QUICK BITE: THE FULL PROMISE AND THE COMPLETE GOSPEL | Ribi Kenneth, UAE
“Yes, God promise” is a nostalgic statement that coloured our everyday childhood. It was periodically our parent’s loving assurance statement of a reward they would get us if we achieved something good, like scoring well in exams or completing a set home chore. Oftentimes, it was our comforting message to our “best friends” that you would be there for them when they are in a difficult situation.
But we all are mindful that should one of the sides fail to keep the role, the promise is broken and cannot be completed.
God’s promises are our daily source of direction and encouragement to carry on each day. But every promise has a guarantee to reach its fulfilment when the particular condition is met. If the conditions are eluded, the promise will not be active, or it is considered non-binding.
So, let’s consider the promise in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” It brings great inducement and strength in us knowing we will be taken care of by God. The truth part is that Jesus is the good Shepherd, and the promise is that of daily provision. The question for the fulfilment is: are we His sheep? A Shepherd feeds His own flock. If we are of any other flock, the promise is not applicable. Worse yet, if we role-model as a wolf, other promises may be applicable and we face adverse implications from the Shepherd.
But we may ask, “I am born again, I go to Church, I labour hard, can we be not of His fold?” Jesus always confronted the Pharisees, who were flawless in these acts. John 10:26 advises us to do a daily check, “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” And if we do, surely the promise continues to assure in verse 28, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
The promise is that Jesus is the good shepherd. The question is: are you His sheep? Let our prayer then harmonise with David in Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
Ribi Kenneth
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