Today’s scripture: Galatians 3:15-18 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Morgan Stewart):
Our scripture today mentions the word covenant. Although this word loosely translates as “promise”, it is a word rich with meaning throughout the Bible — especially to signify an important pledge or vow between God and an individual. Have you ever made a covenant or sincere promise to someone?
Anytime I hear the word “promise”, I’m reminded of an event I witnessed firsthand when I attended a wedding rehearsal several years ago. With attendants watching, the minister asked the bride, “Do you promise to love, honor and obey this man, your husband, for all time?” We were all stunned when she deviated from the anticipated “I do” response to answer tartly, “Love and honor I can go along with, but not obey!” We all had a good laugh, but I applauded the young woman for not making a promise she didn’t intend to keep.
The passage for today mentions a promise made by God to Abraham, to be kept for all times. Even though Abraham was very old and childless, God made an unconditional promise of blessings through Abraham’s seed. To human ears, this promise seemed unlikely — nearly ludicrous — yet God delivered.
So just how many of these great promises do you think are in the Bible? Many Bible scholars claim there are thousands. The disciple Peter calls these “precious” promises. Precious, indeed. If God promises, God will do it! We have to be like Abraham — fully persuaded that what God has promised will be delivered.
Thought for the day: What God Hath Promised by Annie Johnson Flint
God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.God hath not promised we shall not know, toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear, many a burden, many a care.God hat not promised smooth roads and wide, swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep, never a river, turbid and deep.But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to start, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.
We’ve just finished our study of the Gospel of Mark, and we’ll begin a new theme in Be Still and Know on September 1. The next three weeks will be “Variety Weeks” — a little of this, and a little of that. Enjoy!