Hennie Symington

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:14

Modern man with his passion for quick-fixes and speed does not like waiting. Our motto is: The sooner the better. We want things done now. We even get impatient with computers sending message at lightning speed for not doing it fast enough. Fast food is our daily bread and heaven help you if you keep someone waiting at the traffic light.

When we want something, we want it now. So when God sometimes says "not yet" it sounds to our ears like "never". In our minds God’s promises will only come to pass at the end of time. For us that means “never” while we forget about the many promises of God that have already been fulfilled in our time.

Promises that have already come to pass: Many thousands of years ago, when King Solomon dedicated the temple he had built to God he boldly declared:" there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant." (1 Kings 8:56)

In our own lives here and now the following promises are fulfilled daily:

God forgives our sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

God's nature and character remain steadfast. "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi.3:9a)

God will never forsake us. "… and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20 (KJV))

God sends his Holy Spirit to dwell within us. "The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are his." (Ephesians 1:14)

We are God’s family. "Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his sons and daughters." (Ephesians 1:5)

He answers our prayers and takes care of our needs. "If God clothes the grass of the field, which today and tomorrow is burned, so decorated, how shall He not for you, O ye of little faith?" (Matthew 6: 30)

He assures us of salvation. "…and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John. 10:28

However, the greatest promise that God has fulfilled in living memory is that He sent his Son to reconcile mankind with God. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,    And they shall call his name Emmanuel… (Matthew 1:23)

Enjoy Christmas with and attitude of gratitude and for all God’s promises which have been fulfilled in our lives.

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me when I’m quick to point out promises that have not yet come to pass, but slow to acknowledge the many promises that are fulfilled in my life every day. Amen