The Power of God (part 9) – His Promises (1)
Introduction. The power of a promise, given by a trusted person and offering a desirable outcome, can change the course of a life. When a seemingly insurmountable task presents itself, dark and dismal days arise, or setbacks develop that create disillusionment and a desire to give up, a promise can help us navigate through them all and reach the ultimate goal. Promises offer a buffer, cushioning and softening trials, troubles and difficulties. They also present a powerful motivation. The greater the promise and the more reliable and trustworthy the one who gave it, the more can be endured and the more effort will be put forth.
This is the basis of all God’s promises. When sin entered the world, it truly became a dark and dismal place where incredible tragedies could happen at any moment with devastating results. Just as the material creation reflected the damage of sin in the scope and magnitude of the curse, it is simply a reflection of the damage done to the human heart and soul. Both were marred and damaged by sin. We need look no further than the first children of Adam and Eve to see the damage unfold through their eyes. As Cain’s heart darkened, not only did he dishonor God with the evil works of his worship, but anger, festering in his heart, resulted in the murder of his brother Abel, leaving his parents to agonize over one son murdering another and leaving the presence of Jehovah forever. (Gen. 3-4; Heb. 11:4; 1Jn. 3:10-12).
What heartache Adam and Eve must have endured. They experienced the crushing blow of the consequences of the sin they had unleashed into the world by heeding the words of the serpent. Cast from the garden, witnessing the effects of the curse, and watching the wickedness of man grow, now they passed this terrible legacy of both physical and spiritual death to all their children. Each day they were reminded by the labor and toil needed to be put forth even to eat along with the loss of dominion and the pain and sorrow that followed it.
By the time Noah was born some 57 years after the death of Adam, the earth was becoming increasingly corrupt and vile. At what point in the genealogies of the “sons of God” through Seth and the “daughters of men” through Cain started to intermarry is not revealed. But by Noah’s 600th year, the consequences of mingling of the spiritually minded race, who were “calling on the name of Jehovah” (thru Seth), and those “living out of the presence of Jehovah” (through Cain), was complete. It had led to the entire earth being filled with violence along with the treachery and selfishness that always accompany it.
Every imagination of the thoughts of every heart were only evil continually. Since “all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world,” we know what “every intent of the thoughts of men’s hearts” would be directed toward. By looking at our own world, we get a dim idea of what men and women, completely filled with evil would be practicing - every vile and evil thing we can imagine from list of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5: 19-22) along with the “vile passions” and “depraved mind” of those who refused to have God in their knowledge (Rom. 1:18-32). They were indeed among the darkest days ever faced by the children of God (Gen. 5-6; Eccl. 1; 1Jn. 2:15-17).
From the time of Seth and his son Enosh, those men who “called on the name of Jehovah,” with their faithful wives and children, lived through these difficult times and witnessed these terrible events. We see from Lot that there was “sore oppression and vexation” living among similar people in Sodom and Gomorrah, (2Pet. 2:6-9), and in the days of Ezekiel, God was marking those who “sigh and cry over the abominations done.” Why would it be any less vexing and disgusting for them? It was a bitter time, yet God has only given us a few of the details of their lives. Of the ten generations listed in Genesis 5, only a few events in the lives of each of four men have been described:
What did God give to motivate them? How did they endure the “evil companionship” and the “corruption” it brings? What power did God give to them to “fight manfully onward” and “subdue dark passions?” Regardless of the trials and tribulations, some among them along with their godly wives and children remained faithful and true to God before the flood. The power given to them was the power of God’s promises. Regardless of the adversities, trials and sorrows they endured, they saw themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They never felt at home among such people.
It was the power of God’s promises that kept them faithful and strong and motivated. While we do not know the exact nature of these promises, they are the same promises we have today. Since it states “promises,” there was clearly more than one. This is what motivated Abel to “offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” and Seth and his son Enosh to begin “calling on the name of Jehovah.” It was the faith in these promises that was the foundation and reason for Enoch’s walk with God and Noah’s building the ark exactly as God commanded him. (Heb. 11:1-12) They never received these promises because just like our promises today, these promises did not begin until after death. As long as our hearts are beating in this world, we are still waiting for them by faith. Yet they saw them with “the eyes of their hearts.” They welcomed, embraced, and greeted them as friends and neighbors. They confessed they were strangers and pilgrims. This world along with its people, its lusts and wickedness, and its sorrows and cares was a foreign country to them.
Throughout their lives, these promises led them to “seek a homeland.” The promises caused them to “come out” “of that country” and were so exciting they never had the old one “come to mind” again. It was these promises that kindled a “desire” for something “better.” This word “desire” means “to stretch oneself in order to grasp,” “to eagerly desire to accomplish,” “strive to attain,” “eagerly long for.” It filled their minds with a single goal worth everything to attain and receive. While the garden of Eden had been forever lost to them, God had promised to replace it with “a city” God “has prepared for them.” The hope and desire for this city removed all other hopes and desires and took away the sting and discouragement of all that had been lost. The opportunity to return to what this world had left to offer in sin and the curse did not appeal to them. They loved God and the life He had created for them to live. They loved and desired what He offered far more than anything that is here and because of that “God is not ashamed to be called their God.”
Conclusion. These things are recorded for our learning, admonition and example. These people are among the “great cloud of witnesses,” urging us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us.” (Heb. 12:1-3). The power of God’s promises was more than enough to keep them faithful through trials and adversities. They trusted God. It never once entered their mind that He would promise less than He would give. They knew their labor was not in vain, and so do we.
This is the basis of all God’s promises. When sin entered the world, it truly became a dark and dismal place where incredible tragedies could happen at any moment with devastating results. Just as the material creation reflected the damage of sin in the scope and magnitude of the curse, it is simply a reflection of the damage done to the human heart and soul. Both were marred and damaged by sin. We need look no further than the first children of Adam and Eve to see the damage unfold through their eyes. As Cain’s heart darkened, not only did he dishonor God with the evil works of his worship, but anger, festering in his heart, resulted in the murder of his brother Abel, leaving his parents to agonize over one son murdering another and leaving the presence of Jehovah forever. (Gen. 3-4; Heb. 11:4; 1Jn. 3:10-12).
What heartache Adam and Eve must have endured. They experienced the crushing blow of the consequences of the sin they had unleashed into the world by heeding the words of the serpent. Cast from the garden, witnessing the effects of the curse, and watching the wickedness of man grow, now they passed this terrible legacy of both physical and spiritual death to all their children. Each day they were reminded by the labor and toil needed to be put forth even to eat along with the loss of dominion and the pain and sorrow that followed it.
By the time Noah was born some 57 years after the death of Adam, the earth was becoming increasingly corrupt and vile. At what point in the genealogies of the “sons of God” through Seth and the “daughters of men” through Cain started to intermarry is not revealed. But by Noah’s 600th year, the consequences of mingling of the spiritually minded race, who were “calling on the name of Jehovah” (thru Seth), and those “living out of the presence of Jehovah” (through Cain), was complete. It had led to the entire earth being filled with violence along with the treachery and selfishness that always accompany it.
Every imagination of the thoughts of every heart were only evil continually. Since “all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world,” we know what “every intent of the thoughts of men’s hearts” would be directed toward. By looking at our own world, we get a dim idea of what men and women, completely filled with evil would be practicing - every vile and evil thing we can imagine from list of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5: 19-22) along with the “vile passions” and “depraved mind” of those who refused to have God in their knowledge (Rom. 1:18-32). They were indeed among the darkest days ever faced by the children of God (Gen. 5-6; Eccl. 1; 1Jn. 2:15-17).
From the time of Seth and his son Enosh, those men who “called on the name of Jehovah,” with their faithful wives and children, lived through these difficult times and witnessed these terrible events. We see from Lot that there was “sore oppression and vexation” living among similar people in Sodom and Gomorrah, (2Pet. 2:6-9), and in the days of Ezekiel, God was marking those who “sigh and cry over the abominations done.” Why would it be any less vexing and disgusting for them? It was a bitter time, yet God has only given us a few of the details of their lives. Of the ten generations listed in Genesis 5, only a few events in the lives of each of four men have been described:
- Abel and his “more excellent sacrifice”
- Seth and his son who “began to call on the name of the Lord.” (Gen. 4:25-26)
- Enoch, who “walked with God three hundred years,” “and “he was not, for God took him.” (Gen. 5:21-24)
- Finally, Noah, “a preacher of righteousness,” who while building the ark “did; according to all that God commanded him.” (Gen. 6:22)
What did God give to motivate them? How did they endure the “evil companionship” and the “corruption” it brings? What power did God give to them to “fight manfully onward” and “subdue dark passions?” Regardless of the trials and tribulations, some among them along with their godly wives and children remained faithful and true to God before the flood. The power given to them was the power of God’s promises. Regardless of the adversities, trials and sorrows they endured, they saw themselves as strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They never felt at home among such people.
- “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb. 11:13).
It was the power of God’s promises that kept them faithful and strong and motivated. While we do not know the exact nature of these promises, they are the same promises we have today. Since it states “promises,” there was clearly more than one. This is what motivated Abel to “offer a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” and Seth and his son Enosh to begin “calling on the name of Jehovah.” It was the faith in these promises that was the foundation and reason for Enoch’s walk with God and Noah’s building the ark exactly as God commanded him. (Heb. 11:1-12) They never received these promises because just like our promises today, these promises did not begin until after death. As long as our hearts are beating in this world, we are still waiting for them by faith. Yet they saw them with “the eyes of their hearts.” They welcomed, embraced, and greeted them as friends and neighbors. They confessed they were strangers and pilgrims. This world along with its people, its lusts and wickedness, and its sorrows and cares was a foreign country to them.
Throughout their lives, these promises led them to “seek a homeland.” The promises caused them to “come out” “of that country” and were so exciting they never had the old one “come to mind” again. It was these promises that kindled a “desire” for something “better.” This word “desire” means “to stretch oneself in order to grasp,” “to eagerly desire to accomplish,” “strive to attain,” “eagerly long for.” It filled their minds with a single goal worth everything to attain and receive. While the garden of Eden had been forever lost to them, God had promised to replace it with “a city” God “has prepared for them.” The hope and desire for this city removed all other hopes and desires and took away the sting and discouragement of all that had been lost. The opportunity to return to what this world had left to offer in sin and the curse did not appeal to them. They loved God and the life He had created for them to live. They loved and desired what He offered far more than anything that is here and because of that “God is not ashamed to be called their God.”
- For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:14-16)
Conclusion. These things are recorded for our learning, admonition and example. These people are among the “great cloud of witnesses,” urging us to “lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us.” (Heb. 12:1-3). The power of God’s promises was more than enough to keep them faithful through trials and adversities. They trusted God. It never once entered their mind that He would promise less than He would give. They knew their labor was not in vain, and so do we.
- Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58