INHERITING THE PROMISES
The promises of God are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). There is a certainty concerning the promises of God. God is not a man to lie. He cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2). Satan is the one who lies for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). When He has promised, His faithfulness and justice demands that He fulfils His promises. He will make good any promises He has made to us (Numbers 23:19-23). God will always fulfil His promises. None shall fall to the ground without fulfilment (Joshua 21:43-45; 23:5,14; 1 Kings 8:56; Isaiah 55:10,11).
God fulfilled His promises in the lives of the saints of old. These are recorded not for mere information but so that we can also enter by faith into the enjoyment of those promises (Romans 4:17-23; 15:4).
There are many “exceeding great and precious promises” that God has reserved for us (2 Peter 1:4). We must not stagger at these promises of God through unbelief but be strong in faith (Romans 4:17-21). If God fulfilled His promises to those in the Old Covenant, how much more will He fulfil them to those living under the New Covenant which is a better covenant. If the promises of the Old Covenant were sure, how much more the better promises of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6).
FAITH AND PATIENCE
Hebrews 6:12-15; 11:6,8-19; 12:1,2; 10:22,23; 11:11; Romans 4:17-21; 12:12; James 1:5-8; 5:7-11; Isaiah 55:10,11; 2 Corinthians 1:20.
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
Abraham is held before us in the scriptures as an outstanding example of faith (Romans 4:17-21; Hebrews 11:8-19). However we are also told that “And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15). Faith and patience are essential partners in our march towards the land of promise, our own Canaan that flows with milk and honey.
Without faith we cannot please God, we cannot receive from Him as well (Hebrews 11:6; James 1:5-8). However impatience can undo all the good that faith can accomplish. BOTH are essential.
Unbelief robbed the children of Israel of the promised land whereas faith gave Caleb and Joshua inheritances in Canaan.
One of the qualities that marked Job out was his patience. He patiently endured the contradictions and pesterings of his so-called friends. He ultimately inherited the promise of abundance and plenty as well as that of fruitfulness etc. (James 5:11; Job 42:10-13).
The prophets who inherited the promises, faith and patience were qualities that were outstanding in their lives (Hebrews 11:32-38; James 5:10). The farmer plants in faith in expectation of a harvest. However he exercises patience for he knows that the harvest does take some time to come through (James 5:7). We are exhorted to be patient like an expectant farmer (James 5:7,8), to run with patience the christian race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1,2; Romans 12:12).
FAITHFULNESS AND PURITY
Numbers 14:22-24; Joshua 14:6-14; Isaiah 1:19; 1 John 3:22; John 15:7; Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 15:8; 10:24; James 5:16.
Caleb and Joshua “wholly followed the Lord” (Numbers 14:22-24; Joshua 14:6-14). This is faithfulness. This was the foundation for their inheriting God’s promise. And wholly and fully following the Lord always pays great dividends.
Despite many obstacles on the way, a faithful and pure Joseph will inherit God’s promise of glory and honour as revealed to him in dreams. Though the promise seemed to tarry, he waited patiently for it and was faithful throughout the waiting period. It took more than a decade but he inherited the promise. In the pit of affliction, in slavery to the Ishmaelites and then to the Egyptians, in the dungeon for a crime he never committed, yet “God was with him” (Genesis 39:3,20,21), the promise eventually came through (Genesis 37:5-11; 41:14,37-44).
If we are willing and obedient, we will surely inherit the promises (Isaiah 1:19). The desire of the righteous shall be granted (Proverbs 10:24). God will always listen to the prayer of the faithful, pure and righteous (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 15:8; 1 John 3:22; John 15:7).
FERVENCY AND PERSEVERANCE
Hebrews 6:12; Romans 12:11; Galatians 6:9; 1 Kings 18:1,41-46; Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8; Matthew 7:7-11; 15:21-28; Mark 5:25-34.
“THAT YE BE NOT SLOTHFUl, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
“NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS, FERVENT IN SPIRIT; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). Slothfulness has no place in the life of the believer. God expects us to be fervent whether it is in physical or in spiritual things. We are not to be lazy, sluggish, slothful, careless (Proverbs 24:30-34; 13:4; 12:24; 10:4,5; 1 Corinthians 16:13). Our zeal ought to be boiling hot. We ought to live life with passion and energy, earnestness and expectation, fervency and perseverance, drive and vision, goal and purpose. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
The law of sowing and reaping is a definite law. We reap what we sow in quantity (Galatians 6:7-9; Job 4:8). We reap a multiplied version of what we sow in quantity (2 Corinthians 9:6; Hosea 8:7).
The harvests are sure. Don’t lose heart. Be fervent. Keep on sowing, weeding, watering. Sow in faith, weed away the tares of unbelief, doubt and impatience, water the seed with prayer and your harvest will come.
Perseverance will always pay. Persistence and importunity are always rewarded (1 Kings 18:1,41-46; Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8; Matthew 7:7-11; 15:21-28; Mark 5:25-34).
Keep on believing, keep on praying, keep on knocking. Pray through to your heart’s desire. God will not deny you. You can inherit the promises and you will in Jesus’ name.