Welcome back, Visionaries! Let’s continue to talk about something in the book of Ezra today – how God always keeps His promises. It’s like when your dad says he’ll take you to the park on the weekend, and he does! In the Bible, especially in Ezra, we see how God always keeps His promises to us. The return of the exiles and the reconstruction of the Temple serve as a testament to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, reminding believers of God’s reliability and the fulfillment of His word.
What Does It Mean?
God’s faithfulness means He always does what He says. If He promises something, He will make it happen, no matter what.
Why It’s Important
Knowing God keeps His promises helps us trust Him more. It’s like knowing your best friend will always share their snack with you.
Bible Verses to Remember
1. Ezra 1:1: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,”
• This shows God fulfilling His promise by making King Cyrus help the Israelites.
- Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
- God is always true to His word, unlike people who might sometimes forget their promises.
- Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
• Just like your parents make sure you have what you need, God promises to take care of us. - Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
• God has good plans for us, just like your teacher has a plan for the whole school year.
Real-Life Examples:
- When you were small and your parents promise a birthday surprise and it happens, that’s how God keeps His promises.
- if you’ve ever planted a seed and waited for it to grow, that’s faith in the promise of nature, just like we have faith in God’s promises.
Wrapping Up Our Wonderful Journey
So now visionaries, we’ve explored how God always keeps His promises, just like the most trustworthy friend you could ever have. Every verse we’ve shared is like a precious promise that shows God’s love and care for us.
Why and How to Learn More
• Why?: By learning about God’s faithfulness, we understand that we can always rely on Him, no matter what happens in our lives.
• How?: To dive deeper, you can read more stories from the Bible, like those of Abraham, Moses, and David, who experienced God’s faithfulness firsthand. Praying and asking God to show His faithfulness in your life is another beautiful way to connect with Him. Sharing your own experiences of God’s faithfulness with friends and family can also be very encouraging.
Time to Reflect and Share
As we celebrate how God always keeps His promises, let’s take a little break to think about promises in our own lives.
• Question for Reflection: Have you ever been promised something that came true? It could be as simple as a family outing or a special gift you received. How did it feel when that promise was kept?
• Activity Suggestion: Create a ‘Promise Jar.’ Each time you remember a promise that God has kept for you or your family, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. You can also include promises from the Bible that you have seen come true in your life or the lives of others. Share this jar with your family and friends, and discuss how these fulfilled promises show God’s faithfulness.
Let’s keep our hearts open to see the wonderful ways God fulfills His promises in our lives, and remember, He’s always there, keeping His word! And remember, a visionary mind nurtures a creative spirit. Let your vision guide you, keep your mission organized, and always keep creating. Until next time, stay visionary.
