Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Commands and Promises
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Commands and Promises
Scott J. Hafemann wrote, “Every command of God is built upon a promise from God. Therefore every divine call to action (obedience) is, at the same time, a divine summons to trust in God’s promises (faith). The promises of God are commands in disguise and vice versa. God commands what he commands because he promises what he promises.”1
We often think of Abraham as a man of faith and Sarah as a woman who wavered and even laughed at God’s promise. But that’s not the way she is portrayed in the book of Hebrews. Though there were times she was impatient or wanted to doubt God’s promise, Sarah remained faithful to Him. She was strengthened in her faith and believed God would do as He said.
Do you ever waver in your faith? Like Abraham and Sarah, we’re not perfect. We grow impatient and fretful. But when we realize that every promise of God is also a command and every command contains the seed of a promise, it helps us trust and obey and find strength. As you read the Bible today, keep your eyes focused on God’s commands and promises. He will strengthen you!
Every time we disobey God it is because we are not trusting him.
Scott J. Hafemann
For Your Phone or Tablet
Official Mobile App and Lock Screens
Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
-
King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
-
Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
-
Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
-
Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
-
Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).