God keeps his promises

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:21

Written by James Dean

We make promises all the time. As a dad I often make promises to my children: "I'll be there in a minute," "I'll pick you up at 8pm," "Yes, we'll go to Florida again (one day)."

I don't make promises lightly - I intend to keep them. But every time a promise leaves my lips my reputation is put on the line. Will I be able to fulfill what I've said I will do? If I come through, my reputation is retained and I'm considered trustworthy; but what if I don't? What if I break my promise? If that happens once or twice they may let me off - I'm not perfect after all. But what if I never keep my promises? Will they ever believe anything I say?

We don't have to worry about the faithfulness of our heavenly Father. He is utterly faithful. He's never made a promise that he hasn't kept. Right at the beginning of Genesis he promised that he would send a Saviour; he repeated that promise through the prophets and finally we have the record of God keeping that promise in the Christmas story.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
(Micah 5:2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7)

In this second week of Advent we remember and rejoice that God is faithful and kept his promise to send a rescuer, exactly as he said he would. Hallelujah!

The King is coming!

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:19

Written by James Dean

The way the calendar works out Sundays this year means that, even though we're still in November, yesterday was actually the first Sunday of Advent. That's as good an excuse as any and might help explain why we have already put up our Christmas tree!

The nation's attention is gripped by the impending rush to buy gifts and every television advert is now clamouring to gain your attention in the hope you'll want to buy their products.

Anticipation of "the big day" will continue to build over the coming weeks but, as hard as it may be, I hope that you'll not get swept up in the world's view of Christmas but instead you'll take time to pause and remind yourself of what we're really celebrating.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and enquired carefully, enquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:8-13

God's people were anticipating the coming of the Messiah. They were hoping for God to fulfil His promise to Israel, but they had set their expectations far too low.

They were hoping for a hero figure to come and release them from the oppression of the Roman empire; God was sending His only Son to save sinners from the power of hell itself.

The King is coming!