Word of Encouragement (9/8/2020)
Starting today, we want to talk about “the right use of God’s promises.” This involves three things: 1) believing them; 2) applying them; and 3) praying them. Today, we will briefly talk about the first one: believing the promises of God.
We have already mentioned the importance of faith in relation to God’s promise. “Andrew Gray says the unspeakable gain that flows to a Christian through the promises is enjoyed through the act of believing them…” (p. 56). Because the One who has given us the promises is faithful, they are as good as done. There is a sense in which we already possess them: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (Eph. 1:3). But possessing something is not the same thing as enjoying it. We have received God’s promises by His grace but we can enjoy them only by faith.
What does it mean to believe in God’s promises?
“William Spurstowe cautions us not to rest in ‘a general faith, which goes no further than to give a naked assent unto the promises of the Gospel as true; but does not put forth itself to receive and embrace them as good….’ True faith yields assent to the truth of the promise so that it might draw near to Christ and embrace the fruit of the promise, casting itself on Him for life and happiness” (p. 58, emphasis mine).
As an example of “naked assent,” the authors mention “the assenting faith of the devil” (Matt. 8:29). We cannot forget what James says: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19)! A dramatic example of the trusting faith is Peter, stepping out of the boat in the midst of a storm and walking toward Jesus on water (at least, until he saw the wind and began to sink)! Another example is the centurion, who asked Jesus to heal his servant but also said to Him, who was on His way, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matt. 8:8). This made Jesus marvel at his faith! How amazing it is that we can bring that kind of pleasure to our Lord by a simple faith!
How are we responding to God’s promises? “If the promises of God are His hand of bounty to us, nothing is more essential in life than to know what they are and how to profit from them” (pp. 53-54). Would you take some time today, preferably this morning, to read God’s Word and what promises it gives? Would you think about how you can embrace them as your own so you can enjoy them?