39. Surviving the Empty Nest When God Doesn't Keep His Promises
Episode 39
We don't usually talk about God not keeping His promises, particularly with our Christian friends. But it feels that way sometimes, doesn't it? The good news is the Bible addresses this. Don't you love how the Word isn't afraid to talk about the hard stuff? Let's not be afraid to talk about hard stuff either. If you feel like God hasn't kept His promises to you, take a listen!
Show Notes
Does the title of this podcast shock you? We don't usually talk about God not keeping His promises. That's not good talk. But it feels that way sometimes, doesn't it? Even if we don't talk about it.
The good news is the Bible addresses this. Don't you love how the Word isn't afraid to talk about the hard stuff?
Hebrews 11- referred to as the Hall of Faith, and in verse 1 the point is made that faith is not seen.
Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
But God’s promises can take a long time:
From time Abe & Sarah promised a son until have one: 25 years. 60 more years until see next generation
From promise of the Promised Land until Joshua leads them to take possession: approximately 470 years.
Link to wonderful chart: https://www.harpscrossing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Timeline-From-Abram-to-Exodus.pdf
Yet scripture assures us:
2 Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ... as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
Maybe it is His different measure of time.
2 Peter 3:8- But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
How Does This Effect The Empty Nest?
The empty nest can feel empty. Disappointing. Not how life was supposed to work out.
But here’s what I’ve learned: I won’t see all God’s promises here. Yet, I believe He will fulfill every one. Where do I get that?
Hebrews 11:13-16- These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:39-40- And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
The Lord’s not done. His plan still unfolds and every promise is sure, but His timing is VERY different. He’s not just looking here, at the earth. Our globe is a pin dot in His expanse. Our time is a blip in eternity.
If my NOT seeing a promise fulfilled now means that someone else has opportunity to be drawn into the Kingdom, then I’ll wait. I’m not claiming to be patient and I won’t promise to not complain.
But I want to wait and look for His fulfillment. I will see and greet the promises from afar.
5 Scripture To Encourage You
Psalm 27:13-14- I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 62:1- For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
Psalm 130:5- I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Isaiah 25:9- It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
Romans 8:24-25- For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.