Most of us have been on the receiving end of broken promises. A friend betrays us, a husband fails his promise to love us, a parent abandons us. Over and over again we experience broken promises. These are deep hurts and wounds that lead us to attempt to take care of ourselves, and question God’s care for us. These places of pain and unhealed wounds lead us to attempt to control everything. We don’t want to get hurt again.
Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the promise that she would become pregnant. Similarly, we find ourselves laughing at God to hide our doubt and protect ourselves from disappointment. Both Abram and Sarai tried to secure the promise through Ishmael. They took things into their own hands, and we often follow their example through detours and deception. Our actions reveal that we are asking ourselves the question, what if God’s promises won’t hold?
But God does not make his promises with the expectation that we will fulfill them. He isn’t cruel, he won’t abandon us, and he never fails. God does what he says he will do.
In his grace, God doesn’t allow us to minimize or guarantee his promises for ourselves. He is the guarantor of his promises. And he meets us in our distrust and when we try taking things into our own hands. He does not allow us to dismiss or secure his promises to us.
The most important promise of all, our salvation, he also guarantees. We cannot lose this salvation, nor can we earn it. God is the one who holds the promise of salvation as a gift by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9). And he seals it by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). This gift gives us the freedom to trust God, the security to grow in faith, and the charge to be a blessing to others.
God first said to Abram that his promises and covenant would be so that Abram and his descendants would be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2). Today, we are recipients of that blessing (Galatians 3:14)!
This gift of salvation and all the other promises of God are just that—gifts. When we see them in this way, we grow in our own generosity. When we receive what we have been given as a gift and guarantee from God rather than something we guaranteed for ourselves, we can live in a freedom that blesses others.
I can’t work my way in or out of His promises. The guarantee is not mine to make (I love that analogy). But the promises might not be for now or how I expect them.
How grateful I am that God’s promise to Abraham that the Gentiles would also receive His gift of Eternal life thru Christ’s Sacrifice has really blessed me today. Plus the blessing of HIS indwelling Holy Spirit always. A Gift for me personally. Wow! This reminder has hit me strongly today.
I am reminded daily of how the Lord promises to care, love, protect and deliver me. Our world is so hinged on tasks, achievments and goals, it makes us feel as though we aren’t enough, yet God is enough. If we have him, then we are enough.
Through this study, I have gotten a whole different view of God’s faithfulness. I feel more confident in His promises and the fact that He will be faithful to His good promises. This study has allowed me to see how God has been faithful in amazing ways in the past so I can be confident for my future.
God is always faithful! My lack of faith won’t even stop God from fulfilling His promises! It only hinders my walk with Him.
What strikes me is that the "keeping" is all on God’s shoulders. All I have to do is trust and rest in Him.
It has helped me DIGEST how unmovable Gods word and promises and how certain follow thru is, in anything and everything! Rather than just based on my faith alone- it’s based on his ageless reputation of countless testimonies !
As a result of this study, I view God’s promises and his promise-keeping differently. They are completely gifts that he gives us. We cannot earn or work for his promises. They are ours only to receive. We can’t mess them up! How generous our God is. Because he is so generous, we should be generous to others as much as possible. Even when God’s promises don’t make sense or they seem completely impossible, trusting God is all is takes. And he meets us even in our distrust. What a kind Father! He says, I know this is hard and it’s scary but I am with you and I will never leave you. Isn’t this the kind of love we all yearn for? And it is ours, given freely to us by our God. God, you are so good. You are so faithful. You are so kind and so able. This study so far has given me a greater understanding of your nature and your love for us. We don’t deserve it but you love us anyways like a true Father. I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen <3
God promises from love… Not our own actions or decisions.
God has made promises and despite sins, disobedience, and questioning, he has fulfilled those promises. My faith in prayer has grown stronger with this study because I know God headers and will try to fulfill. It may be his plan, but that is his promise.