The Promise
Growing up, I came across a lot of different phrases and many idiomatic expressions, either through English class in school or the different environments I found myself in. Like every other student, I studied and memorized these things because I was required to do so. These expressions added to my vocabulary and helped me become more fluent and eloquent. Out of all the things that I heard, only a few would actually stick with me. I fell in love with one of them in particular. Although I seldom use or even hear these expressions these days, this particular one by “Goi Nasu” stood out to me after going through a few situations that resonated with this expression:
"An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship ... "
My fascination with this expression led to my extensive research on the invention of ships and boats. I was just curious about the word used in the expression. In order not to overwhelm you with all the history behind their creation and invention, they were simply invented for the purposes of locomotion and commerce. Some of the oldest date back about 8,000 years to the Neolithic Stone age. A little history lesson doesn’t hurt, right?
As Christians, our journey in life is like that of a boat, and the world we are surrounded by represents our “sea”. We have a starting point and a destination. Throughout this journey, God has promised us a lot of things. Some of these promises have been brought to light through our lives, and in some instances through the lives of others around us. However, this journey and its promises differ for everyone. Just as the journey differs, similarly, the challenges of life and its complexity also differ. However, God has promised to be with us throughout the journey and He will see to it that we come to our expected destination.
In the book of Mark in chapter 4:35-41 NLT, the disciples were caught up in a situation - just as we find ourselves sometimes. Here, the disciples were caught in the midst of a storm. They were terrified and forgot they had in their midst the ONE who speaks to all situations. They forgot Jesus had instructed them, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake" - Mark 4:35.
Consequently, when the storm hit them, they forgot about the promises Jesus had for them - the promise to see them through and the promise to cross to the other side of the lake. Similarly, believers and individuals alike are sometimes faced with the same dilemma. God promises to take us places, but through the journey, things do happen. Situations change. Circumstances take a different turn. Sometimes we feel like God has left us hanging. And just like the disciples, when faced with adversities we start panicking and questioning God: "... Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" - Mark 4:38 NLT.
We forget that He promised us that we are crossing to that goal, crossing to get that degree, crossing to get healed of that disease, crossing to bring our children, fathers, and siblings back home, crossing to changing our behavior and character. The list goes on. It’s almost as if we think that our Father is human; that He promises and never delivers; that He promises and never shows up.
However, I want to assure you of one thing: that we serve a God who promises and delivers. He does not lie, and He does not change his mind.
"God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind..." - Numbers 23:19 NLT
All of His promises are yes and Amen, He will surely see us to the end of the journey and fulfill His promises.
"For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory" - 2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT
