Parallel Promises

Genesis 15.1 God tells Abram not to be afraid. God tells Abram, "I am your shield" and Abram's reward is great.

Judges 6.12 The angel of the Lord tells Gideon, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."

Ephesians 2.6 God through Paul writing to the saints in Ephesus, "...God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus."

In the case of Abram and Gideon, both men react by discounting God's promise and deliverance by noting their present circumstances. Abram had no heir at the time and Gideon was trying to scrape up some food. God ignores their present circumstances addressing them as if all His promises had already been fulfilled. Abram and Gideon are distracted by their present circumstances and brings those circumstances to the forefront of their conversations with God.

When I read in Eph. 2.6 the promises through Christ to the saints in Ephesus and to modern day Christians as well, I wonder how many times I allow my present circumstances to distract me from the coming promises of God. Both Abram and Gideon had the faith to execute God's will in their lives. Gideon did need further convincing, but in the end took advantage of the opportunity God gave him for greatness. Abram believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.

The only scene left to play out is how will I react to God's promise and opportunity for greatness? There will be some who are raised up with Christ and seated with Christ in Christ at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but in the one to come. (Eph. 1.20-21) The fulfillment of these promises are definitely coming to pass. Will I be part of that glory or will it take place without me?

Only through Christ do I have this kind of opportunity.