WEDNESDAY February 24, 2021

A Confirmed Covenant

And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:17-18

God always confirms His promises. The Law was given four hundred and thirty years after Abraham. This means Abraham received God’s promises by faith before he was ever circumcised. In God’s Word are written the promises given to Abraham in: Genesis 12: 1-3, 7; Genesis 13:14-15; Genesis 18:18, and Genesis 24:7. It was not until later that Abraham became circumcised. He first believed in God by faith.

Later, remember, the Jews taught there was no way a person could become a Jew unless they were circumcised. They also taught the Galatians that salvation came through circumcision––not so. Salvation came through faith in Jesus Christ. Everything is through faith––from Abraham until now. I love that.

Think about it. Was the promise of Abraham’s inheritance a result of the law? Absolutely not! It was a result of believing in God’s promises by faith, even though he did not see them. The Holy Spirit was given as a promise to all those who, through faith, have accepted Jesus Christ. We, too, believe in the promises of God by faith, even though we have not fully seen all of them:

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

God will fulfill His promises in His time. God desires to bless us––and has blessed us––fully and completely.

There is not a promise––not a word in the Bible––that is not ours. In the depths of tribulation, it will comfort. In the midst of waves of distress, it will cheer, when sorrows surround, it will be our helper.
~Charles Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!