Faith and Assurance: God's Unbreakable Promises

 

Summary

In moments of solitude and uncertainty, the Word of God becomes our anchor. If I were in solitary confinement and could choose only one book, it would be the Bible, and specifically, the book of Hebrews, for its profound christology and its encapsulation of both the Old and New Testaments. However, if I had to choose just one chapter, it would be Genesis 15, which we explored today. This chapter reveals God's promise to Abram, a promise that transcends human understanding and speaks directly to the heart of faith.

Abram, like many of us, faced moments of doubt and solitude. He had left everything familiar to follow God's call, and in his solitude, God appeared to him with a promise: "Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceedingly great reward." Despite this divine assurance, Abram questioned what God could give him, as he remained childless. This reflects a common human struggle—seeking tangible evidence of God's promises amidst our trials.

God's response to Abram was not just a promise of a son but a vision of countless descendants, as numerous as the stars. Abram's faith in this promise was counted to him as righteousness, illustrating the essence of justifying faith—not merely believing in God, but believing God. This faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, as it was for Abram.

The covenant God made with Abram was sealed in a dramatic and symbolic act. God instructed Abram to prepare a sacrifice, and then, in a vision, God passed between the pieces of the sacrifice as a smoking furnace and a burning lamp. This act was God's way of swearing by Himself, the highest possible assurance, that His promises would be fulfilled. It was a divine oath that if He failed to keep His promise, He would cease to be God—a profound assurance of His faithfulness.

This covenantal promise extends to us today. When we face doubts and challenges, we can hold onto the certainty that God's promises are unbreakable. Our faith, like Abram's, is often mixed with doubt, but God's commitment to His word remains steadfast. In our journey of faith, we are called to trust in God's promises, knowing that He has staked His very being on their fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power of God's Word: In times of solitude and uncertainty, the Bible serves as a source of truth and sustenance. It is not just a book of stories but a living testament of God's promises and faithfulness. [00:20]

- Faith Beyond Belief: True faith is not just believing in God's existence but trusting in His promises. Abram's faith was counted as righteousness because he believed God's promise, despite his circumstances. This is the essence of justifying faith. [08:06]

- God's Unbreakable Covenant: The covenant God made with Abram, symbolized by the smoking furnace and burning lamp, is a powerful assurance of His faithfulness. God swore by Himself, the highest assurance, that His promises would be fulfilled. [23:28]

- Facing Doubts with Faith: Like Abram, we may struggle with doubts, but God's promises remain steadfast. Our faith journey involves trusting in God's word, even when circumstances seem contrary. [11:41]

- The Assurance of God's Promises: God's commitment to His promises is so profound that He staked His very being on their fulfillment. This assurance invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that His word is unbreakable. [25:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - The Bible as Our Anchor
- [00:36] - The Book of Hebrews
- [01:20] - Genesis 15: A Chapter of Promise
- [02:01] - God's Assurance to Abram
- [03:18] - Abram's Doubt and God's Promise
- [05:21] - The Desire for an Heir
- [06:46] - God's Vision of Descendants
- [08:06] - Faith Counted as Righteousness
- [10:37] - The Nature of Justifying Faith
- [11:41] - Struggling with Doubt
- [13:08] - The Covenant Ceremony
- [17:53] - The Significance of Genesis 15:17
- [20:03] - Understanding Covenants
- [23:28] - God's Assurance Through Covenant
- [25:51] - Trusting in God's Promises

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 15:1-21

Observation Questions:
1. What was God's initial promise to Abram in Genesis 15, and how did Abram respond to it? [02:01]
2. How did God visually confirm His covenant with Abram, and what was the significance of this act? [18:21]
3. What was Abram's main concern regarding God's promise, and how did God address it? [06:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean that Abram's faith was "counted to him as righteousness," and how does this concept relate to the New Testament understanding of faith? [08:06]
2. How does the covenant ceremony in Genesis 15 illustrate the seriousness of God's promises? What does this tell us about God's character? [23:28]
3. In what ways does Abram's struggle with doubt reflect common human experiences of faith and uncertainty? [11:41]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt alone or uncertain. How did you find comfort or assurance in God's promises during that time? [02:23]
2. Abram questioned what God could give him since he was childless. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to see God's promises fulfilled? How can you trust God in those areas? [05:21]
3. The covenant God made with Abram was a profound assurance of His faithfulness. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness in your daily life? [23:28]
4. Abram's faith was counted as righteousness because he believed God. How can you cultivate a faith that goes beyond mere belief in God's existence to trusting His promises? [08:06]
5. When faced with doubts, how can you practically hold onto the certainty of God's promises? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in challenging times? [11:41]
6. God's commitment to His promises is so profound that He staked His very being on their fulfillment. How does this assurance impact your trust in God, and how can it influence your decisions and actions this week? [25:51]
7. Consider the covenantal relationship you have with God. How can you live out this relationship in a way that reflects trust and commitment to His promises? [26:22]

Devotional

Day 1: The Bible as Our Anchor
In times of solitude and uncertainty, the Bible serves as a steadfast anchor, providing truth and sustenance. It is not merely a collection of stories but a living testament of God's promises and faithfulness. When we find ourselves in moments of doubt or isolation, turning to the Word of God can offer clarity and hope. The Bible, with its rich tapestry of narratives and teachings, reminds us of God's unwavering presence and His commitment to His people. It is a source of comfort and guidance, encouraging us to hold fast to our faith even when circumstances seem overwhelming. [00:20]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you turn to the Bible for guidance and encouragement, and how will you make time to do so?


Day 2: Faith Beyond Belief
True faith transcends mere belief in God's existence; it involves trusting in His promises. Abram's faith was counted as righteousness because he believed God's promise, despite his circumstances. This illustrates the essence of justifying faith—not just believing in God, but believing God. Such faith requires us to trust in God's word and His character, even when we cannot see the fulfillment of His promises. It challenges us to move beyond intellectual assent to a deep, personal trust in God's faithfulness and His plan for our lives. [08:06]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a promise of God that you find difficult to trust fully. What steps can you take today to deepen your trust in this promise?


Day 3: God's Unbreakable Covenant
The covenant God made with Abram, symbolized by the smoking furnace and burning lamp, is a powerful assurance of His faithfulness. By swearing by Himself, God provided the highest assurance that His promises would be fulfilled. This covenantal act underscores the unbreakable nature of God's word and His commitment to His people. It serves as a reminder that God's promises are not contingent on human actions but are rooted in His unchanging nature. As we reflect on this covenant, we are invited to rest in the certainty of God's faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His word. [23:28]

"For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself." (Hebrews 6:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's unbreakable promises in moments of doubt or fear today?


Day 4: Facing Doubts with Faith
Like Abram, we may struggle with doubts, but God's promises remain steadfast. Our faith journey involves trusting in God's word, even when circumstances seem contrary. Doubt is a natural part of the human experience, yet it is in these moments of uncertainty that our faith can grow deeper. By choosing to trust in God's promises, we affirm our belief in His goodness and His plan for our lives. This trust is not blind but is rooted in the knowledge of God's past faithfulness and His unchanging character. [11:41]

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one doubt you are currently facing, and how can you actively choose to trust God in this area today?


Day 5: The Assurance of God's Promises
God's commitment to His promises is so profound that He staked His very being on their fulfillment. This assurance invites us to trust Him fully, knowing that His word is unbreakable. The certainty of God's promises provides a foundation for our faith, offering hope and confidence in His plan for our lives. As we reflect on the depth of God's commitment, we are encouraged to live with boldness and trust, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has promised. This assurance is a call to deepen our relationship with God, resting in the knowledge that His word is true and His promises are sure. [25:51]

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live out the assurance of God's promises in your daily actions and decisions today?

Quotes


I've said on several occasions that if I were put in prison solitary confinement and was allowed to have one book at my disposal the book that I would want would be what book The Bible the word of God I wouldn't be looking for entertainment I would be looking for Truth for something that would sustain me in that kind of a deprived human situation. [00:09:32]

Abram, like many of us, faced moments of doubt and solitude. He had left everything familiar to follow God's call, and in his solitude, God appeared to him with a promise: "Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceedingly great reward." Despite this divine assurance, Abram questioned what God could give him, as he remained childless. [00:115:60]

God's response to Abram was not just a promise of a son but a vision of countless descendants, as numerous as the stars. Abram's faith in this promise was counted to him as righteousness, illustrating the essence of justifying faith—not merely believing in God, but believing God. This faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, as it was for Abram. [00:396:68]

Abraham believed God and it was counted or reckoned to him for righteousness. There's the gospel in the Old Testament. In fact, it's the line that Paul goes back to in the Book of Romans when he is trying to explain to the Roman Christians what justification by faith is all about. [00:486:84]

It's one thing to believe intellectually that there is a God that all that qualifies you to be is a demon, James tells us. It's another thing to believe God, that is to put your trust in what God says. That's what justifying faith is all about and it comes to believing in the promise. [00:547:44]

Abraham says, "Hey I believe you God if you say I'm going to be the father of a great nation, if you say I'm going to have a son, I'm going to have a son. I believe you and I'm going to live on the basis of that trust." And the next part of the verse and God counted it to Abraham as righteousness. [00:579:24]

Abraham wasn't righteous but he had faith in the promise that God made. One of those descendants was the bright and Morning Star, one of those that would come from that line of Abraham was Jesus. And we were told in the New Testament if we believe in Jesus in the sense in trusting him, it is also counted to us for righteousness. [00:601:24]

Our faith is always mixed with unbelief, a lack of trust, a lack of certainty about what God has promised and Abraham's no different. He said how can I know for sure, and God said okay you want to know for sure. Now here's my favorite part of this chapter. [00:761:44]

God is saying by this dramatic action of moving through the pieces, "Abraham you want to know for sure if I'm going to keep my promise, you want to know if I'm going to keep this Covenant that I have made with you. I'll pass myself through those pieces because in doing that here's what I'm saying." [01:410:72]

Abraham if I don't keep my promise may I be cut in Sunder just like these animals are ripped apart. Now let me ask you this, is it possible for God to be be cut in half? God is indivisible, God is immutable, God is eternal, the power of being resides within himself, he is indestructible. [01:422:40]

The author of Hebrews looks back at this and says because God could swear by no greater he swore by himself. You know when I swear I say do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, not the truth so help you God. I swear by God or you know in the Old Testament they swear by the heavens. [01:1483:79]

The point dear friends is this, that God has staked his being on This Promise, his deity is on the line, the very essence of his makeup as God is put on the line to Abraham saying God or Abraham if I don't keep my word to you I cease being God. [01:1532:32]

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Transcript
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