Have you noticed that the titles of last Sunday's sermon and for this article are the same? Yes, they are, for the reason that God is emphasizing that message, that He keeps His promises.
When I preached that message, I didn't have a title for it, although I knew exactly what I wanted to say. It was on Monday morning that I decided on the title. Little did I know that that same day, a certain church member dreamt that I had given that exact title to the sermon!
Interestingly, it is that same church member who, at the end of service, told me that they had prayed the previous day for God to speak to them through me as I preached. God honored that request! From the moment I opened my mouth, I was literally answering every question and concern they had taken before God on Saturday. Even my last Scripture reading, (Isaiah 54:4a), was part of what they needed to hear from God. This church member even came to me with another member, with whom they had conversation about some promises which God gave the former but have not yet come to pass. These two were wondering whether God was still interested in fulfilling those promises because it’s been a long time since the promises were given. At the end of the conversation, they said a simple prayer, asking God to speak to them about the matter. Through the sermon, God reminded them of His faithfulness, and comforted them that He is still intent on fulfilling His word.
The take-home message for us in all this is that God is emphasizing to us in this season that He is a promise keeper. He will be faithful to fulfill whatever He promised.
The very first promise that God gave mankind was the coming of the Redeemer (Genesis 3:14-15). In the fullness of time, after thousands of years of waiting, God fulfilled His promise when Jesus was born (Galatians 4:4). That is what Christmas is all about. In the same manner, God will perform what He promised you/us, even when it seems like we have waited for a very long time. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry" (Habakkuk 2:3).
Today, as you celebrate the birth of Jesus - the fulfilment of the very first promise God gave Man - remember that He is watching over His promise to you, to fulfill it. "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 54:4a). For the faithful God will not allow His word to fail.
Merry Christmas.