Unbroken Promises
There are many issues that prevent an individual from accepting God’s word as true, one of which is the misconception that we have to earn our salvation and that God is not a fair God. Today’s post is not going to argue the fact that we cannot be “good enough” to earn our salvation. Mill House Ministries has written many posts devoted to helping our readers understand that it is through faith in Jesus Christ’s actions alone that brings about salvation. Instead, today I want to take a look at the false idea that God will turn back on His promises. This is a lie that has been created as a stumbling block to those who are either baby believers or those who are trying to understand God’s salvation. However, we can see in Psalm 89 a passage from God regarding His word.
“If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, 31 if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, 32 I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; 33 but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. 35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David— 36 that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; 37 it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”
Psalm 89:30-37
The beginning of Psalm 89 discusses how God has sworn to David that his throne will never end; a fact we see true since Jesus Christ came from the line of David and He will reign permanently on earth, then Psalm 89 begins to go into the author praising God so it may seem out of place that verse 30 starts off with God making the statement that if David’s descendants decide to not follow Him that He will punish them. However, when you read through 1 and 2 Chronicles as well as 1 and 2 Kings, you see that this is exactly what happens. Many kings failed to follow God and their reign was poor. Through these historical books of the Bible, we see how God does punish the kings that do not follow Him. But we also see that God continually states that God is not willing to destroy them because of the covenant made to David. God’s promises hold true even when we are not faithful to Him.
For us today, there are many Christians who fear messing up and that being the cause for them to lose their salvation. However, we can see from God’s word that He keeps His promises. There may be consequences for our actions, but God has promised that when we belong to Him, nothing can separate us from Him. “25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:25-29.
Further evidence of this fact is found again in Psalm 89. God promised that David’s line would continue forever and his throne would be established forever. This is completed in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a descendant of the line of David and He is reigning today and will one day physically reign on earth. “15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15.
Remember fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, when we hear the lie that we need to earn our salvation or that God is unfair; remember that His word holds true. God did not destroy the line of David due to a promise He made, He will not abandon those who belong to Him.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex