37 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
37 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
|
|
<html>
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
|
|
Day By Day By Grace
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">
|
|
Bob Hoekstra
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
July 5
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="main-just">
|
|
<div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h1>God's Ability and His Promises</h1>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>Ah, Lord God! Behold, <b>You</b> have <b>made</b> the <b>heavens</b> and the <b>earth</b>…There is <b>nothing too hard for You</b>…" Behold, I am the LORD, the <b>God</b> of <b>all flesh</b>. Is there <b>anything too hard for Me</b>?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer', 32, '17-17');">Jeremiah 32:17</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Jer', 32, '27-27');">27</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>In recent days, we have meditated upon many of the strategic promises of God. When considering promises, the ability of the one making the promises is a vital concern. If we examine <b>God's ability and His promises</b> with an open heart, growth in faith will always be the result. In our present verses, God's promise-keeping ability is assured by His role in creation and by His rule over mankind.</p>
|
|
<p>How able is God to fulfill His promises? Jeremiah answers this by confessing God as the creator of the universe. <i>"Ah, Lord God! Behold, <b>You</b> have <b>made</b> the <b>heavens</b> and the <b>earth</b> by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is <b>nothing too hard for You</b>."</i> Because God was able to create everything, we can be assured He is able to do what He promises. <i>"In the beginning <b>God created</b> the <b>heavens</b> and the <b>earth</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 1, '1-1');">Genesis 1:1</a>). He was able to do this merely by His spoken word. <i>"God said, '<b>Let there be</b> light'; <b>and there was</b> light" …"Then God said, '<b>Let there be</b> a firmament in the midst of the waters'…<b>and it was so</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gen', 1, '3-3');">Genesis 1:3</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Gen', 1, '6-7');">6-7</a>). The Psalmist understood the proper response to such a great God. <i>"By the <b>word</b> of the <b>LORD</b> the <b>heavens</b> were <b>made</b>, And all the <b>host</b> of them by the <b>breath</b> of His <b>mouth</b>…Let <b>all</b> the earth <b>fear the LORD</b>; Let <b>all</b> the inhabitants of the world <b>stand in awe of Him</b>. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 33, '6-6');">Psalm 33:6</a>, <a onClick="return mV('Psa', 33, '8-9');">8-9</a>). When our God, the Creator of heaven and earth, speaks forth His promises, we should bow before Him and say with Jeremiah, <i>"There is <b>nothing too hard for You</b>."</i></p>
|
|
<p>Our confidence in God's ability to keep His promises is further strengthened by His rhetorical question addressed to Jeremiah. <i>"Behold, I am the LORD, the <b>God</b> of <b>all flesh</b>. Is there <b>anything too hard for Me</b>?"</i> Our God not only created the universe, He is the ruler of all humanity. The Psalmist also saw this truth. <i>"The <b>LORD</b> brings the <b>counsel</b> of the <b>nations</b> to <b>nothing</b>; He makes the <b>plans</b> of the <b>peoples</b> of <b>no effect</b>. The <b>counsel</b> of the <b>LORD</b> stands <b>forever</b>, The <b>plans</b> of His <b>heart</b> to <b>all generations</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 33, '10-11');">Psalm 33:10-11</a>). When our God, the ruler of all nations, addresses His promises to us, we can respond rhetorically, <i>"Is there <b>anything too hard for</b></i> [<b>Him</b>]<i>?"</i></p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Ah, Lord God, You are the creator of all the universe, and You are the ruler of all mankind. Surely, You are able to do everything that You have ever promised. Nothing is too difficult for you!</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center">
|
|
<div class="pad2020">
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/07/0704.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/07/0706.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a>
|
|
</div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|