His promise fulfilled

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:29-30 (NIV)

29 Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried and His tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Good morning!

First impressions can be lasting impressions, especially in young children. Yesterday afternoon at Andrew’s second birthday party, my eight-year old grandson Jett walked in the front door, grinning from ear to ear. I was sitting on the sofa near some dear friends, who had driven a long way to celebrate Andrew’s birthday with our family. Bob and Gerry had adopted our children and loved them as their very own when we lived in Salem, Missouri. They were there when our first grandson, Jett James, was born, and it had been almost five years since they had seen Jett. He walked over to the sofa where I sat. I pointed to Bob and Gerry and asked Jett if he remembered who they were. Bob looked at me, shaking his head, and said, “It has been way too long. He hasn’t seen us in years.” I watched a little light bulb light up Jett’s happy face. “I remember,” he said enthusiastically. “We played with the frogs in your back yard.” Bob and Gerry were amazed that even after five years, Jett remembered his very first visit to their home when he was three years old. You see, real love has a way of sticking with you and leaving its impressive mark through the years.

Children do not often forget the promises their parents make. And they will hold them to it, even when hearts are hurt by broken promises. There is an everlasting hope between a father and son - real love will stand the storms of time; it will last when nothing else does. When David turned from His Father’s love, he knew he could count on His Father’s Word; God's oath is rock solid.

Here's the thing with the real love that exists between our Heavenly Father and all His children. God never breaks His Word. His oath is our sure foundation and reason for living. Human hearts have a way of breaking their promises, leaving scars that can last a lifetime. Our perfect and heavenly Father does not make an oath that He will not keep. His Word is sure. David knew it, long after he broke the Father’s heart when he chose to sin with Bathsheba. The Father forgave David, yet, David’s choice carried a lifetime of consequences as seen in the many generations that followed. David knew in his heart that God had promised him on oath that one of his descendants would be seated on the throne. And never forgot it, as long as he lived.

What promises has the Lord God Almighty made to you? Have you forgotten the Father’s oath over you and your descendants? I remembered a promise God whispered into my heart long ago as I gave birth to each of my three children. I am holding on to His hope that He will do what He has promised in my life and in the lives of my children and grandchildren and their descendants. Isn’t it good to know today that even when we fail, God’s love never fails. Even if our words are worthless, His Word is worthy and true. When we break the promises we make, God’s keeps His promises – they do not change and we can count on His Truth today, tomorrow and forever.

The Father kept His oath to David and to each and every one of us, when He sent His only Son Jesus, to redeem us from our own failed promises and human brokenness. He is the Lord, and is worthy of all our praise! May the Holy Spirit fall in tongues of flame today touching our lives with His Word, as we celebrate a brand new Pentecost! I’ll see you today at Faith Church.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

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