Clinging to God’s Promises When Doubt Creeps In - Your Nightly Scripture - November 6th
Clinging to God’s Promises When Doubt Creeps In
Evening Scripture
Hebrews, Chapter 6
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case — the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Evening Reflection
Promises are great, but they are only as good as the person making them. We all know people who have said they are going to do something and their word is as useless as an umbrella in a hurricane.
However, God’s promises are different. They are that way because he made them, but more importantly because he always keeps them. Yet, there is one little challenge we all experience when we are waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled. We don’t know when it will happen. It would be so much easier if God always said “on this date, at this time, this is what I am going to do.” Most of the time that is not how it works. Instead, we must trust that he will do what he says even when we don’t know when.
So how then do you cling to his promises when they are delayed, and how do you avoid allowing doubt to start creeping in? One thing you can do is look at God’s track record. Looking through the Bible and back through your own life, you will see a record of God’s faithfulness. Sometimes you must remind yourself of this.
Remember how you just happened to run into the right person who opened a door for you. Or consider the provision that came through exactly when you needed it. Maybe it was the person praying for your exact situation without you saying a word. These things may seem small, but they are reminders that God sees your situation and he will come through.
If you are believing in God for something, keep believing he is true to his word and know that he will not fail you. According to the writer of Hebrews, it is impossible for God to lie, and that truth is what anchors our souls even when we don’t know when it will happen.
Evening Prayer
God,
Today I am trusting what you have said in your word. You have made promises, but more importantly you have kept your promises. I pray today that you will give me the courage to keep trusting you even when nothing is happening or the situation looks bleak. Remind me that you honor your word and that everything you say, you will do.
Help my faith to remain strong, and when I am worried, remind me of who you are. You have never forsaken me and you won’t stop now. Thank you for walking with me through this process and help me not to neglect the lessons that I will learn as I am waiting for you.
I pray all this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
How did tonight’s scripture speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture forum discussion.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anastasiia Stiahailo
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
Related Resource: Battle Plan Prayer Guide
For anyone facing a battle they weren't prepared for and didn't know was coming. Inside the Battle Plan, you’ll walk through the same prayer pattern that’s carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life. Just click below to get your FREE Battle Plan prayer guide.
