The Promises of God

This life we are ordained to live can have its ups and downs. But the promises of God ensure we are not alone. Although life is precious and a miracle of God, sometimes, we are knocked off our feet with uncertainty and worry. Life’s difficulties come to us all at some point. But how do we stay fixed and secure? How do we make it through one day to the next?

The answers lie in the Promises of God, which He has given to us, in His Word. He is our Shepherd (Psa. 23:1, Ezek. 34:11-12, Isa. 40:11), and will lead us to His living water (John 7:38) for hope and courage.

Discouragement doesn’t have to overwhelm us when we cleave to His promises. Despair can be overcome because the Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145:18).

Before the Lord formed you in your mother’s womb, He knew you (Jer. 1:5). That’s how valuable you are. The Almighty wants you to have a wonderful future filled with hope (Jer. 29:11).  He doesn’t want you filled with panic and anxiety because He has given us a Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

If God looks after and feeds the birds of the air, such as the Sparrows, do you think He will look after you? You are worth far more than the Sparrows to God because we are made in His image (Matt. 6:26, Gen. 1:27).

God’s promises do have requirements. For His promises to be fulfilled in our lives, he expects us to be faithful to Him (Heb. 11:6). He also wants us to love Him. John 14:21 is a good example.  ^“Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”  So, God is saying, if you love Him, you will keep His commandments, and He will make Himself known to you.

Our character is strengthened when we are standing on His promises, while we wait for prayers to be answered. Remember, God is faithful, and He doesn’t break His promises, if we do our part and fulfil His requirements. He wants us to persevere and continue in faith by enduring the storms of life. (For more about endurance, see my article The Battle to Endure.)

God knew our earthly life would come with challenges. He was manifested through Jesus in the flesh after all. Isaiah 43:2 is a promise to His children that He is ever-present during hardship. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Hebrews 13:5 is another solid promise that we serve a God of love. “for He has said, I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” God wants to reassure us here, that He is not going to desert us, and nothing comes between Him and His children.

The more we meditate on His promises, the more our minds are renewed. God is committed to us when we put our trust in Him. And when we trust Him, His promises come to pass in our lives. His promises also equip us to lead a righteous life that is devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Trusting God is pivotal. God isn’t asking for much. Just that you trust Him. Even in the hard times, He will stay loyal to you if you trust Him. Remain in Him, and He will remain in you (John 15:4). It’s not in His character to abandon His children when we need Him. God is our provider (Gen. 22:14), God is caring (Jer. 30:17), God is Merciful (Joel 2:13), God is faithful (Jer. 31:3), God is loving (Psa. 117:2, Dan. 9:4, Deut. 7:9, Mal. 1:2). He has all the qualities of a Father that will not give up on you, ever.

The promise of Joel 2:25 tells us that God will restore what the locusts have eaten. The enemy (locust) has come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But our God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In His timing, He will return to you what you have lost.

Proverbs 30:5 reinforces His attitude towards us. “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” God is our shield, our protector. We weren’t created to walk this life alone without Him. He is our defender in all situations. God is our sanctuary in which we find shelter (Psa. 18:2).

When trouble comes, we can be certain that God will be there for us. Psa. 27:5 encourages us. “For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” God is our rock and deliverer through all seasons.

Psa. 37:4 says to “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”  God loves you so much that He even cares about your dreams and aspirations. He wants His children to be blessed by fulfilling their heartfelt desires.

The nature of Jesus Christ covers us when we hold onto these promises. Our character is transformed as His promises cleanse us. When we soak ourselves in the wisdom of God, it builds our faith and sharpens our mind. Hold tight to God’s love for you. He won’t disappoint you if you believe in Him.