Foundations Week 1, Day 4

Scripture Read:  Genesis 8 - 9
Title: God Makes and Keeps Promises
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H.E.A.R. Entry
(H) Highlight verse::  "And God said, 'This is the guarantee of the covenant that I am making with you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all subsequent generations: I will place my rainbow in the clouds, and it will become a guarantee of the covenant between me and the earth...'""  Genesis 9:12 - 13
(E) Explain:  After the flood , God makes a promise or a covenant to never destroy all living creatures by a flood ever again.  The word covenant is introduced in this verse.  According to the Tyndale Bible Dictionary covenant means "an arrangement between two parties involving mutual obligations; especially the arrangement that establishes the relationship between God and His people."
God is a promise maker and a promise keeper.  This should encourage all believers, because this simply means that God is trustworthy.  As we have read, we know that because of God's holiness He  had to deal with the evil sin and corruption of the world at this time and He did by sending the floodwaters (purging).  But also because of His holiness, grace and mercy He made the promise to never do this again.  We see in these last few chapters that God is a God who does judge sin, but He is also a God of grace and mercy who forgives and provides ways of protection for His children
(A) Application:  I am glad God keeps His promises.  In a day and age where it is hard to trust people and their promises, I can take comfort in knowing that God is trustworthy.  God has made promises to me that I know He will keep.and has kept, and  I hold on to these promises daily.  But even better than personal promises to me is the promise of God setting this right through Jesus Christ (salvation and redemption).  God established a new covenant through Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ willingly went to the cross and gave his life as a ransom so that all who place their faith in Him shall receive abundant and eternal life.  This is a promise made by God and it is a trustworthy promise.  You and I can now have a relationship with God, here on earth, that is real, personal and communal.  Thank God for His promises!
(R) Respond:  Thank you Lord for your promises.  Thank you for keeping your promises.  Thank you for being trustworthy.  May I live my life as a faithful promise keeper, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to you and to those who are around me.