So often, during times of hardship or even while we are just busy living our chaotic lives with daily challenges and unexpected little crises, we forget about God's promises. Those specific promises He made to us as individuals. When we are in turmoil our friends would often try to encourage us by quoting uplifting Bible verses. But, do we ever really listen and internalise those promises? Do we really believe that God is actually using our friends to talk to us? When we read the Bible, God often uses it to spark a promise to life and we might think, Wow! This is so relevant... but then we forget it again so quickly.
What struck me this morning was this promise Jesus made to His disciples just after they sang a hymn, after they broke the bread, which He told them was His flesh and drank the wine, which He told them was His blood: "But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Matt. 26:32)
Wow. I don't think they really heard this promise, being so distraught by what just happened with Judas and all... two profound promises in one very short sentence.
"After I am raised up..." Do you think they even registered what He'd just said? Being raised up must mean death first. Being raised up means conquering DEATH! I wonder whether at least one of them double-clutched and went: "Wait! What?"
Then He continues... "I will go before you to Galilee." Now, that is profound, prophetic confidence. Again, I don't think they heard it properly, because they were all very surprised when He did just that. If you read two chapters further... Matthew 28:7 "Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." The angel confirms Jesus's double promise of being raised from the dead and meeting them in Galilee. It must have clicked then. They must have thought: "Oh! Yes, now I remember! He did say this!"
We should all be more attentive to God's promises. He truly does have everything under control. When things seem to be utterly frustrating and chaotic, be still, listen to His promises. Both from your friends and His Word.
He will keep them. I promise.
