God makes many promises in His word.  In the Old Testament book of Exodus, when God was forming a people for Himself, He made this promise:   “If you obey me and keep my covenant you will be my own special treasure among all the nations of the earth, for all the earth belongs to me and you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”  Exodus 19:5-6  

Notice the promise is conditional--IF you do this (obey me and keep my covenant) THEN you will receive this (you will be my own special treasure among all the nations of the earth, for all the earth belongs to me and you will be to me a kingdom of priests, my holy nation).  God's promises come in two types:  conditional and unconditional.  Many of the promises to the Israelites during their period of formation as a nation were conditional, if-then, type of promises.  We do find unconditional promises in the Old Testament.  For example, David's promise to David that there would always be a descendant of his on the throne of Israel was unconditional.  David's descendants often made the promise challenging to keep because of their wicked actions, but for David's sake, God kept the promise.

In the New Testament we find that God's most important promise to us is unconditional--the promise of salvation in and through Jesus.  As we're preparing ourselves for 40 Days of Community, a time of focusing on why God calls us and keeps us together, it's vital for us to understand that God's promises are nearly always made in the context of community.  Yes, God did make promises to individual people throughout the Bible, but many of those promises relate to the greater community around them.  Even God's promise to David, that one of his descendants would always be on the throne of Israel was intended to be a blessing to Israel, since David was a man after God's own heart, and faithful leadership is a blessing to any nation.

As you read God's word on a daily basis, note the many promises you find there.  See how those promises impacted those to whom God made them, and see the implications for you and me.  After all, God's word is "living and active," as we are told in Hebrews 4:12.  God gave it to challenge us and bless us.  Take a moment right now to consider the promise of Exodus 19:5-6.  Even though the promise is conditional, what can you expect from God if you obey Him and keep His commands?  Is it possible to keep God's commands?  What will you do today to see this promise become a blessing in your life?

Remember, we have the benefit of the Holy Spirit in our lives to empower us to obey, if Jesus is our Savior and Lord.

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for all the promises in Your word.  Fill us with the Holy Spirit, so we will be diligent to read and reflect on it, and so we will have the power to live out the commands, and thus enjoy Your blessings!  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.