 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God. 2nd Corinth. 1:20 (Amplified)  The Promises of God  Just how many promises there are in the Bible? Everet R. Storms, a Canadian schoolteacher, kept a record of the promises during his 27th reading of the Bible, according to the book “All the Promises in the Bible” by Herbert Lockyer. It took a year and a half for Storms to compile his lists, including promises by God to man (7,487), one man to another (991), God the Father to God the Son (two), man to God (290). In all, Storms tallied 8,810 promises. Can you imagine that? These are PROMISES that cannot fail! The promises of God reveal His particular and eternal purposes to which He is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. These promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers. God’s promises are irrevocable, rock-solid, unequivocal commitments made by God Himself. Because God is faithful,! He is absolutely trustworthy Numbers 23:19, Tit 1:2; Hebrews 6:13-18 He is unchanging Psalms 110:4; Mal 3:6-7; Jas 1:17-18 He has the power and will to fulfil His promises Isa 55:11, Romans 4:21 He is faithful in keeping all His promises Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14-15; 1Ki 8:56; Ps 145:13; Hebrew 10:23 His promises stem from His goodness and glory 2 Peter 1:3-4 The Bible is filled with the promises of God. From Genesis to Revelation these promises are sealed by the highest authority, God's Word. When God makes a promise to His people, it will come to pass. What is a promise? A promise is a covenant or declaration that one will do exactly what they say or something will happen just as pledged. To Jesus, the Bible wasn’t just a good book with inspiring stories. It was a reliable account of human history, a powerful picture of God’s involvement in our life, and a dependable promise of God’s faithfulness. Proverbs 30:5 says that “every word of God proves true.” You can be sure that the Bible is God’s true and accurate message to people. It’s not like an old chair that will crumble under the slightest amount of pressure. It’s the solid truth of the Lord that will remain standing no matter what. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises..." (2 Peter 1:4). God’s promises are priceless and invaluable. They are comforting to the soul and encouraging to the heart. GOD’S PROMISES ARE OURS (BELIEVERS) TO CLAIM BECAUSE OF JESUS! He is omnipotent, omniscient, eternal, holy, unchangeable, faithful, sovereign, full of peace and grace, righteous and just! When will we as the Blood Bought of Christ began thinking about and truly stand on ALL of God's promises - promises so vital that He swears on Himself that He will keep them. C. H. Spurgeon said "A promise from God may very instructively be compared to a check payable to order. It is given to the believer with the view of bestowing upon him some good thing. It is not meant that he should read it over comfortably and then have done with it. No, he is to treat the promise as a reality, as a man treats a check. He is to take the promise, and endorse it with his own name by personally receiving it as true. He is by faith to accept it as his own. He sets to his seal that God is true, and true as to this particular word of promise. He goes further, and believes that he has the blessing in having the sure promise of it and therefore he puts his name to it to testify to the receipt of the blessing. This done, he must believingly present the promise to the Lord, as a man presents a check at the counter of the Bank. He must plead it by prayer, expecting to have it fulfilled. If he has come to Heaven's bank at the right date, he will receive the promised amount at once. If the date should happen to be further on, he must patiently wait till its arrival; but meanwhile he may count the promise as money, for the Bank is sure to pay when the due time arrives. Some fail to place the endorsement of faith upon the check, and so they get nothing; and others are slack in presenting it, and these also receive nothing. This is not the fault of the promise, but of those who do not act with it in a common-sense, business-like manner. God has given no pledge which He will not redeem, and encouraged no hope which He will not fulfil." There are two main words that are translated as “promise” in the Bible. The Hebrew word dâbar, (pronounced daw-bar) and the Greek word epangelía, (pronounced ep-ang-el-ee’-ah). Let’s look at each word in turn. Dâbar could also have been translated “to arrange, to speak, declare, or command”, whereas epangelía could also mean “an announcement or message”. It was sometimes used when talking about a promised blessing or some divine assurance. When God makes a promise, He’s making a declaration that something will take place or He’s commanding an action to be done. To walk in, live in, obtain, lay hold to, and show full proof of standing on the Promises of God, let us come to God in the absolute certainty that His Words are true: “The kingdom of God has drawn near!” and, “If you have faith, nothing will be impossible for you.” God’s has unfathomable love for us. God is life, rich and overflowing life. He is love, and He wants to draw all of us into His life and into His love. Time and again He seeks to lift us into the realm where His life rules.” God does not owe us anything, because He’s God, but miraculously, He has made some “exceedingly great and precious promises” to US, His people. Each of our relationship with God is shaped by our response to God’s promises. God never fails to keep a promise. God’s promises are covenants and He does not break them. We as believers should not doubt, but instead believe and live by God’s promises. God’s promises are activated by OUR faith! People who believe God’s promises will experience greater blessings in their life. Before you go to God asking Him to keep His Word, figure out what your need is and how you want God to move in your life. Search the Scriptures and write down the promises you think are applicable to your situation. Remember He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him... (Hebrews 11:1, 6 NKJV). So Have faith, be patient, worship while you wait! "The child of faith can give the assuring confession that Heavenly Promises are no ideal dreams, no "perhaps." [The child of faith] rests upon divine promises that cannot fail." - Herbert Lockyer See our Featured Spiritual Tools on God's Promises by clicking here Contributor: Minister Nina Amos |
