Trusting His Incredible Promises

27 APRIL

Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. Jeremiah 31:8

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Isaiah 49:1-17

Though the prophet addresses this teaching to ancient people, it contains truth that is perpetually useful. People act preposterously when they measure God's favor according to present appearances. This mistake that we almost inherit by nature involves all our thoughts and feelings. It also produces a lack of confidence in God. All of God's promises then grow cold to us, or at least lose their true value.

For when God promises anything, we look around us and ask how that can possibly be fulfilled. If our minds cannot comprehend the way and manner that a promise can come true, we then reject what has proceeded from the mouth of God. Let us carefully consider this prophetic doctrine so that when God promises what surpasses our faith and seems impossible to fulfill, this doctrine will come to our minds. Let it serve as a corrective to check our false thoughts, lest we, being preoccupied be a false and preposterous opinion, should do wrong to the power of God. 

If the deliverance that God promises seems incredible to us, let us remember that God has the power to make the blind to see, the lame to walk, the pregnant and those lying in bed to undertake a journey; for He can by His power overcome all obstacles. We shall find our faith victorious, provided we learn to rely on God's promises and firmly rest on them.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION:

Imagine how hard it would have been for the Jews to receive these promises in so dark a time, and yet, they were fulfilled.

We often doubt God's amazing promises because our present circumstances seem so bleak. Until we learn to fully lean on God and His promises, understanding that darkness and light are both alike to Him (Psa. 139:12), our faith will not be victorious. What circumstances are you facing today that require faith?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke