God Cannot Lie (1)
"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear that they would take his bones with them when God led them out of Egypt - AS HE WAS SURE GOD WOULD." Exodus 13:19.
Immutability is the right word to use when attempting to describe God's faithfulness to His words, promises and purposes. The counsel of God does not fail. Even when everything looks like it will not come to pass: man has forgotten, no records kept, time spent, everything looking negative and the enemy already in jubilation, His ultimate purpose still finds a way to break through the barriers and get established. And it is not very difficult to understand why it is so. A word of a person carries His/her authority, attributes and power. The God of Israel; Jehovah is the maker and controller of all things. He sees eternity from eternity. He knows the end of everything from the beginning. He has the whole universe and the happenings in His hands. And He is the Almighty, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. So, nothing can actually challenge His words.
What we are just trying to say here is that the word and promises of God are irreversible, final, unalterable and binding. They cannot be changed by man, Satan or circumstances. They will always come to pass at the divine appointed time. I love the way the writer of Hebrew puts it, "So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie." Yes, it is impossible for God to lie! Why should He? Is it to please men that are just His creatures? Or to protect Himself? Obtain favour? Defend His actions? Satisfy anybody or what? The bible said that He made all things for His own pleasure and glory. That is, He is not rushing to impress anybody. So, why would He say or promise things that He would not bring to pass? Why would He do things that would impinge on His integrity? Now, what has God said about you? Hold it very firmly because it will certainly come to pass.
The bible is more of a book of prophecies and the fulfillment of prophecies. From Genesis to Revelation. God demonstrating His capacity and willingness to accurately and totally bring His words to pass. This is also why you will read from the scriptures - And it came to pass. As it was written. As the Lord said. As she was told. As the angel of the Lord told him. As the prophets said, etc. Here, we cannot actually go into all the details of the records of the fulfillment of God's promises in the scripture, but let's just mention three outstanding instances.
Look at when God called Abram (Abraham) out. Abraham was nobody, had nothing, and had no child. But God began to tell him what He would do with and for him. God told him what would become of his descendants hundreds and thousands of years to come. God told him that his (Abram's) descendants will be like the stars of haven. Uncountable. He would bring Abraham out in the night and tell him to begin to count the stars; that if he could, then, he would be able to count his future descendant.
He will make a very strong and formidable nation out of them. He told him that these his descendants will eventually be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years, but that He will still bring them out and establish them in their own land. He would take Abraham to the land being occupied by very powerful, unconquerable nations and tell him to look and match around for that was going to be for his descendants. Imagine that! He also told him that his descendant (Jesus Christ) would be a blessing to all nations of the world. And that was to fulfill thousands of years after. Did any one of these promises fail??
Now, God made good all His promises to Abraham and his descendants. He began by giving Abraham a child at his old age; when all natural, historical and medical facts proved that it was impossible. Beyond every expectation. In fact, a certain translation said that Sarah gave birth to Isaac when her womb has already been considered DEAD. Sarah was ninety and Abraham one hundred years! Do you want to talk about the riches and wealth? He did exactly what He promised Abraham. He made him rich, famous and very powerful, just as He promised.
What do you want to say about the descendants of Abraham? Can you count them today? The Nation of Israel, the Arab Jews, African Jews, European Jews. The Jews in America, Russia, even in Asia. Remember also that there are those who are children of Abraham by faith and these are billions of Christians all over the world. All very formidable, organized, wealthy and powerful. In fact, I always laugh when Israel is being threatened. This is because I know very well that no nation on earth can easily defeat those people. When you point at the Israel in Palestine, you will be contending with the uncountable (and sometimes unidentifiable), powerful, formidable Jewish solidarity in Diaspora. God's promises truly cannot fail. You can trust Him. Till next week, blessings!
Rev Agbo is the author of the book Power of Midnight Prayer. E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.authorsden.com/pastorgabrielnagbo Tel: 08037113283