Can you think back to when you gave a promise recently to someone, and then because of time constraints or some other obstacle you really had to press in order to keep it? Remember how you were motivated to move faster or find a way to make it happen so you could keep your word? Consider then how our loving God, who is able to literally move Heaven and Earth, and will do so in order to keep His promises to us.
“God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). We are talking about the Creator of the Universe. Is not the One who spoke all that we can see into existence also able to perform every promise that He has spoken as well? There is no one more equipped to keep their promises to you than God Almighty. Because He existed before you came into being, because he is all powerful and because He loves you with an everlasting love – even before the foundations of the world (John 17:24).
Knowing that there is no “guarantee” that can be counted on in this world to be fulfilled like one that the Lord issues, now look at a promise from God where He issues a test onto Himself.
“Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10) The word “prove” used above is translated from bâchan in the Hebrew as to mean “test”.
As one author wrote, this is an opportunity for God and not for us. It is an opportunity for God to show His glory to us in fulfilling His Word and to reinforce that He alone is completely trustworthy. Think about how you already trust Jesus with something as priceless as your eternal destiny… what we are talking about here is merely trusting Him with the first tenth of your earnings.
In return, He not only promises to overtake you with blessings that cannot be contained, He will even “rebuke the devourer for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground”. God can be trusted to not only bless us but to defend us against the enemy.
In needing to remember His Word, in Proverbs 7 we are encouraged to “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” God has no such trouble in remembering what He has said to do for us – “He has given food and provision to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever and imprint it [on His mind].” (Psalms 111:5) And He also will be on time… “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises” (2 Peter 3:9)
Lastly, if you find yourself beaten down by finances, be encouraged to accept this invitation from Christ Jesus:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
