PROMISE

 

Write From My Heart

September 19, 2021

PROMISE  agreement to do or not do something; basis for expectation

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

            Written record of God’s promises begin back in the days of Noah. At that time, God promised:

Genesis 8:21 and 9:11 (NIV) “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. [and] “Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

            Yes, the earth still endures periodic flooding, but never of the scope and magnitude that would wipe out all living creatures both animal and human upon the whole face of the earth. Yet we have been warned the earth will one day be completely destroyed, however the next time it will be by all-consuming fires of judgement not water.

2 Peter 3:10, 12 (NIV)  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief [e.g., unexpectedly]. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. … That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

            Yet in God’s ultimate glory and excellence, he made another promise:

Titus 1:1-3 (NLT)  I [Paul] have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone.

            God’s promises not only tell us what he will not do [i.e., destroy the earth again by water], but his promises also clearly tell us what he will do [i.e., destroy the earth by all-consuming fire]. How comforting to know that God’s promises also set the basis for expectation of blessed hope.

2 Peter 3:13 (NIV) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.