God's Unbreakable Promises: Trusting in His Truth

Devotional

Day 1: The Infallibility of God's Promises

In a world where human fallibility is evident, the distinction between human and divine truth becomes crucial. Humans, even those we admire, are capable of deceit, which can erode trust in relationships. However, God's nature is fundamentally different; He cannot lie. This truth is the foundation of our faith, providing a reliable anchor in a world of uncertainty. God's promises are unbreakable, offering us a model of trustworthiness that we can aspire to in our own lives. This assurance of God's infallibility is a source of hope and stability, reminding us that His word is a firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. [03:43]

Numbers 23:19 (ESV): "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

Reflection: Consider a promise you have made but struggled to keep. How can you seek God's help to become more trustworthy in your commitments today?

Day 2: Trust as the Cornerstone of Relationships

Trust is the bedrock of all meaningful relationships, built on the promises we make and keep. In our personal lives, the integrity of our word is crucial for fostering trust and connection. God's promises serve as the ultimate example of unbreakable commitments, offering us a model to emulate. By striving to uphold truth in our interactions, we reflect the divine nature of God in our relationships. This commitment to truth and integrity not only strengthens our bonds with others but also aligns us with God's character, providing a pathway to deeper, more authentic connections. [08:10]

Proverbs 12:22 (ESV): "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight."

Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life where trust has been broken. What steps can you take today to begin rebuilding that trust?

Day 3: Faith Amidst Doubt

Abraham's journey of faith, despite his initial doubts, serves as a powerful model for believers. Faith is not the absence of doubt but the decision to trust God despite uncertainty. Abraham's belief in God's promise was counted as righteousness, illustrating that faith is a choice to trust in God's character and promises. This story encourages us to hold onto God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible, reminding us that our faith is strengthened through trust in God's unchanging nature. [21:19]

Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are experiencing doubt. How can you choose to trust God in this area today, despite the uncertainty?

Day 4: The Seriousness of God's Covenant

The covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15 underscores the seriousness of His promises. Through a dramatic ritual involving the cutting of animals, God symbolically declared His commitment to His word. This act of theophany, where God swore by Himself, emphasizes the unchangeable nature of His promises. It assures us that God's word is eternal and trustworthy, providing a foundation of hope and encouragement. This covenant serves as a reminder of the lengths God goes to assure us of His faithfulness, inviting us to trust in His unwavering commitment to us. [38:09]

Jeremiah 33:20-21 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne."

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you find hard to believe. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and commitment to His word today?

Day 5: Assurance in God's Unchanging Nature

In times of uncertainty and fear, the assurance of God's unchanging nature provides a refuge for believers. God's sworn oath and eternal promises offer hope and encouragement, reminding us that His word is a steadfast anchor in the storms of life. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, inviting us to rest in the knowledge that God's promises are eternal and trustworthy. By anchoring our faith in God's unchanging character, we find peace and assurance, knowing that His word is a reliable foundation upon which we can build our lives. [47:54]

Isaiah 54:10 (ESV): "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience God's unchanging nature today? How can you seek His peace and assurance in this area?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the nature of truth and promises, I shared a journey from childhood memories to the profound truths found in Scripture. As a child, I was captivated by the legends of great figures like George Washington, who was famously said to have declared, "I cannot tell a lie." Yet, as I grew, I realized that even the most revered humans are fallible and capable of deceit. This realization led me to ponder the importance of truth in our lives, especially in the context of promises and vows, which are foundational to trust in relationships.

In the courtroom, witnesses swear to tell the truth, underscoring the critical nature of truth in justice. Similarly, in our personal lives, trust is built on the promises we make and keep. The ultimate promise-keeper, however, is God, who cannot lie. This is the bedrock of our faith, as illustrated in the story of Abraham in Genesis 15. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars. Despite Abraham's initial doubt, he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.

The covenant God made with Abraham was sealed in a dramatic and sacred ritual involving the cutting of animals, symbolizing the seriousness of God's promise. This act was a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, who swore by Himself, as there is none greater. This covenant assures us that God's promises are unbreakable, providing us with hope and encouragement.

In times of doubt and fear, like Abraham, we may question how we can be sure of God's promises. Yet, the assurance lies in God's unchanging nature and His willingness to bind Himself to His word. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, especially in moments of solitude and despair, reminding us that God's promises are eternal and trustworthy.

Key Takeaways

1. p_r1vDI&t=223s'>[03:43]
2. The Importance of Promises in Relationships: Trust is the cornerstone of all relationships, and it is built on the promises we make and keep. When God makes a promise, it is unbreakable, offering us a model for how we should strive to uphold truth in our own lives.

3. Abraham's Faith as a Model for Believers: Abraham's belief in God's promise, despite his initial doubt, exemplifies the essence of faith. It is not the absence of doubt but the decision to trust God that is counted as righteousness. This story encourages us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.

4. The Significance of God's Covenant with Abraham: The covenant ritual in Genesis 15 highlights the seriousness of God's promises. By passing through the pieces of the animals, God symbolically declared that He would rather be torn apart than break His promise, emphasizing the unchangeable nature of His word.

5. God's Unchanging Nature as Our Assurance: In times of uncertainty, the assurance of God's unchanging nature and His sworn oath provide us with hope and encouragement. This truth is a refuge for believers, reminding us that God's promises are eternal and trustworthy, offering peace in the midst of life's storms.

** [03:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Childhood Memories and Legends
[01:33] - The Fallibility of Human Nature
[03:43] - The Nature of Truth and Lies
[05:24] - The Importance of Truth in Court
[06:38] - The Role of Promises in Relationships
[08:58] - The Foundation of Christian Faith
[10:47] - Introduction to Genesis 15
[12:11] - God's Call to Abraham
[14:33] - Abraham's Journey and God's Promise
[18:02] - God's Assurance to Abraham
[20:37] - Abraham's Faith and Righteousness
[24:12] - The Reality of Abraham's Doubt
[28:52] - God's Covenant Ritual
[36:22] - The Theophany and God's Oath
[44:12] - The Immutable Nature of God's Promises
[47:54] - Conclusion: The Assurance of God's Word

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Genesis 15:1-6
Hebrews 6:13-18

---

Observation Questions:

What was the initial promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15, and how did Abraham respond to it? [10:47]
How does the ritual involving the cutting of animals in Genesis 15 symbolize the seriousness of God's covenant with Abraham? [32:40]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of God swearing by Himself in the covenant with Abraham? [44:12]
In Hebrews 6:13-18, what are the "two unchangeable things" that provide believers with strong encouragement? [47:22]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does Abraham's initial doubt and subsequent belief in God's promise illustrate the nature of faith? Consider the implications of Genesis 15:6. [21:19]
What does the covenant ritual in Genesis 15 reveal about the nature of God's promises compared to human promises? [38:09]
How does the assurance of God's unchanging nature, as discussed in Hebrews 6:13-18, provide comfort to believers in times of uncertainty? [47:54]
In what ways does the story of Abraham challenge or affirm your understanding of what it means to trust in God's promises? [22:55]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in a promise. How did you overcome that doubt, and what role did faith play in that process? [26:42]
Consider the relationships in your life. How can you strive to be a person whose promises are as trustworthy as God's? What steps can you take to ensure you keep your commitments? [08:10]
In moments of doubt or fear, like Abraham, how can you remind yourself of God's unchanging nature and His promises? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith during these times? [27:25]
Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness. How can you cultivate a faith that trusts in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible? [21:19]
The sermon mentioned the importance of truth in relationships and justice. How can you apply this principle in your daily interactions, especially in situations where honesty might be challenging? [06:38]
How can the assurance of God's promises, as discussed in the sermon, influence your approach to life's uncertainties and challenges? [47:54]
Identify a specific promise from God that you find difficult to believe or trust. What steps can you take this week to deepen your trust in that promise? [28:12]

Sermon Clips

The very foundation of the Christian faith is based on truth, on promises and on vows that are certified by One who cannot tell a lie. [00:08:46]

And, when I get to know you as a friend, or if I want to marry a woman and take her as my wife and she takes me is my husband and we commit ourselves to each other, we are entering into a personal relationship where trust is everything. And, nothing breaks trust faster than when we play loose with the truth. [00:07:54]

Abraham believed God, and there is no merit in that. Abraham should believe God because God is eminently believable. Abraham should trust God because God is altogether trustworthy, but Abraham believed God and God counted him, He reckoned him, as righteous, not on the basis of any works that Abraham had performed, but on the basis of his faith, and of his faith alone in the promise of God. [00:21:13]

And the reason why we circumscribe the drama of the proceedings of the courtroom, is that we want to do everything humanly possible to ensure that the testimony of the witnesses is true. And so, we invoke the sanctity of the oath. We ask a person, ladies and gentlemen, to make a promise before God, the breaking of which promise we understand is punishable by law in the event of perjury. [00:06:51]

And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be. Abraham, as many as there are stars in that sky, so shall your descendants be. You're not just going to have one child to live after you. I said I was going to make you the father of a great nation, and your descendents will be as plenteous as the stars in the sky." [00:20:24]

And Abraham said it before God, "How can I know?" And it's again, it's because of God's answer to that question that I want this book with me in jail. Not that I'm expecting to go to jail. I keep talking like this, I may end up, you know, "So, okay, let's see how you do in solitary confinement in prison." [00:28:48]

And the meaning of that vow when God passes between those pieces of the animal, what God is saying to Abraham is, "Abraham, do you want to know if I'm going to keep My word? Do you want to know if I'm going to keep My promise to you? Well, let Me tell you what I'm going to put on the line. I am swearing by Myself. [00:43:41]

And what I am dramatizing to you in this action, Abraham, is this, if I ever fail to keep a promise to you, I am saying, may I, the immutable, eternal, self-existent being suffer mutation. May I, who am immortal, become mortal. May I, who cannot die, perish. I'm swearing by my deity. [00:44:44]

And the Scriptures tell us that Abraham did exactly as he was commanded, that he got up and he left. And he journeyed to the land of Canaan. And after some adventures and misadventures along the way, then God came to him and said, "Abraham, don't be afraid. I am a shield to you, and I am your reward, and your reward shall be great." [00:14:33]

And when God appears visibly in the Bible, his favorite way of doing it is in some form of fire. The bush that burns but is not consumed, the pillar of smoke that leads the people of Israel through the wilderness. You see, in Hebrew terms, what is happening in this night vision is that Abraham sees that flaming torch moving through those pieces, that flaming torch represents the very presence of God. [00:43:03]

And the symbol of that cut, the purpose of the knife will be to remind you that I have cut you off from the rest of this world that is perishing. I have set you apart. I have consecrated you. I have made you holy. And, that's the blessing of which I spoke, and the sign of that blessing will be seen in this cutting rite of circumcision. [00:40:04]

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promise, for when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by none greater, He swore by Himself. [00:47:12]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

God's Unbreakable Promises: Trusting in His Truth

Devotional

Day 1: The Infallibility of God's Promises

Day 2: Trust as the Cornerstone of Relationships

Day 3: Faith Amidst Doubt

Day 4: The Seriousness of God's Covenant

Day 5: Assurance in God's Unchanging Nature

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

God's Unbreakable Promises: Trusting in His Truth

Share