The Promises Of God

This is the last in the series of articles on “P words.” In reality, much of what the Bible says are promises. Christians often think of promises for material things, but there are also those that give spiritual blessing and assurance.

First of all, Christians are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). Along with this is the promise given by Jesus of eternal security, in John 10:27-28. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Because of God’s “very great and precious promises…we become partakers of his divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire”(2 Peter 1:4).

There is the promise of heaven given in 1 Peter 1:3-4. We have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” In John 14:2 Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so would I have told you, that I go to prepare a place for you?”

Here is a promise to look forward to. “According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”(2 Peter 3:13).

Now for some more promises from Jesus, from the Book of John. “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst”(John 6:35). “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”(John 8:12). “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live…”(John 11:25).

There are promises with conditions that have an ‘if’ attached. Here are two examples: Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. IF anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him…” John 10:9 states, “I am the door. IF anyone enters by me, he will be saved…”

There are promises that meet our daily needs with NO conditions attached. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Another example is Philippians 4:19. “My God will supply every need of yours, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I will end with this quote from pastor and author, Max Lucado. “Secure your anchor in God. Build your life on his promises. Since his promises are unbreakable, your hope will be unshakable. The winds will still blow. The rain will still fall. But in the end, you will be standing on the promises of God (Lucado, 2018, Praying the Promises, p. 147).”

What are some spiritual or practical needs you have? What promises might you claim for them?