Holy Highway, Sacred Road 

The Sacred Road contains many stories of our creator and our Savior that help us with our walk today.  One story is about a man named Abram.  When Abram was 99 years old, God gave him a new name and a promise. 

Gen 17: 3b-5 Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations.  Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, meaning that `I'm making you the father of many nations.'  (The Message) 

Abraham was old and childless when God did this.  His wife was 90 years old and past the age for having babies.  We learn from the Sacred Road that many times when we receive a promise from God, the circumstances we find ourselves in are often very far from the promise.  So it was with Abraham.  

So it also was with Joseph.  When Joseph was 17 years old, God gave him 2 dreams that revealed God's promise to make Joseph a ruler.  Joseph was far from being a ruler at the time that he received these dreams.  We learn also from the Sacred Road that many times when we receive a promise from God, we sometimes plunge in the opposite direction of the promise.  This is what happened to Joseph.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers.  He was falsely accused by another man's wife and thrown in jail.  Seemed like he was getting farther and farther from God's promise.  But Joseph did not lose faith and did not stray from God.  When Joseph was 30 years old (13 years later), he was released from prison and began working for the king of Egypt, Pharoah. Gen 41:44-45a Pharoah told Joseph. "I am Pharoah, but no one in Egypt will make a single move without your stamp of approval."  Then Pharoah gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah (God Speaks and He Lives).   (The Message) 

When Jesus walked the earth, a man named Simon Peter was among one of his closest companions.  Simon knew Jesus was the Son of God.  When Simon declared this, Jesus responded with a name and a promise.  Matt 16:18 And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are.  You are Peter, a rock.  This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. (The Message)  

Not long after the promise was given, Jesus was arrested.  Peter then publicly denied even knowing Jesus 3 times, to avoid arrest.  Was Peter now disqualified?   Because of the teachings of the Sacred Road, you should not be surprised that Peter did eventually become that rock.  Jesus restored Peter by asking him to publicly declare his love for him 3 times.   .  John 21:17 Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master , you know everything there is to know.  You've got to know that I love you.".  (The Message) 

God knows everything there is to know.  When He gives you a promise, it is true.  Have you denied knowing Him?  Have you done something that makes you feel you no longer qualify for the promise?  COME BACK!  Renew your love to Him and let Him restore you like Peter.  You didn't surprise Him with what you did anymore than Peter did.  Or have you let your circumstances keep you from your promise?  Believe the promise and believe God—He's bigger than your circumstances.  Don't give up on God's word.  He never gives up on you!