God Keeps His Promises

Their story began with groaning and cries for help. God heard. God saw.

God knew.

He said, “I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt (Exodus 3:17).”

God’s promise was fulfilled. “On the day after Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians (Numbers 33:3).

God hears our groaning and cries for help.

God sees and knows us.

He promises us comfort and peace and a safe arrival in his heavenly kingdom.

A Request that Brought Joy

Art class was over. She asked me if she could stay to finish making a friendship bracelet. I said no until I realized why she was asking. It was her friend’s birthday and she wanted to give the bracelet to her as a gift.

It gave me joy to let her stay.

I think God gets joy when we ask for things to give to our friends.

The Reality of God’s Wrath

Phinehas took a stand against sin and God’s wrath was turned away (see Numbers 25:6-13).

God’s Son, Jesus, who died for our sin, delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36).

A Salvation Story

They spoke against God and Moses. Their consequence was death. Those still living confessed, “We have sinned; we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray for us.” So Moses prayed and God told him how to help (from Numbers 21:5-9).

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life (John 3:14-15).

Sin, consequence and confession are part of every salvation story.

Why We Can Pray With Confidence

Before Christ came, priests represented the people in matters related to God. Priesthood was a gift (from Hebrews 5:1, Numbers 18:7).

Now we have a great high priest, Jesus, the Son of God. He sympathizes with weakness, understands temptation, and offers mercy and grace (from Hebrews 4:14-16).

We pray with confidence because Jesus represents us.