Ever notice how some people promise something but never come through? They may be given another chance and then another. We grow disappointed and eventually learn we can’t trust their promises.
But not with God. When He makes a promise, He delivers. God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). His nature doesn’t allow Him. Just as my nature, my DNA doesn’t let me grow leaves and apples like a tree.
God made many promises in the Old Testament that history has shown fulfilled. Of all the promises regarding the birth of Jesus, every single one came true. Of 469 other Old Testament promises, 467 have happened. Of those promises one is of the return of Christ, hopefully soon but not yet, and the other has lacked archeological evidence to prove it.
Why do I need God’s promises? I need His promises for hope, directions to live and be blessed as God desires. I do not want to regret not getting what God would want me to have because I didn’t know. I just have to ask or pray and obey. All to glorify Him.
Some promises are conditional. For example, God has promised me eternal life. But I have to do my part. I must confess Jesus as my Savior, obey Him and allow Him to change me. Another example is God has promised to bless my giving. I’m to give Him from my first fruits. He is faithful to provide for my needs. So, I can give confidently.
Some promises are unconditional. God promised Abraham children as numerous as the stars. God promised this before Abraham even had 1 child. Well past the age of childbearing, both Abraham and his wife had given up on having a child. But God delivered on His promise a son named Isaac.
How do I know which promises in scripture are for me? When reading Scripture, we should be careful to note the context and refrain from just opening the book and choosing any old verse. The following example demonstrates.
“And Judas went out and hanged himself” (Matt 27:5). Another chance verse is “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). Followed by yet another random verse “What thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27).
Each verse taken out of context and placed together results in the opposite of what God would prescribe.
God wants me to depend on Him and His promises. He wants to give me the desires of my heart (Psa. 20:4) in accordance with His will. Want to know more? Future blogs will look at many of His promises. Stay tuned!