“All
our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6
“No, you cannot have that now, but
if you are really good and let Mommy finish her shopping, she will buy you a
candy at the checkout.” Is that a promise? Is that a bribe? Is the result of
the promise (bribe) conditional or unconditional? “If you be good you will get
it,” is not the kind of promise that God has given to Israel. When He told them
that David’s throne would be occupied by David’s son for all time, it wasn’t a
bribe. It was an unmerited promise.
Why wasn’t it a bribe? Because then
God’s people would never get anything. Our righteous deeds, Isaiah said, are
like filthy rags. God sees no merit in them at all. Therefore we cannot merit
any of God’s promises. His promises are based on His grace alone or we would
never receive any of them. God’s promise of our salvation is like God’s promise
to David’s descendants. Our sins have separated us from God, but He has sent
His Son to die for us anyway that His promises might be fulfilled.
Dear Father, Thank You for Your unmerited
promises. Amen.
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