1. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, one of the conditions for having God direct our paths is "trusting in the Lord with all the heart." 2. In order to trust in God, we must be convinced that He is trustworthy. 3. In our lesson we are emphasizing the fact that God keeps His promises. 4. Having confidence that God keeps His promises is one of the keys to trusting in Him with all the heart.
Discussion:
I. THE BIBLE DECLARES MANY TIMES THAT GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES
A. (Deuteronomy 7:7-9) Moses stated that God is faithful, and that He keeps His oaths and covenants. B. (1 Kings 8:54-56) Solomon said that God had kept His promise completely. C. (Hebrews 10:23) God is described as being "faithful that promised." D. (2 Peter 3:9) Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise."
II. GOD'S PROMISES CAN BE TRUSTED BECAUSE HE CANNOT LIE
A. Titus 1:1-2 B. Hebrews 6:17-18
III. GOD'S PROMISES TO BIBLE CHARACTERS ILLUSTRATE HOW HE KEEPS THEM
A. God made special promises to: 1. Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:4-5, 18; 17:6-8) a. God promised to give him many descendants. b. God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. c. God promised that kings would descend from him. d. God promised that all families [nations] of the earth would be blessed through his seed. 2. Sara (Genesis 17:15-16; 18:9-11) a. God promised her that she would give birth to a son. b. God promised that kings would descend from her. 3. Isaac (Genesis 26:1-4) a. God promised to give him many descendants. b. God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. c. God promised that all nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed. 4. Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15). a. God promised to give him many descendants. b. God promised to give Canaan to his descendants. c. God promised that all families of the earth would be blessed through his seed. B. God kept His promises to Abraham, Sara, Isaac, and Jacob. 1. Sara gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3). 2. God gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob many descendants (Exodus 1:7; 12:37). 3. God gave Canaan to their descendants (Joshua 21:43-45; 23:14). 4. Kings descended from Abraham and Sara (Matthew 1:1, 6-11). 5. All families [nations] of the earth were blessed through the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Galatians 3:8, 16, 26-29).
Conclusion:
1. Having confidence in the fact that God keeps His promises is one of the keys to trusting in Him with all the heart. 2. Another key is realizing that God blesses those who trust in Him with all the heart (Jeremiah 17:7-8).