Promises

Have you ever felt disappointed when someone you trusted didn’t keep a promise to you?  In your disappointment, you might have been tempted to wonder if God can be trusted to keep His promises to you.  Let’s see what the Bible says about God’s promise-keeping.  Let’s also look at some of the wonderful things He has promised us.

God is the only one who always keeps His promises. You’ll find it in the Bible.  "[Jesus Christ] isn’t one to say ‘yes’ when He means ‘no’.  He always does exactly what He says. He carries out and fulfills all of God’s promises, no matter how many of them there are; and we have told everyone how faithful He is, giving glory to His name" (2 Corinthians 1:19-20, TLB).

Will God ever take back or change His promises? Look in the Bible.  “No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back one word of what I said." (2 Corinthians 1:19-20, TLB).

Will any of God’s promises ever fail?  Of course not!  We find this in the Bible.  "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed" (Joshua 23:14, NIV).
God will even keep promises that seem impossible in our way of thinking! You’ll find proof of this in the Bible.  "Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God’" (Luke 18:27, NIV).

Of the more than 3,000 promises found in the Bible, let’s look at a few.  First, God has promised to help us when we are afraid.  He has promised deliverance from fear. It’s in the Bible," I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears"(Psalm 34:4, NIV).

He has promised to meet all our needs.  It’s in the Bible, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19, NIV).

In fact, He has promised not to hold back any good thing we need.  It’s in the Bible, "For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk along his paths" (Psalm 84:11, TLB).

He has promised to help us make wise choices.  It’s in the Bible, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5, NIV).

God has promised peace. It’s in the Bible, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).

God has promised to help us escape from temptation.  It’s in the Bible, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV).

He has promised health and healing. It’s in the Bible, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" (Jeremiah 30:17, NIV).

God has promised protection from harm and danger. It’s in the Bible, “Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent" (Psalm 91:10, NIV).

He has promised forgiveness for our sins. It’s in the Bible, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, NIV).

He has promised to give us a heart to obey Him.  It’s in the Bible, “And I will give you a new heart–I will give you new and right desires–and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love" (Ezekiel 36:26, TLB).

He has promised to give us the Holy Spirit.  It’s in the Bible, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13, NIV).

He has promised He’ll help us become like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It’s in the Bible, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV).

The Bible promises our loved ones who have died will live again. It’s in the Bible, "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned" (John 5:28-29, NIV).

Jesus has promised that He will come again to take us to Heaven. It’s in the Bible, "There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with Me where I am" (John 14:2-3, TLB).

He has promised an end to death, sorrow, and pain. It’s in the Bible, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4, NIV).

God has promised us eternal life with Him.  It’s in the Bible, "And this is what he promised us—even eternal life" (1 John 2:25, NIV).