So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 17-20

Over the weekend in Phoenix, I spoke with my grandsons about the importance of telling the truth. While I may be mistaken on a few things now and then, I would never intentionally lie to them.

Not so with God because as Hebrews 6:18 tells us “it is impossible for God to lie.” Impossible. And since it is impossible for God to lie, His promises are absolutely true and dependable.

The writer of Hebrews provides Abraham and Sarah as an example of God’s fulfilled promises-

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

Hebrews 6: 13-17

Put yourself in Abraham’s shoes (or Sarah’s). They did not have the benefit of Scripture, yet Abraham “patiently waited.” And waited. And waited. And then Abraham waited some more, yet in the end, when all seemed lost, Abraham and Sarah received the promised son of Isaac.

It is impossible for God to make a promise and then break it.

God’s promises are true for each of us as well. Jesus’ work on the Cross and through His Resurrection seal the promise for us. Will we be “imitators of those (like Abraham) who through faith and patience inherit the promises?