My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips, once I have sworn by My holiness. (Psalm 89:34-35)
God keeps His Word — of this there is no doubt. He is faithful to keep covenant with His people and fulfill His promises to us. As it is written, “My word be that goes forth from My mouth shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). That said, let us consider this: there have been times when God promised a punishment for transgressions, but then the people repented and the punishment was abandoned, or in some cases, delayed. Case in point, He was determined to punish Nineveh but they repented in sack cloth and ash and the punishment was set aside.
The point is, on several occasions, God has relented and withheld punishment when people have humbled themselves before Him and turned from their wickedness. On the other hand, when God promises a reward — deliverance, salvation, restoration — even when the people are undeserving — He remains committed to keep His promise to them. As it is written, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). In short, when it comes to doing good for His people, He doesn’t change His mind. Before He allowed Israel to be led captive into Babylon, He said, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Let’s look at it this way: as long as there is breath in our lungs, there is the potential to do what is right and to fulfill God’s purpose for us and through us. Rebellion, apathy and a desire to do what is right in our own eyes can certainly postpone His plans for us, and if we are bound and determined to dig in our heels, it may thwart His plans for us entirely. However, our stubbornness can never change His intentions for us — He has always had and will continue to have our best interests in mind. He may become angry and chasten us, but its because He loves us — He never abandons us entirely. If this is so even when we are walking contrary to Him, imagine what can be when we are walking with Him.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments