Word of Encouragement (8/26/2020)

Yesterday, we mentioned the kinds of promises that will be fulfilled in the future, in the next generation or in the generations to come. We may not like such promises; we want our prayers answered right away. But, if God gives such promises, it must be because they are good for us. That is why, today, we want to consider some benefits of such promises, which Spurstowe mentions.

“First, they support us during our present troubles. With the promises of future grace in hand, we are assured of our present safety…. How can the church of God, the only rightful heir (under Christ) to God’s promises, ever be destroyed as long as those promises remain to be inherited? Clearly, the church will survive to see every one of those promises fulfilled in its midst (Isa. 46:11b ‘I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it’)” (p. 29). It is like watching a movie and seeing the protagonist in a grave danger at the beginning (or middle) of the movie. Though we get engrossed in the story (if the movie is good) and fear for his/her life, we know deep inside that s/he cannot die—at least, not until the very end, even if it happens to be a tragedy. But we are part of a divine comedy (i.e., a story with a happy ending). “Until our work is done, we are immortal.”

“Second, the promises of future blessing are the bedrock of prayers that we make on behalf of the church. Spurstowe writes, ‘True it is, that the times and seasons when these things shall be, are unknown to [us]… but yet knowing that he who has promised, is faithful, [we] do with delight plead them in [our] prayers, and with faith embrace them in [our] arms’” (p. 29).

“Third, these promises test the sincerity of a believer’s affection and love for God’s glory and the welfare of His church” (p. 29). It is easy to love God only for what He can do for us in our lifetime. This is not necessarily wrong. After all, God delights in doing what is good for us. But we cannot call this a mature faith. A mature faith loves God for who He is and delights in seeing God rightly magnified above all things. A mature faith can, and does, pray for big things because it knows how great God is. But, even more so, a mature faith desires, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

“Finally, the promises of future blessing comfort believers regarding their posterity…. Spurstowe says, ‘Believers may comfortably hope, that what promises [they] themselves to fall short of, their posterity shall in one kind or other be partakers of’” (p. 30). God’s grace never runs out. He has apportioned to each generation how much blessing He wants to bestow according to the riches of His grace. We can be sure that our next generation will not lack whatever blessing they need not only to survive but also to thrive!

Have a blessed day as a true and living hope thrills your soul!