Promises Fulfilled
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Promises Fulfilled
Promises Fulfilled
[Pray]
As we enter into this final Sunday before Christmas, I would like to say a promise from God is the best present ever. Is there anything that stands the test of time without fading, wearing out, or is there anything else that is more guaranteed to happen or work out exactly as described?
As we enter into this Christmas time of year, celebrating Christ’s birth, we remember one of the greatest promises. We remember Christ the Savior was promised first to Israel. Let’s read that promise given in Micah 5:2-5
The New Revised Standard Version The Ruler from Bethlehem
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
5 and he shall be the one of peace.
Promised here is the is a new ruler, the one who comes not from the biggest city, or the latest popular family, or the latest political ruler, or anything that typically might happen. Here is something new that has not happened before if you pay close attention to the promise. From little ole Bethlehem, the small town, where the tribe living there about one of the small tribes, where God will promises a new ruler, one who is from ancient days, whose origin is from of old. In other words, This new ruler is going to come from the least expected place and has authentic claims to rule based on ancient roots that qualify this ruler.
Here is a promise of God that, a new ruler, who is from of old, who will come from the least expected place (Bethlehem). Notice that God’s promise is both specific and general. It is specific in the sense that he is giving the place and hints that this new ruler will be completely different than the rulers they had known. It is general because there is no time frame given, nor does it say how this will come about. The promise is given with just the right amount of detail to let the reader know that something quite unexpected will come, with a ruler who will bring peace to God’s people. What did the Israelites need more than anything else? Peace from all the conquering nations and turmoil that they seemed to always be caught in the middle of.
Can you think of something that you need more than anything that only God can deliver on? Are you willing to trust God with the details, while you may only be given general ideas of the promise?
I am here to say that God promises us certain general promises and those promises are trustworthy and true and guaranteed to be fulfilled. If we fast forward in scripture, we will look at part of story in Luke where Mary and Elizabeth have an interaction and God’s promise is confirmed as being fulfilled. Lets read Luke 1:39-55
39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country,
40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?
44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Mary has been told of the promise of God being fulfilled through her and this baby. Here is Elizabeth, who knew nothing of Mary’s conversation with the Angel, yet here is confirmation of God’s promise being fulfilled. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims this joyous news that God’s promise is being fulfilled. Mary responds in kind by praising God for fulfilling the promise.
When God fulfills one of the promises, or when we notice God interacting in our lives, is our first response like Elizabeth and Mary so call it out and praise God? How can we do better at this if we are not? This holiday season, I would ask that each of us takes time to look and see where God has fulfilled one or more promises with you, and thank and praise God for this. This is one of the great gifts we receive, God’s promise and promises fulfilled.