Article: God Who Keeps His Promises In The Midst Of Your Uncertainties | Agin John Varghese

“God Who Keeps His Promises In The Midst Of Your Uncertainties”
Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.
-Joshua 21:45 NIV
Joshua, as leader of God’s people, had said this not once, but twice after God brought Israelites safely into the land He promised. This verse clearly explains about a nation’s experience and God’s promises given to them and its fulfilment.
What do “good” promises mean to Israel in this context?
God Almighty made His first covenant with Israel was through Abraham, who became the nation of Israel. Just before He commanded Abraham to proceed from Haran to Canaan, God promised, “I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great” (Gen. 12:2–3).
In the case of the Israelites, God promised to give them “The Promised Land” also known as “The Land of Milk and Honey”. They would find an earthly dwelling place suited for their habitation: fertile for their sustenance, secure for their safety.
It can be noted that all these promises were about the future. We all know how to handle situations in the present scenario with the help of our families, friends, education, our experience, and all other materialistic influences that are a part of our lives at the moment. Most of us follow an average Christian life. However, when our prayers remain unanswered for a while, we become weak and doubt about all the promises God gave us just like the Israelites. How many of us can assure anything about the future? Think!!
God taught me two important lessons that I am sharing
1) We can plan a lot at various stages of our lives about many important matters but the ultimate truth is that only God’s plan will prevail above all the best decisions you made in your entire lifetime even after consulting expertise in every field.
Humans plan a lot about their education, career, family, children, retirement and even about their burial ceremonies! This list can go on extending depending on one’s desires and priorities in this beautiful life God has given us. What does the Word of God teach?
Proverbs 16:9 “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps”.
I used to plan a lot about my future often, but every time I tried hard, I came to understand the fact that somewhere I went wrong because I am unable to attain what I planned. God showered his mercy to make me understand the truth that future is always filled with “may or may not be’s”. First lesson is that lean only on God and his Plans. Israelites took 40 long years to reach the Promised Land. But if anyone who submits all his plans at God’s presence, admit the Sovereignty of God’s plan and give control to the Almighty to take care of every situation, then the journey would be smooth and blessed .
2) “Human help is worthless”. ( Psalm 60:11 )
Throughout the Old Testament history, God would show His judgment against Israel, and cause them to lose battles, have their cities destroyed, allow the enemy to destroy the temple, and even for the Israelites to be taken into captivity. Whatever punishment was given, the Israelites were helpless and saw that humans always have some limitations. Abraham and Sarah were past their natural ability to conceive children. Isaac’s birth required God’s miraculous power. Having God in life gives hope and a blessed future according to His plan but if you lose faith, power of fear will try to dominate all spheres of your life.
Psalm 60:11-12 (NIV) “With God we will gain the victory”

How we react to every circumstance matters in the presence of God
Abraham and Sarah would have faced so many questions from all sources about their decision to follow God’s path that they have to take. When this promise was made, Abraham was but one man – with no child. Abraham obeyed God and he was blessed with Children, Isaac and Ishmael
Israelites took long time to reach the designated place because of their disobedience. There will be divine reasons for the delays in your life. Unanswered prayers can make you lose your faith, prevent you from going to church, read bible or even associating with your loved ones. That is the level of frustration one undergoes when things go in the opposite way than they imagined. Even the born again Christians at this point lose heart and even question their faith and about God’s existence. Some of God’s promises come to pass quickly, even overnight. Others stretch over long periods of time. Every promise that God has given, he appended some conditions to encourage us to walk faithfully before him.

Why Me?
Simple answer to all the questions like did I not pray hard or fast enough? Or long enough? Should I have gotten on my knees? If I had lived better? Did I wait too late? Why in my life all these problems come?
The answer is simple that God accomplishes His sovereign purpose through His free choice and His Grace.
God has His freedom to choose whom He finds favour. He chose Israel over other nation, Abraham over other inhabitants, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau.
“God’s plan is based on His purpose according to His choice, without regard to what people may or may not do, think or even decide. God’s sovereignty is free and no one will be able to thwart His plan”.
Because you are chosen, your life wouldn’t be like others. You have to go through some extreme situation that one cannot imagine. Think about Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David, Job, Paul the Apostle and even our saviour Jesus Christ Himself. The truth is God is preparing you for His greater plan. Believe it; your promises are going to be fulfilled.
Were all the Promises fulfilled?
“All came to pass”: Israelites crossed the Red Sea; the desert had its food and water; Bashan was subdued; Jordan crossed; the whole land possessed. His anointing is not exhausted; He is willing to do what He has promised. And if we faithfully follow on in the way in which He leads us, there will be no good things that will be held back from you and your family.
Isaiah 46:10, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please”.
God’s word and His promises are living and true and have not failed nor will it ever fail. We might have failed God a thousand times, but He has not failed us even once. We are unable to see the greater plan of God because of all the human thoughts taking over the divine plans for our lives. But soon enough all our questions will be answered. Let God’s promises be fulfilled in your lives. Amen.

Agin John Varghese

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