HIS PROMISE REMAINS

Promise-“A reason to expect something.” That’s how the dictionary defines promise-but isn’t this also the perfect explanation for the hope that lies within us? Amazingly, we are christened as the children of promise; our very existence is through promise! (Galatians 4:28) And as believers we base our lives on God’s promises. Consider that our hope for peace ushers from Jesus’ promise of peace (John 14:27), our hope for joy springs from putting our faith in the promise of who He is (Psalm 5:11). Even our hope for...well, hope comes from the promise of life eternal as in Titus 1:2 “...resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” (NIV) Oh think about it! Before one click of time’s existence had elapsed; God promised us the hope of life eternal! This vow’s inception is beyond discernment or discovery, but we can know of a surety that eons have elapsed, centuries have crumbled and countless generations have come and gone and still His promises remain; because it is impossible for God to lie. (Hebrews 6:18)

People often say “A person is only as good as their word”, which is true, but that should go double for a god, don’t you think? What kind of god promises and then reneges? Not our God! What He says, He promises to fulfill. In fact, in Numbers 23:19 we are reminded “God is not a man, that He should lie nor...that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (NIV) The integrity of God’s promises is utterly steadfast. What He says, what He promises can be relied on. In fact, His promises are so sure, we can build our very lives upon them. (Matthew 7:24)

Jesus said “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34)-but does that go for God’s heart too? Of course; the words He speaks betray the inner workings of His heart. So in a way, His words define who He is and God is nothing if not true to who He is. So every word He speaks, every promise He utters is fully worthy of not mere acceptance, but full and whole reliance. Let us choose to be like Abraham who “...did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” (Romans 4:20 NIV) How easy it would have been for Abraham to question God’s promise-especially as the decades passed without any sign of fulfillment. And yet he did not allow his focus to waver or his confidence to be shaken from what God had promised, for he knew that his Father’s word meant it was as good as done!

We’ll revisit this subject as it relates to us personally next time, but for today, please know and take comfort that no matter what impossible situation looms before you and no matter the ferocity of the storm that is battering your precious life, in every sense of the word; God’s promises give each of us “a reason to expect something” intrinsically good from His loving hand!

May we choose to be in that number of “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice, let them ever shout for joy (Psalm 5:11 ERV) and “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him...” (Romans 15:13 NIV) and in His perpetually unbroken promises!

Papa God, we are so thankful that no matter how the situations and circumstances of our life change like shifting sand; in You we can trust! Your promises are as trustworthy as Your divine nature. We choose to trust in You no matter what we can see or what our hearts can discern. Thank you for already moving to fulfill Your promises! Amen.

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