26 October 2015

THE CONDITIONAL PROMISES OF GOD

By John Ollis

Some people may be offended by the title of this blog, as so many believers see God as the ‘fairy godmother” or “genie in the bottle” that when we click our fingers God has to jump and meet our need. It is too easy to take scriptures out of context and treat them in isolation, and not look at the context of the promise. With so many of the promises of God “the ball is in our court” or as a great man of God now in heaven (Ps. T.L. Evans) “If it is to be, it is up to me”.
In other words with so many of God’s promises, there is human responsibility to do our part. Let us look at Psalm 91.
The unnamed Psalmist tells us, v.1 we must learn to live (dwell, take up our permanent residence) in the secret place that we make prayer and worship a lifestyle , if we do we are promised that we will be aware of being under the shadow of the Almighty.
The only true place of refuge is living in His presence, and it becomes a fortress against all the attacks of the enemy.
By living in His presence He rescues us from hidden traps and shields us from deadly hazards v.3 Message Bible.
v.4 describes God as a large bird, who’s feathers cover and protect us, a modern translation says “His huge outstretched arms protect us, and under them we are perfectly safe”. v.5 We have nothing to fear either day or night, even though many others fall, and drop like flies, no harm will even touch us, it will be as if we are watching it all from a distance.

WHY ?

V.9, We have made God our refuge, His presence is our home, (we are not visitors to the presence of God). v.10 suggests there is a special kind of insulation that causes us not to be harmed.

PLUS

v.11 God orders His ANGELS to be around us, even if we stumble, they will catch us, their job description is to keep you from falling, and we shall walk unharmed amongst lions and snakes (spiritual forces) and even trample them under our feet.
We don’t hear many sermons about angels, and some things that are written are extreme, BUT angels are real, and are under orders to assist God’s people. I even regularly pray as I get in my car asking for angels to be around the vehicle as I drive.
The psalmist then reminds us again in v.14 and says “Because we have set our love on God (permanent and unwavering) as we hold onto God me dear life, God says, I will get you out of any trouble, I’ll give you the best of care, if you’ll only get to know and trust me (Message Bible.)
v.15 & 16 gives us this glorious promise “Call and I will answer, be at your side in bad times,(and in the good times) I’ll rescue you then throw you a party. What a generous loving God. We are promised long life and total satisfaction.
If you are not satisfied today, where are you looking for that satisfaction. GOD IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF TRUE SATISFACTION.
Here God through the Psalmist says:
If we dwell and live permanently in God’s presence,
If we set our love permanently on Him.

HE WILL MEET ALL OUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.

Thank God for His promises, but never forget, we have a responsibility to do our part, and we can then truly say and sing

Standing on the promises of Christ my King

Through eternal ages, let His praises sing

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing