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Some promises
God makes are not fulfilled for a long time. Three promises God made to
Abraham are an example of this.
The first
promise was that Abraham and Sarah would have a child born to them (Gen.
17:15-21). Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 89 – past the years of
child bearing.
Isaac was
born out of due season because God has the power to do what He promises
(Gen. 21:1-3). The apostle Paul records that Abraham believed God was able
to fulfill all of His promises. Read Romans 4:13-21.
Another
promise God made to Abraham was that the land of Canaan would be given to
his descendants (Gen. 15:18). This promise would be postponed for 400 years
(Gen. 15:13,14). This promise was fulfilled when Joshua led Israel to
conquer the land of Canaan (Joshua 23:14).
The third
promise God gave to Abraham was that "in thee shall all families of the
earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:1-3). This promise was fulfilled in Christ about
1800 years later (Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:16). That blessing comes to us
through faith (Galatians 3:14, 29). We are blessed with Abraham (Galatians
3:7-9). "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise" (Galatians
4;28).
God’s
promises to Abraham demonstrate to us that God fulfills all of His promises
in the time He has in mind. Therefore we can trust the future promises God
has given us. We have experienced the promises God gives us in this life
when we are faithful to Him (Revelation 2:10,11).
Harvey
Childress, servant of Jesus Christ |
