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Hoekstra: Our God of Promises

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This is the introduction to a new series based on Bob Hoekstra’s popular devotional Day By Day By Grace.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
(Genesis 3:15)

The work of God in our lives hinges upon His promises to us. In fact, our God is characteristically a God of promises.

The fact that our God typically works through promises is seen as early as the third chapter of the Bible. There, God made a very strategic set of promises. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” These prophetic promises were addressed to Satan, but they were given in the hearing of Adam and Eve. Of course, they were recorded in the Scriptures for everyone else to consider thereafter.

These promises revealed some of the consequences of spiritual rebellion, as well as announcing God’s remedy for the sin of man. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.” These words declare the inevitability of spiritual warfare, as well as the certainty of the cross of Christ.

Spiritual warfare is a major theme in Scripture. This warfare is documented throughout the word of God. “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel…Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?…So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (1 Chronicles 21:1; Acts 5:3; and Revelation 12:9). Nevertheless, the cross of Christ would provide a victory over the enemy and an escape from this sinful world for all who would embrace it. “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:3-4).

Dear God of promises, may my promises be a peripheral issue in my thinking and living. Conversely, may Your promises be central and foundational—especially, those promises related to the cross of Jesus, my Lord, Amen.

Comments

  2. Titus 2:11-15
    For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

    15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

    Titus 3(NKJV)
    Graces of the Heirs of Grace

    3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

    AVOID DISSENSION
    9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

    Final Messages
    12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

    Farewell
    15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

    Grace be with you all. Amen.

  3. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

  4. A promise and promises are assurances and with God, surety of things to come. All the living witness that God is the Creator, is life. Every one of us are testimony that our Father is patient. The forgiven are testimony that our Father is faithful, He is Redemption. The witness proves, confirms the statements and with our Father the promises since He is Spirit and His Word is Life. We believe in faith that He is true. Our lives, the daily living can be, should be expressions of His truth.
    Jhn 6:6, Rom 12:2, 2Cr 8:8, 2Cr 13:5, Gal 6:4, 1Th 5:21
    2Cr 2:9, 2Cr 8:24, 2Cr 13:3, Phl 2:22, 2Ti 4:5

    The fulfillment of promise obtains that which is not seen initially.
    Mat 5:7, Luk 20:35, Rom 11:31, 1Cr 9:25, 1Th 5:9, 2Ti 2:10, Hbr 4:16, Hbr 11:35

    No one can come to the Father without Jesus
    Jhn 14:6, Mat 26:28, Mar 14:2, Luk 22:20, Jhn 6:54-56

    Jesus, showed that He lives by many infallible proofs commanded that His disciples wait until they received the promise of our Father.

    Act 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
    Act 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
    Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me.
    Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

    Jesus is the purpose for creation. Obtain is a present or future acquisition. Salvation is obtained in the New Testament, in Jesus.
    Act 26:22, Rom 11:7, Rom 11:30, Eph 1:11, 1Ti 1:13, 1Ti 1:16, Hbr 1:, Hbr 6:15, Hbr 8:6, Hbr 9:12, Hbr 11:2, Hbr 11:4, Hbr 11:33, Hbr 11:39, 1Pe 2:10, 2Pe 1:1

    2Cr 1:20 For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

  5. Halleujah

    Our God is an awesome God, a God of promises.

    As Pastor Derek Prince has written, God’s promises are our spiritual inheritance. Though our resurrection in a new body awaits us, our spiritual inheritance in God’s promises is now.

    I have been crying out to our Heavenly Father recently for my family and especially for my children.

    Below are three special promises for those in Christ with children.

    This first one was revealed to me in late April / May this year while in Japan reading a book by Derek Prince. Hallelujah.
    This promise is for our children caught in the bondages of Satan.

    Isaiah 49:24-25
    “Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?”
    “Surely, thus says the Lord”
    “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the mighty be rescued, for I will contend with you, and I will save your children.”

    The next two promises have been revealed to me over the last several weeks and are very special also;

    On 29 June 2013 Psalms 102:27-28
    “But You are the same, and Your years have no end.”
    “The children of Your servants shall dwell secure; their prosperity shall be established before You.”

    In Christ alone can our children be secure!

    On 5 July 2013 Psalms 103:17-18
    “But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments”

    The above last promise was revealed after much warfare in the spirit, after contending for my child against a deceiving spirit, after a time of requesting prayer from circles of friendships in Christ, including those in BLB. Thank you to all those who have been praying.

    On last Friday night, drained from the battlefield of the week just gone I sat down to do my bible study fellowship course readings and from one of the readings Psalms 103:17-18 was brought before me. I wept and rejoiced in awe of our Lord and God, His most wonderful love.

    It has taught me to have confidence in my God for my children. His mercy is His own to give and and His Christ is mighty to save.

    Psalms 12:6-8
    “The promises of the LORD are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times”
    “Do You O LORD, protect us, guard us from this generation. On very side the wicked prowl as vileness (perversion) is exalted among the sons of men.”

    The above verses have now become also my prayer, for we God’s people are chosen to walk in this present age.

    May God bless you each.
    In Christ
    Mark H NZ

  6. mark H NZ, Thank you for sharing your heart. You’ve encouraged me to be diligent in the fight for my unsaved (?) children.

    In the last paragraph of the blog, starting with “Spiritual warfare is a major theme in scripture”, the key word in the paragraph is “NEVERTHELESS”, or as I like to say, “But JESUS…”

    Yes the enemy is persistent, strong, capable and every other attribute he has, “BUT JESUS” or “nevertheless” reminds us continually of our positional identity and victorious promises we have in Christ. 1 john 4:4, rev 12:11

    • Breaux,

      Amen. The Lord Jesus Christ, Mighty in battle.

      The Spirit of the Lord goes forth like a mighty man.
      Hallelujah

      May the Lord strengthen us each Breaux in this battle for our loved ones and for those others whom He puts on our hearts to pray for.

      His promises are Yes and Amen.

      In Christ
      Mark H NZ

  7. Without any doubt or contradiction, all OT Prophecies and Promises are applicable to all mankind through the BLOOD shed by Messiah, but they are made to Israel proper because no “Christian” or “Universal Church Body” existed at the time they were made, it’s just logic and history. Even Gen 3:15 HNV is of the Hebrew Messiah and would be unknown to the world except through the Jews / Torah.

    Just asking, what NT Prophecies and Promises are there in scripture apart from Israel?

    J.

    • Hallelujah.

      Praise God,

      For… “it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel. Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”” Romans 9:6-7

      All must come as children of promise and as Jerry has also written ‘only through the BLOOD shed by Messiah.’

      and I will put ‘this is by one’s faith in the promise of a new life by the blood of the Lord Jesus and by He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

      Atonement (AT-ONE-MENT) is in His blood and His blood only.

      All Paises to God our Father and to the Lamb worthy of all honour, glory and praises.

      God bless.
      In Christ
      Mark H NZ

      • Thanks for the reply Mark,

        Yes and Amen, “In Isaac…” not Ishmael and we can follow through with “in Jacob / Israel…” not Esau.

        Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11 HNV says a lot on this topic. Shaul was at his caustic best in battling what we call today NT/Replacement Theology. This theology was a problem for the Believers in Rome that is why Shaul wrote to them in the first place.

        J.

    • There is reluctance to reply since our precious faith, and our Messiah indeed come from the promises to the Jews. One does not need to be Jewish, salvation is not exclusively for the Jews.

      Go and teach all nations Mat 28:18-20

      The promise is unto you, your children and to all who are afar off, as many as our Lord shall call. People today are very far off from that moment indeed. Act 2:38-39

      God has granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles. Acts 11:12-18

      Rom 4:16 The promise is sure to all seed through faith by grace not only to that which is of the law.

      These few verses merely touch the extent of New Testament salvation, The Everlasting Gospel and all of the scriptures dealing with the inadequacy of the former to remove sin. There has been a persistent effort to discredit the apostle Paul throughout history because his presence in the bible is caustic to those who reject Jesus is God.

      • No need for reluctance Bobby, salvation is not exclusively for the Jews. Thanks for the reply though!

        Question, Is “New Testament salvation” different from just plain old “salvation”?

        Suggestion, use the English words “Good News” in lieu of “Gospel” it’s a more accurate translation and helps keep things more in line of what is being relayed in scripture.

        Correction, the LAW itself is not inadequate to remove sin as evidenced in the Resurrection, it is in the attempt of any to follow it that the inadequacy falls. But, I know of ONE who was able to follow it, Yeshua the Hebrew Messiah.

        J.

        • the stone of stumbling and rock of offense is that Jesus is God. This is New Testament salvation that yes is Old Testament salvation too. This is the blindness that is upon Israel. Israel does not yet accept Messiah. Jesus did say that salvation is of the Jews. Jhn 4:22-26
          Jhn 4:10,14
          Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
          Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
          Luk 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

          Who are described at the culmination of the human parable? Nations of them which are saved, kings of the earth, they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, His angel, the Lord God of the holy prophets, the throne of God and of the Lamb. they that do His commandments, the Spirit and the Bride.

          Replacement theology is not a biblical term. There is a period of denial where the head of the corner
          Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

          Will receive His worship until the time is fulfilled. The stones cry out, “blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord”

          1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

        • Bob,

          You’re throwing the bathwater out with the baby. The readings of the verses you site are typical NT Theology readings of them. If I had the space or time I would read them correctly for you, simply by viewing all scripture from a Jewish perspective. When this is done, at least for me, the WOG comes into alignment without contradiction.

          Let’s use your argument, “This is the blindness that is upon Israel. Israel does not yet accept Messiah.” Now assuming the names Israeli, Jew, Hebrew all describe the same race of people to you as they do me… How could Jesus, the twelve, and the disciples described up until Acts chapter 10 “not yet accepted Messiah”? The Messiah (Jesus) was an Israeli. Did HE deny HIMSELF? All these I describe here are Israeli. Did they not follow Messiah??? Type in the word “multitude” in BLB search engine, go to New Covenant scripture and see how many Israelis followed and accepted HIM. Do you see the contradiction?

          This scriptural fact helps clear things up for me. It was not the “Jews” as a nation or people group that denied Messiah. It was the GOD appointed Leaders of the Jews that denied HIS Authority.

          There are many, many Jews that know their Messiah and remain Jews and do not become Christians because they do not need to. How can this be if they have “not yet accepted Messiah”? Do you see the contradiction?

          J.

          P.s. Gentiles do not need to become Jewish to know the Hebrew Messiah either.

    • Just asking, what NT Prophecies and Promises are there in scripture apart from Israel?

      J.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Galatians 3:28
      There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

      NT Prophesy
      John 1:29; John 4:19-26; Matthew 11:7-19; Matthew 13 The Wheat & Tares and The Dragnet are both Parables AND prophesy Matthew 13:35b… I (meaning Jesus) will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:57; Matthew 16:13-17; Matthew 17:1-13; Matthew 19:28; Matthew 20:18-19; Matthew 20:14-16; Matthew 24; Matthew 26:31; Acts 2:18; Luke 4:23-30; Luke 2:25-38; John 11:51; Revelation 10:11; 1 Corinthians 14:1-3; Revelation 11:3

      Promises? Way too many to list but..
      John 1:16-18
      16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

      John 7:37
      [ The Promise of the Holy Spirit ] On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

      John 3:16

      • Tess, I don’t have time to go through the verses you reference, but at first glance I would say not to miss the tag I placed at the end of my question, “apart from Israel?”, or anyone who happens to be Jewish.

        Thanks for the reply I can always count on you and Bob.

        J.

          • “Tzadikim Nistarim” this is the first I’ve heard of this. There are many false teachings we as Believers in the Hebrew Messiah need to be aware of, many. HE alone is Righteous, Psa 37:39 HNV, 1Jo 2:29 HNV.
            J.

      • Clarification – “or happens to be Jewish”… and is speaking in the verses you site.
        J.

        • Jerry,
          I knew you’d find that word (Lamed Vovnik) interesting. I put the *smile* because I knew you’d go look it up. LOL!

          I was looking up Yiddish words and quotes and I ran across it and thought it very odd too.

          You’re exactly right… HE alone is Righteous.
          Be blessed and well brother. 🙂

  8. If one should spend one’s whole life for God, and win only one soul by the most earnest and devoted efforts, it would be a rich reward to see that one star shining for ever in the firmament of heaven, to see that one gem glistening for ever in the diadem of Christ, to see that one sheep feeding for ever in the pastures of eternal life. ~Charles Spurgeon