FULLY ASSURED

"Did not my words and my statues…overtake your fathers?" (Zechariah 1:6)

Have you ever noticed how the media tend to define athletes by their most recent performances? After Phil Mickelson tragically gave up the U.S. Open on the final hole last summer, all kinds of speculative ruminations suggested that he might be finished forever, that he was mentally broken, and on and on they went.

He did in fact struggle for a few tournaments and basically took the last part of the season off, missing the Tour Championship. But, as is always the case, the cream eventually rises to the top. In the end there is no getting around the fact that true talent will prevail.

Based on that reasoning, God has a pretty good shot at finishing at the top of the heap. His words, His take on reality, His assessment of the future, His plans, His everything will—eventually—come to fruition. My friends, God’s words will find their fulfillment in time. In moments of despair, however, it may appear that He has taken a vacation, that He has other business in another galaxy, that the prophets may have overstated His real intentions or even His real power.

Well, let’s not go there! It’s like saying Tiger is finished simply because he doesn’t win for a couple of weeks in a row. It may make for some good press, but you’d lose your house, your belongings and your 401K if you made a trip to Vegas on that speculation.

But even more assured of future wins than Tiger is the great I Am.

God’s words, once spoken, are 100 percent guaranteed to come to pass. I love what God says through the prophet Zechariah:

 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.”’ But they did not listen or give heed to Me,” declares the Lord. “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers?” (Zechariah 1:4-6)

Though the prophets were men, just like us, God chose to speak through them and give us an advance warning of things to come. As history has shown, God gets it right every time. EVERY TIME! The words He has spoken have certainly seen their fulfillment in judgment through time, and will equally see their fulfillment in love and mercy throughout eternity.

Jesus said that He was going ahead of us to prepare a place for us. I have a feeling that “place” will be pretty spectacular—full of life, vital relationships and a restored creation in every way! Eventually, these words of promise will overtake those who have had ears to hear them. Suddenly, we will be with Him forever.

Phil, Tiger, Ernie… those guys will eventually run out of steam. The Father’s words, however, will not! You can bet your life on it!

--

Jeffrey Cranford

February 15, 2007

Copyright 2007 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.