Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Acts 3:22 "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.'"
ADVENT ACTIONS: KEEPING PROMISES
Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? That's a silly question, right? Anyone who has had a parent make a promise to play ball after work, draw or color that picture, or not be late to pick a child up from school or other event, has more than likely broken promises. We always hope that broken promises are unintentional -- just as much as we rejoice that promises kept are done on purpose, showing the care and concern between the parent and child, siblings, friends, or whatever the meeting may be.
The early Apostles we learn of in the book of Acts continued to remind Jews and Gentiles alike of the promises that the one true God had made for thousands of years. Promises that God would MOST CERTAINLY keep without question. And Advent is all about promises. God's promises!
God promised a Savior after the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. God continued to remind Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all those after them -- right up to the fulfillment of that promise, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus was the promised Prophet who Peter told the people had come and had been crucified for their sins -- as well as ours! God's care and concern kept His promise to pay the price for our sins by sacrificing His own Son, Jesus Christ, for us.
We've made promises too. We have made promises both to God and to like-minded Christ-believers. I remember my confirmation promise that "I would rather suffer all, even death itself, rather than fall away from God's Word of truth!" Hebrews 6:11-12 encourages, "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
Trust in the promises of God our Savior. Faithfully hear and hold and live them!
