The Bible is filled with the promises of God. From Genesis to Revelation we read of normal people that received the promises of God. These promises are sealed by the highest authority, God's word. In Hebrews 6:13 it says, "For when God made a promise to Abraham since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself."
How Can We Trust in God's Promises?
When God makes a promise to his people, it will come to pass. What is a promise? A promise is a covenant or declaration that one will do exactly what they say or something will happen just as pledged.
We Can Count on God’s Promises Because of God’s Character
First of all, he’s not a man. He’s not human. He doesn’t have a fallen nature. He’s never sinned, never lied. He is the essence of righteousness and can’t lie. He is the truth and only speaks the truth.
We Can Count On God’s Promises Because God is Unchanging
Unlike us, God never changes in his person or his purposes. We may change our minds as we age, or our situation changes or we get more information. But God doesn’t decide to do something then a thousand years later realized it was a bad decision.
We Can Count On God’s Promises Because of His Infinite Wisdom
Because of his infinite wisdom, when he makes a promise, it’s the best possible promise he can make. He won’t discover later he could have made a better promise. God never needs to make course corrections. He doesn’t make it up as he goes along. He knows the end from the beginning.
If he has said it, he will do it. If he has spoken it, he will fulfill it. He’s not messing around with your life. For these reasons, we should trust God’s promises and heed his warnings.
He’s going to do what he said. Sooner or later. Even if it hasn’t happened yet. Even if you can’t see how he could possibly fulfill it. Even if your eyes, ears, mind and feelings are screaming it can’t happen.
If God has made unshakable promises, we should devour his word. I want to know all God’s promised. I want to know what I can pray for. What I can count on. What to hang my hope on when everything around looks bleak.
If we drift from reading God’s word, our faith will wane, our prayer life will wane, our joy will wane and our hope will wane.
So let’s read God’s word, grab on to his promises, then say in the face of hopelessness, God is not a man. He won’t lie or change his mind. He said it, so he’ll do it. I believe it. Thank you, my unchanging Lord! (excerpt provided by Mark Altrogge, theblazingcenter.com)
Promises of God in the Old Testament
Genesis: "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.” (Genesis 17:4)
When God spoke to Abraham (Genesis 17:4) he declared that he would bless him and make him a father of many nations. This is exactly what we see throughout the Bible and history. God's promise here is called the Abrahamic Covenant and is prophecy of the coming Messiah through the bloodline of Abraham.
Exodus: "And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” (Exodus 2:24-25)
One of the greatest promises God made in history was the deliverance of his people from Egyptian slavery. God would call a man by the name of Moses to declare to Pharaoh that it was time for his people to be set free. Pharaoh didn't take God's word seriously, and the effect was catastrophic.
We read of the many plagues God sent in Egypt that led Pharaoh, in the end, to release God's people only to regret it and cause more problems for his armies. The nation of Israel crossed the red sea and was set free after 430 years of slavery.
Deuteronomy: "The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him." (Deuteronomy 28:9)
God made a promise to the nation of Israel, that if they kept his commandments he would bless them abundantly. If they would obey his word and truth, he would set them high above all the nations on the earth.
Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
In the book of Joshua God would speak through him to encourage the people of Israel to not be discouraged, to not be afraid, God promises that He is with them wherever they go. In the middle of the storm, he is right there. The same is true for you and me. God is near, ready and willing to help.
1 Samuel: "The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” (1 Samuel 16:1)
Saul had been the one that the Lord chose to rule as king. The problem with Saul was that he didn't listen to the Lord and disobeyed his orders. God then decided that David would be the New King. His word was sealed in heaven and David ruled and became king.
Psalms: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." (Psalms 1:1-3)
God promises blessing for those who walk according to His Word - those who obey His commandments and do not follow the wicked.
Isaiah: "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Isaiah was speaking to people that were broken, discouraged, and running weary. He would tell them to wait on the Lord for he will renew their strength and hearts. This promise is beautiful and can be applied to us today. If we wait on Him, God promises to show up and renew our being.
Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
The nation of Israel was going through a time of oppression. They would spend 70 years in captivity, but God promises that He would be waiting for them with plans to prosper them – not plans of evil but of hope, love, and peace.
The Lord loves his people and this promise shows his relentless pursuit. In our lives, God has good plans for us, filled with hope and a future.
Promises of God in the New Testament
Matthew: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
As life goes on, we forget our foundation as the people of God. Sometimes we begin to place other things before the Lord, and this verse is a perfect reminder of God's promise if we put him first in all things.
Seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness will open the door to all other needs in this world. Financial needs, relationships, and even small details can be overlooked.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
God promises spiritual rest, peace of mind, tranquility of the soul. This rest and easing of burdens is only through the sacrifice of Jesus.
John: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12)
This promise of God is in the context of salvation. If you believe and receive Jesus, he will give you the power to become a child of God. You don't need to work for your salvation – it’s a gift from God when we simply believe in him.
"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
God promises eternal life to those who drink of the water, meaning grace, offered by God through Jesus Christ.
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28)
God promised us certainty and assurance of salvation. Our eternal life is kept safe in God's hands.
"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3)
Jesus promises to return to us and to bring us into heaven with him.
Romans: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we thought it would. At times, circumstances outside of our control enter our life and put us in a place of struggle or pain. Even bad things happen to the people of God, but Paul wrote "all things work together for good." whatever the enemy meant for evil, God promised his love and power are enough to turn around for good.
2 Corinthians: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
God promised comfort in our times of trouble. God is our ultimate comforter fit to heal a weary soul.
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Paul reminds us that the promises of God are rock solid. If God said something, it will come to pass. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and believe him at his Word. God isn't a man – his promises are guaranteed.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
God promises grace and mercy for those who accept salvation through Jesus Christ. No longer will the people of God live by the old law with it's rules and customs - the blood of Jesus brings a new way of living.
Ephesians: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
God promises to bless believers with all things pertaining to life and godliness - justification, peace, sanctification, eternal life. Our inheritance is promised and reserved on earth and in heaven.
Philippians: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
Wen we pray, God promises to provide peace that is beyond what anything on earth can offer. His peace secures and protects us from condemnation, fear, and worry.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
When we rely on our strength, we will fall short. If we rely on God, he promises to give us his strength and power to overcome in this world. His word is a promise to us that we can do all things through him.
2 Timothy: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)
This promise of God reminds us that He didn't give us a spirit of fear but one of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). When you feel fear coming over you, claim this promise over your life. His word is sharper than any two-edged sword, we read in Hebrews 4:12.
Hebrews: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
When we need mercy and grace his Word promises that if we draw near to the throne of God, we will receive and find it there. Prayer is our connection to God. He is ready to listen.
Revelation: "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels." (Revelation 3:5)
Jesus promises us that we will never be blotted out of the book of life. Once it is written, it is sealed with his promise to keep it forever. Our salvation is guaranteed, Jesus will confess our name before the Father and the angels.
Edward Antonio is the Founder of Elevating Your Life and a student of theology and church history. He lives in Orange County, CA, and is part of the Harvest Christian Fellowship. Find him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mredwardantonio/ or answering Bible questions at https://elevatingyourlife.org/.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images Plus/mattjeaco
