A promise-keeping God

David crowned king in Hebron - Artist unknown

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Psalm 89:19-37

TO CHEW ON: "Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him,
Nor allow My faithfulness to fail." Psalm 89:33

In this psalm Ethan the Ezrahite praises God for His faithfulness to Israel for giving her David as a king (Psalm 89:20,21). Through David's line and God's covenant with him, they will survive as a nation (Psalm 89:22-29). Even their disobedience won't cause God to go back on His promises, though God will punish their sin (Psalm 89:30-37).

This psalm also has a prophetic tone. There are many places in it that remind us of Jesus:

• He had power over the sea (Psalm 89:25 compare Matthew 8:26,27).

• He repeatedly referred to God as His Father (Psalm 89:26 compare to John 5, 8, 10, 14, 15).

• Paul called Him the "firstborn over all creation" (Psalm 89:27 compare to Colossians 1:15-17).

• His throne / kingdom will last forever (Psalm 89:29, 36-37 compare to Luke 1:33).

• He took the stripes for our sin (Psalm 89:32 compare to Isaiah 53:5 and Mark 15:15, Matthew 27:26).

God keeps His promises. The nation of Israel survives to this day. Millions have accepted God's free gift of salvation over the centuries because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin on the cross and then rose again to conquer sin's final penalty, death.

Are you in a place today where God seems distant and His promises broken?  Do you feel like He's forgotten you and left you to your own devices? Remember He is still the God of Ethan the Ezrahite and Moses and the New Testament writers. His faithfulness will not fail:

"Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments" - Deuteronomy 7:9.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" - Hebrews 13:8.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for being a God who keeps promises. When You feel far away, help me to keep trusting You and the promises You have made. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.