God's Follow-Through: Covenant, Consequence, and Restoration

But the truth is parenting and follow through go hand in hand, and the parents that I've respected and learned from the most over the years were heavy on follow through, both in consequence and promise keeping. Our heavenly father is big on follow through. He is actually the best father when it comes to follow through. You see, when our heavenly father warns of consequences, perk up because he means it, and the consequences will happen if the offense is committed. And when he speaks words of promise, you can lay your life down on those promises literally because they will come to pass. [00:33:33] (42 seconds)  #FollowThroughMatters

But the story doesn't end there because our heavenly father is the god of the covenant, and god promises that he would gather his people together to reestablish them. God promised that he would always be their god and that he would never forsake them. God promised to restore his people, and that's exactly what the Lord does. [00:35:50] (22 seconds)  #GodNeverForsakes

However, he isn't merely praying and asking God to do something, God. No. Nehemiah asked for God to give him success as he meets with the king of Babylon. Nehemiah wants to be used by God. He's a man of vision and leadership and sacrifice. He will go with God's help. He will step out. He will offer his own safety and his integrity. Nehemiah trust in the Lord and was open to being used by God for God's purposes. [00:40:40] (37 seconds)  #GodUseMe

And that's truly amazing because he had a cushy job. He was doing well. He had a fantastic status. He was a member of the royal court. It would have been easy to sit in the luxury that he lived in and say, thank you, Lord, for my blessings. I hope someone can help those four poke those poor folks in Jerusalem. But he doesn't. In fact, he steps out of that luxury and into the promises of God. It would not be easy or comfortable. It would not be the lap of luxury. It would not make him feel very blessed at times, but Nehemiah trusted the Lord. [00:41:16] (38 seconds)  #StepOutInFaith

Amazing because we know how this all ends. No writing, no seal, no recommitment ceremony can wipe out or change our broken nature. These people simply fall away again. The pull to worship idols, to serve the self, to fall into sin, come on, it's greater than their ability to commit to God and follow through on what the covenant demands of them. [00:47:17] (37 seconds)  #WeFallShort

And in light of what we know, we know the whole story. Their little ritual of recommitting themselves, it's almost laughable. I mean, it's sweet, and it is heartfelt. Don't get me wrong. But humanity's broken nature can't be overcome by firm words of commitment or by promises to God. Lord, I'll never do that again. How many of you said it? Just me, I guess. But they can't keep up their side of the bargain, their side of the covenant. No. Their hope and salvation rests in the good father who follows through on his promises. Amen? [00:47:54] (42 seconds)  #NotByOurPromises

The birth of a savior Jesus. He is God's promise breaking in on us because we need it. Jesus completes and fulfills, listen to me, both sides of the covenant. He is the son of God and the son of man. And Jesus completes, fulfills both sides of the covenant in one person. He fulfills our side of the covenant by fulfilling the law on our behalf. [00:50:02] (31 seconds)  #JesusCompletesCovenant

Our good father reconciles us and then invites us to be ambassadors to live out the ministry of reconciliation, of forgiveness, and grace, and mercy, and love to others. Come on. Isn't this good? This is our father. This is our heavenly father. This is the god of follow through, eternal and complete follow through that will never end. His love takes hold. His follow through is forever. [00:53:33] (48 seconds)  #MinistryOfReconciliation