Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 28, 2021
THIS WEEK: Lead Me to the Cross…See the Ladder…Find God & His Promises!
No one likes to return to a volatile situation until the situation is stabilized.
No one likes to be with someone who is going to give up before the task is done.
Both take commitment. Not something we all have.
But God does.
Jacob was on the run from home because his life was being threatened. As much as perhaps he wanted to return home, he knew the situation was too volatile.
Imagine what you would have thought when God promised, “I will bring you back to this land” (Genesis 28:15). Maybe I don’t want to come back. In fact 20 years later Jacob was still afraid of Esau and whether the situation was at peace. While hesitant, that encounter went like this:
Genesis 33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
God’s promise wasn’t just to bring Jacob back, but by bringing him back meant the relationship with Esau was restored and again at peace. It was safe to be back in the land he had left.
Can you remember what you promised 20 years ago? Perhaps with the exception of your promise to remain faithful to your spouse, not much, right? Many promises we give up on or don’t complete after a much shorter time.
But God doesn’t.
He doesn’t forget or give up on his promise.
“I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
God would not forget what he promised and would not fail to fulfill his promise. God doesn’t give up or quit on his promises.
God did bring Jacob back to the land and restore the relationship with Esau. But God didn’t leave Jacob, because he still had the other promises to continue to fulfill. God would be with Jacob for his lifetime.
These final two promises are true for us as well.
We wouldn’t want to return to a situation that is volatile. If our relationship with God was still broken because of sin and we lived under the threat of eternal punishment, would you want to be where God is? Absolutely not! Like a child who knows they are in trouble, we would try to avoid and hide from God.
So when Jesus promises, (John 14:3) “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” it means the relationship is not governed by condemnation and punishment, but by love and forgiveness. It’s OK to be in Jesus’ presence because our relationship with God has been restored.
When Jesus promises, “I will be with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), it tells us God isn’t giving up on us until all his promises have been fulfilled. God will make sure every promise he made to you will be fulfilled.
This is an amazing list of promises. Here’s a chart to remind you, better than that to build up and guide your faith. First given to Jacob, each promise is real for us as well!
| Promise | Jacob | Us |
| Place | I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. | In my Father’s house are many rooms; …I am going there to prepare a place for you. (Jn 14:2) |
| People | 4 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, | …before me was a great multitude that no one could count, …standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Rev. 7:9 |
| Purpose | All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. | Mt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, |
| Presence | I am with you and | Mt 28:20 …surely I am with you always, |
| Protection | will watch over you wherever you go | Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
|
| Peace | I will bring you back to this land. | Jn 14:3 I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. |
| Perseverance | I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” | Mt 28:20 …to the very end of the age.” |
Apply: Which promise do you need most today? Read and reread it. Better yet, live by it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the promises you have made to me. Thank you also committing to never leave me until you have done everything you promised. AMEN.