Jesus told a very interesting story, which I paraphrase here. There were two brothers, who were asked by their father to help in his vineyard. One brother said "Yes I will do it!" But the other said "You must be joking, I will not go into the field in this hot weather". Both brothers later changed their minds. The one who said Yes did not go whilst the one who said No actually went out into the field and did a fantastic job. Jesus then asked a question – "Which of the two brothers did what was right?" Those listening said – the one who actually did what his father had said. (See Matthew 21: 28-31 for the full story).
From this story, I find it fascinating that God is saying to us, He values our actions much more than our promises! Keeping it very simple today, I want to remind you of what we already know – Like Father, like Son. What Jesus teaches us is exactly what He himself will do.
If you are believing God for any promise, put a smile on your face, even if you have to force it as an act of faith, and know that God will indeed do what He promised He will do. Why? Because, He attaches more importance to His own actions than to His words. If this weren’t true, why then would He say in James Chapter 2, “faith without works is dead”? If not convinced yet, just read the bible from A to Z and you will find the same thread to be true. He always follows up His promises with something, not just good, but very good! For example, after speaking the words “Let there be …..!” in Genesis 1, whatever He said happened and when He looked back at all He had created, it was very good. When the Son came into the scene, His first miracle was turning water into wine. I like The Message Bible description of this miracle in John Chapter 2:
When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!” John 2:9-10 [The Message]
Friend, I tell you, it may just be a matter of time. Whatever God has promised you, it will be the “finest …. “ and “best till now!” answer you will have. He is not like man that He should lie.
As I punch these words on my computer, I am just looking out of my window and guess what - a rainbow! I have been praying for weeks, asking God for a message for His hurting people. “I have turned the bow upside down. I would rather shoot Myself, than hurt you!”, He seems to be suggesting. And yes, it’s all true:
“This exile is just like the days of Noah for me:
I promised then that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth.
I’m promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down.
For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”
The God who has compassion on you says so. Isaiah 54: 9-10 [The Message]
Farai Mutsambiwa
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