SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS

Commentary by Walter Albritton

March 23, 2008

 

You Can Count On It: God Keeps His Promises!

 

2 Chronicles 6; Luke 24

 

Key Verse: Now the Lord has fulfilled his promise that he made; for I have succeeded my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. – 2 Chronicles 6:10  

 

          This scriptural passage reveals the remarkable attitude of King Solomon. His focus is on God, not on the magnificent temple that has been constructed under Solomon’s guidance. Nine out of ten people would have been bragging about the beauty of the temple and at least subtly claiming credit for its splendor.

          Instead Solomon gives the glory to God. The temple, Solomon is saying, is “not about me; it is about God.”  He wanted the people to understand that the temple was the result of God keeping his promises, not the king’s crowning achievement. God promised the temple and he kept his word.

          Though the temple was actually one of the most beautiful buildings ever constructed, what mattered to Solomon was God’s faithfulness. So we see how wise Solomon was; he turned the spotlight on God and away from himself.

          Not only was Solomon wise, he was also surprisingly humble. In full view of “the whole assembly of Israel,” Solomon “knelt on his knees” and offered a prayer praising God for keeping his promise to his father David. It must have been an awesome sight to see the king on his knees in prayer, humbly lifting his hands toward heaven. The people there that day surely remembered his stunning words of praise for years go come: “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant in steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart.”

          Since today is Easter Sunday our lesson wisely directs us to a parallel New Testament passage. There, in Luke 24, God is again praised by a king for keeping his promises. That king is King Jesus. The scene is our Lord’s walk to Emmaus after his resurrection. On the road Jesus explains to his grieving companions that the Old Testament promises about him had been fulfilled. God has now raised him from the dead, as he promised. Soon the promised Holy Spirit would come upon the disciples, empowering them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to all nations.

          God promised to send his Son to die for the sins of the world so that the world might be reconciled to him. He kept that promise. He promised to raise his Son from the grave. He did just that so that for two thousand years Jesus might live in the hearts of those who repent, believe, and are baptized.

          God promised to send the Holy Spirit upon believers, giving them the power to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Gloriously God kept that promise and continues to keep it. He promises forgiveness of our sins when we turn from our sins to embrace the living Christ.

          The solid foundation of our faith is the faithfulness of our God. He keeps his promises. When all else fails, you can count on this: God keeps his promises! We find peace for our troubled hearts when we claim God’s precious promises and ask for grace to “walk in his ways.” He has made us in his image and expects us to imitate him. We do that by practicing love and forgiveness, and by being kind and compassionate to all people. In so doing we become more and more Christlike.

          Find a quiet place. Take a moment for prayer. Like Solomon, you may want to get on your knees and lift your hands to heaven. Thank God for his faithfulness in keeping his promises. Thank him for the blessings you have received because you claimed his promises. Thank him for the difference Christ has made in your life since you embraced him as your Savior. Thank him for the joy of knowing that He lives within your heart. Ask him for the grace and courage to tell others what the love of Jesus means to you. Ask him to reveal his immediate will for your life and for the strength to do it with your whole heart. Rejoice that you can serve a risen Savior.

          When you say Amen, you will have celebrated Easter in a beautiful way! Sing alleluia and enjoy His Presence. He is with you and will never leave you. That He promised – and He keeps his promises! + + +

  (Contact Walter at walbritton@elmore.rr.com)