Promise: A declaration to do what you say you will do.
“I promise to be kind.”
“I promise to tell the truth.”
“I promise to do my school work.”
“I promise to share.”
“I promise to be on time to class.”
A wise teacher sent a note home to all parents on the first day of school. It read:
"If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school,
I'll promise not to believe everything your child says happens at home."
From a very young age, we all seem to know the importance of keeping a promise. However, all of us have made promises we didn’t or couldn’t keep, and we’ve all been the recipient of broken promises. Broken promises can leave us with feelings of distrust and disappointment. Broken promises leave scars. There are no guarantees with people, but there is good news! God ALWAYS keeps His promises. When it comes to God, a promise made is a promise kept, and the Bible is full of them—at least 3000!
How do I know God never breaks a promise? The Bible tells me so.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. Psalm 145:13
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:19-21
God is, indeed, a promise keeper. So how do I take advantage of the promises of God? There are three key factors that must be realized.
1. Make sure you know Jesus as Savior. 2 Corinthians 1 makes it clear. All—not some—of God’s promises are YES through Jesus. To know Jesus is to know God. He is the only way. In John 14:6-7 Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
I realize this isn’t always popular. The secular world wants us to believe that we can find our own truth; they proclaim there are many ways to God. While this may sound good, it is not Biblical. So many people today want to claim the promises of God without putting their faith and trust in Jesus. It simply isn’t possible. Jesus and God are one (John 1:30).
2. Know and recite God’s promises. I realize there are way too many promises to remember, but pick two or three that you can memorize and call to mind at a moment’s notice. God has promised you MANY things in His word! Jesus told us in John 10:10 that He came so we would have an abundant life now and in the future! Here are a couple of my go-tos right now.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
3. Believe God’s promises. It is one thing to know His promises; it is quite another thing to believe those promises! Belief changes everything. Belief is faith in action, and we know without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Think of it this way—you wouldn’t go skydiving without a parachute! Your belief in the reliability of the parachute definitely dictates your action.
The same is true for our Christian walk. How would our lives be different if we truly stood on God’s promises to strengthen, help, uphold, provide, protect, and empower us? Do we truly believe the promises of God?
As I close, I can’t help but be reminded of an old hymn we used to sing in church. Take a look at the lyrics.
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.
God says, “I promise…”
Let’s stand on the promises of God!