Has this happened to you? I have experienced this many times over the last few years. Recently, I went from one area of my house to another to do something or find an item, and forgot why I had gone into that room. It’s becoming increasingly clear that I need to leave clues for myself or put a note in an obvious place to remind me to do something I need to do.
I try to be responsible to myself and others by doing what I say I will do, but I find remembering to do what I say more challenging than it used to be. I could excuse myself for times when I forget by saying “I’m too busy,” but the truth is that age is taking its toll on my mind as well as my body. My intentions are good, but my memory is not as good as it used to be.
Isn’t it wonderful that God doesn’t forget his promises to us! He forgives and forgets our sins, but he doesn’t forget the promises he makes to us in his Word. When God makes a promise in His Word, you can count on it happening. Today, we will see how God remembers the details in the promises He makes and follows through on them. We have a beautiful reminder of this truth in the nineteenth chapter of Exodus. Here’s how the chapter begins,
“In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. ….And there Israel camped in front of the mountain.” Exodus 19:1-2
Three months have passed since Israel left Egypt on its way to the Promised Land. So what? What does this have to do with God remembering details of his promises? Let’s return to the conversation between God and Moses at the blazing bush in Exodus, Chapter 3, for the answer. You may recall that Moses was not convinced he was the right person for the job, or if God’s plan would work. In Exodus 3:12, God assures Moses that He will go with him into Egypt and adds a detail to the promise to demonstrate He is the One who has freed the Israelites. Look for the detail.
“Certainly, I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” Exodus 3:12. The mountain referenced in this promise is the same mountain where Moses received his commission from the Lord! Just as He promised, Moses returned to Sinai, this time bringing with him God’s People.
What’s the lesson here? What does this tell us about God? God was saying to Moses, ” I’m going to be with you and stay with you in what I’ve called you to do.” The promise he would return to Sinai was to assure Moses of God’s future presence, and to remind him of God’s faithfulness up to that point in the long journey. Be encouraged by the reality that God is in the details of your life. Here are a few details of the promise God made to you when you accepted Jesus as your Savior.
John 3:16 is a good example of how God has handled “details” with us. What are the details in that promise that apply to us? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” While there are several wonderful things to consider in this promise, there are two details you don’t want to miss. First, God’s love is extended to the “whole world,” not just a select few people. God’s offer of eternal life is for everyone; an important detail to remember and live by. The other detail you don’t want to miss is captured in the idea that “whosoever” believes in Him can have eternal life. Anyone in the world can accept God’s offer by putting their trust in Jesus; poor, rich, ignorant, educated, every race, good, bad, young, or old. The gospel is good news because of the details we sometimes overlook; all of us are included in the promise. God hasn’t left us out.
One of God’s promises I rely on the most is found in Romans 8:28. I am reminded of its reassuring message when I’m confused or disappointed when I see bad things happening to good people. I find hope and comfort in these words when things tend to go sideways in my life: “God works in everything for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” The message is that God works in our lives to bring about His will for us, a wonderful and amazing promise. But there is a detail we must not miss. What’s the detail? God isn’t limited, choosing only the good and positive things to work for good for us. No, the detail is that He “works in everything for good” for us. Try to wrap your mind around this. Anything God allows to happen to you: sickness, betrayal, your sin and that of others, divorce, you name it, and God can use it. This doesn’t condone or encourage disobedience, nor does it deny the reality of bad things, deep sorrow, or regret. The promise is that God can and will work in it with us to bring some good out of it.
Take heart! While “The devil may be in the details, “God can”work in everything for good” if we will allow Him to do it.
Share this encouraging message with family and friends by forwarding this blog or directing them to my website at http://www.cosdavis.com . Thanks, Cos