|
Promises, Promises
by Karin Paparelli
A few weeks ago my six year old son got into some trouble at school.
Nothing serious, but there were three incidents that happened within a
short span of time. My husband and I handled the situation swiftly with
appropriate reprimands. But I noticed that my son did not seem to be himself.
He is usually silly and active, always smiling. I noticed his smile was
gone. I sat on his bed one afternoon to talk to him. What he said exposed
the devil for what he truly is a liar and accuser.
My young son had been wrestling with ideas that were not only untrue but
they were also creating distance between us and between him and God. He
believed that God would not forgive him, that God did not love him and
that I did not love him either. He also believed that he was a bad kid
and that is all he will ever be. Remember this is a six year old! The
battle is growing more fierce my friends and Satan's targets are getting
younger and younger. I found myself arguing with him and becoming exasperated.
I couldn't seem to break through. Then I took out the word of God and
fought the devil with the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
I read out loud from 1 John that once we confess our sins, God is faithful
to forgive us. I read John 3:16 and reaffirmed the love of God for my
son. As I read the scriptures I could feel the air clear in the room.
The confusion had lifted. My son was once again safe in the promises of
God.
It became an excellent lesson on spiritual warfare, as I shared the importance
of using our shield of faith. Faith says that I believe that God loves
me. Faith says that if I confess my sins God will forgive me. The battle
is intense. Are you armed? When those flaming arrows come your way do
you hold up your shield of faith? For each of us the attack will differ,
but the winning strategy remains the same. First we need to know the promises
of God in His word and then we need to go to the word when the enemy accuses.
Have you ever made a promise that you didn't keep? I suppose most of us
have at one time or another. We have the best intentions, but for some
unforseen reason we are unable to follow through. How about being on the
receiving end of a broken promise? Been there too, not much fun. In either
case I have Good News for you. The promises that God makes He is faithful
to keep!
There is very little we can rely upon completely in this life, which is
why it is so comforting to know that God's promises are true. If He has
promised it, He shall be faithful to His word. The promises of God become
part of our foundation of faith. This is our shield of faith with which
we extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy. Those flaming arrows challenge
our faith. Just as Satan questioned Eve in the Garden of Eden, they ask
"Did God really say...?". Satan is referred to as the accuser,
so what do you think he does? Accuses day and night. You can just hear
those subtle whispers, "God can never forgive you for that, or You
think He can use you for ministry? or you will never amount to anything,
or you can't quit smoking, drinking ..." You get the idea. Those
flaming arrows are arrows of accusations meant to discredit God and shake
your faith. But the word of God says in Ephesians 6:16 that it is with
the shield of faith that all of the flaming arrows of the evil one are
extinguished. Now that's a promise!
So what has God promised to Us? Well we could never cover all of the promises
of God here but here are a few to get you going. Eternal life is promised
to those that believe in Jesus Christ. According to John 3:16 "...whoever
believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life."
What about salvation for your loved ones, your family? There is a promise
in the word of God that we should all rely upon when praying for our relatives.
It is Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved
- you and your household." And forgiveness, we know that if we confess
our sins that God is faithful to forgive us. How about for the unbeliever,
Is there any hope for old Uncle Joe or is it just too late? What does
the word of God say about him? 1 Peter 3:9 "He (God) is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting everyone to come to repentance."
There's also 1Timothy2:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ezekiel 18:21,22 the list
goes on. What about prayer? Do our prayers really count for anything or
are we just speaking to the air? Jesus said, "If you believe, you
will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22. There
is also 1John 5:14, 15, Jeremiah 29:12, and Job 22:27 says , "You
will pray to him, and he will hear you..." What about James 5:16,
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." There
are promises of protection, love, guidance, hope, wisdom, peace... I'm
sure you know of many others too. Let's be diligent to use them.
We war not against flesh and bones but against the spiritual forces of
wickedness in heavenly places. Be strong, be courageous, be alert. The
Day is drawing near, that great and terrible day of the Lord. Put on the
full armor of God. Hold up your shield of faith, know the word of God
and use it; for it is a mighty weapon, sharper than any double edged sword...
May you walk in His grace. Thy kingdom come!
|