What a GREAT game that was! Renewed HOPE! The word for this week is "promise". We'll be looking at quite a few verses, all with the same Greek word translated 'promise'.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. KJV
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. KJV
Romans 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. KJV
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. KJV
Hebrews 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, KJV
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV
1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. KJV
These are the Greek word "epaggelia". Strong's Concordance says: an announcement (for information, assent, or pledge, especially a divine assurance of good). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a promised good or blessing. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: primarily a law term, an undertaking to do or give something. It is used only of the promises of God. It signifies a gift graciously bestowed and not a pledge secured by negotiation. So the promises of God that we find in the Word are sure and certain, because they are HIS! When we find a promise in the Word, it is there for us to grab by faith and fully expect that He will fulfill it! (I love the line in the song 'Oceans' that says: "You've never failed, and You won't start now!") In Romans 4:19-21 above we see that Abraham took a promise from God that seemed to the natural eye to be completely impossible and stood on it until he saw it! He waffled some in his belief, but God is well able to help our unbelief! (Check out Mark 9:23-25) I also love that 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that when there is a delay, it is not because God is 'slack', but that He is patiently working for the very BEST opportunity for US! So, we meditate on the promises with expectant hope and eager anticipation of just HOW He is going to do it, because we KNOW that He WILL! Here is another new song from Hillsong Kids called "Voices of Freedom":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
