Belief in God's promises
Day 31
by Gini Crawford, MSW
God is faithful so He keeps His promises
God is faithful so what He says, He does. He keeps His promises that He gives us in His Word. I know I don't always keep my promises even though I try hard to, but when God makes a promise it will most definitely be kept because He is faithful. We can trust God's promises because of His love and faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-24).
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? / For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. / Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead ... if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. Numbers 23:19b; Psalm 33:4; 2 Timothy 2:8,13 ESV®
There are many promises in the Bible and some are what we would called a prophecy. A prophecy is a promise-message from God that will be fulfilled in the future. Numerous prophecies have already been fulfilled from the Bible, especially those of Jesus' first coming. Jesus fulfilled around three hundred Old Testament promises.
I have found knowing God's promises allows Him to lead me down His path, as well as strengthen my belief in Him because of His faithfulness in keeping those promises. Have you seen God's faithfulness in your life?
The best promise – the resurrection
I would imagine a few of you are thinking, "I thought she was through with the resurrection." To be honest, I thought I was too, but the Holy Spirit has kept putting the resurrection on my mind. If you think about, why wouldn't Jesus' Spirit want us to keep thinking about our best promise. Jesus' resurrection was the action that confirmed that we are now saved from our sins, made just right in God's sight, and if those things aren't fabulous enough, we get the promise of a new body for eternity. There's a catch though, we need to believe in Jesus our Lord. Calling Jesus our Lord is describing Him as God (Romans 9:5).
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved./ ... It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 10:8-10, 4:24-25 ESV®
Everyone has put their faith or belief in something or someone. There are those who believe in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. There are those who wouldn't dare believe in Jesus but easily put their faith in their education, a job, maybe the stock market, a parent, spouse, friend, teacher or in their self. I think you all would agree with me, a decent education and a job are a blessing. To have a parent, spouse or friend you can trust is golden. Yet, if you want to be saved from the consequences of sin as well as gain heaven along with your resurrection, your only option is to put your faith in Jesus. The question is not, "Do you have faith?" The question is, "Where have you placed your faith, in the world and its promises or in Jesus and His assured promises?"
Life Application
Jesus guarantees God's promises to us
In 2 Peter 1:1-4, Christians are challenged to take the full advantage of God's promises that are guaranteed in Jesus Christ - their God and Savior. These promises are ours through faith in Jesus. His promises let us be partakers of the divine nature and escape corruption in the world if we live by them.
A girl in Uganda was fleeing a group of men with guns and machetes. It had gotten to be a common occurrence where she lived to experience the horrors of murder and human trafficking. As she was hiding from these men in the darkness, she could hear the frightened screams of her friends echoing through the forest. As she was shaking with fear ready to scream herself, she called to Jesus - Who whispered in her mind the psalms her grandfather taught her. Her fear seemed to fade into the darkness as God's promises gave her strength. A sense of calm washed over her. At daybreak she saw she was safe when many had been killed or taken. Do you know God's Word enough so He can whisper His precious promises to you?
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:5-9 ESV®
Here are some promises from God:
Does death scare you because you feel it's the end of everything. Take heart because Jesus gives you the promise of eternal life. Read 3:16-18, 11:25-26, 14:1-6.
As a Christian do you struggle with sinful desires. Be encouraged because you have the promise of the Holy Spirit within. He will empower you to overcome any sin in your life and to live righteously. Read Acts 1:8; Romans 8:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2 Peter 1:3.
People say to pray to God and He will answer you. Does God really hear all prayers. Yes, there are many promises concerning prayer. Read Psalm 91:15; Jeremiah 33:2; Luke 11:9-12; Philippians 4:6-7.
Every time your life seems hopeless or out of control, acknowledge God and trust in Him and He promises to direct your paths. Read Proverbs 3:5-6.
Do you feel your life is anything but good, that no one loves you, that everything you do ends up a mess, or maybe you just feel hopeless. I can certainly have those feelings but those feelings are really not reality looking at God's promises. Read Jeremiah 29:11; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:28-39; 1 John 4:10.
Ponder this: As you awaken each morning, invite Jesus to walk with you. He knows your road of life that is enfolded in His magnificent promises. Believe His promises with hopeful anticipation because they give you the power and wisdom to walk His path. His promises come alive to you when you embrace Him and believe His words.
Reflect on 2 Peter 1:1-4.