Steadfast Love

Series: Changes

Steadfast Love

2 Samuel 7:12-23

Any Mother or Father of children, especially multiple children can struggle with making promises, especially promises that might be difficult down the road. Since I raised 4 children and I have 8 grandchildren in time instead of a promise, I chose to say, “I will do my best.”

2 Samuel 7:12-16 tells us in the Old Testament , “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

Instead of saying ‘I will do my best’ God made a solemn promise to those who turn to him. There is some debate among believers but I believe if someone turns to God and really believes one time God will accept that promise forever.

I did not come to that belief easily.

I struggled when I was in Seminary because we were given assignments to establish our system of belief between us and God. Everyone who took that same class had to wrestle with the same question.

Basically we had to fervently pray and grapple important questions that arise when studying theology.

For example:

Who is God: Exodus 34:5-6

How does God help (relate to) us: Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 33:27a

Who is Jesus: John 1:14, Revelation 22:13, John 11:25

Who is the Holy Spirit: John 14:16, Romans 8:26-27

How do we come to God: John 1:12, Romans 10:13

How do we know we are going to heaven: John 1:12, Romans 10:9

What does it mean to believe in God: Hebrews 11:1

Then we had to back up our belief with scriptures and our own experiences with God. It may have very well been the most difficult assignments I was given (well except Hebrew Language finals) because it was about what I believed.

So the ultimate question for you is, What do you believe?

That is an open ended perpetual question for every person. When we wrestle and ask God for help, God will help us (but it can take time). Our assurance that God will answer is always…but we need to listen and watch for the movement of the Spirit. It helps to know about your spiritual gifts (one of mine is dreams and visions). Watch and wait…

In Jesus, Deborah

acrazyjourney.com