Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of, “God’s promise of the future should give you hope today”? Maybe you’ve heard it dozens of times or said it just as many. In part, this saying stands because we believe the Bible teaches this principle; however, at the gut level, this idea can be challenging to hear and believe.
In Isaiah 7, God reminded Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah that he had ample reason to trust God. The evidence? A future promise. In a moment where it would have made sense to the human mind to reference a past experience or previous fulfillment, God chose to offer hope with a word about something that had not yet happened.
That future promise was the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God promised Christmas would come in order to encourage Ahaz to trust the Lord in that moment.
In hindsight, it is easy for us to read this and understand that God was forecasting a promise that we know He would ultimately keep. However, at the moment, this must have been perplexing to hear.
When we make our way through the New Testament and discover some of the beautiful and hopeful promises of the second return of Christ, the eternal joy of God’s people, and the faithfulness of God through trial and tribulation, we too might be tempted to wonder if it will actually happen.
Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” God is faithful. We can look to the past and find a record of this truth, which means we can look to the future with continued confidence. God is not a liar.
Though not overt, our faithlessness in the face of His future promises suggest that we at least think there may be a chance that He is not always true to His Word and faithful to fulfill His promises. Yet He will not waver, and we can set our faith in that.
Yes, be thankful for God’s faithfulness in the past, but also be confident in His future promises. God is present with us. He will not change His mind, His character, or His Word.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. You can access this week's video and lesson here.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: God told Isaiah about His plan to send a baby named Immanuel. One of Jesus' names is Immanuel. Immanuel means "God with us."
- Younger Preschool: God told Isaiah about His plan to send someone named Immanuel. Jesus is the One God promised to send. One of Jesus' names is Immanuel. Immanuel means "God with us."
- Older Preschool: Isaiah said that God was going to send someone named Immanuel. God’s promise came true when Jesus was born. One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel. The name Immanuel means “God with us.”
- Kids: God is present with us. He sent prophets to His people, even in captivity, and promised to send Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Jesus fulfilled this promise when He came to earth and was born of a virgin. Jesus is our Immanuel, God with us.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Younger Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
- Older Preschool: Where is God? God is everywhere and is always with us.
- Kids: Where is God? God is in all places at all times and is always with His people.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
- Younger Preschool: The Lord your God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17
- Older Preschool: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness … He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
- Kids: “The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
** Next week: God Delivered His People (Ezra 1)