What’s in a promise these days? Well, that depends on who makes the promise. If it comes from a campaigning politician, a promise may be no more than an attempt to win votes by outright deceiving voters.
Sometimes, a promise stems from the good intentions of someone who has overestimated his ability to deliver on his pledge. Defendants and witnesses promise to tell the truth in a court of law. But sometimes the only clear verdict the jury can render is that somebody’s lying.
God, however, cannot lie (Titus 1:2). He will never deceive us nor leave us empty. He is able to deliver on whatever He says. He is the only one who cannot lie.
What sets the Bible apart from all other writings in the world is that the promises of God reside in the Bible. This uniqueness is not without significance. Every single day, lives are shattered through the broken promises of men. These find healing and new meaning through the sure promises of God.
Many people come to church, desperately needing hope for life. The Bible is a priceless source for hope. It is filled with the promises of God. No matter where we are in life, we can find promises from God aimed to give us hope.
How Unbelief Affects the Promises of God
On the other hand, the promises of God are no better than the faith by which we embrace them. Though God is faithful and though He cannot lie, His promises are of little value to those who fail to embrace them by faith.
As a case in point, God promised to take His people to a land flowing with milk and honey during the days of Moses. This was good news to the people. They had been in bondage in Egypt. They were sojourning in the wilderness. They needed a place to call home.
But the older generation never made it to the Promised Land. Why? Because they failed to believe God could deliver on His promise. So, the Bible says, “They could not enter in because of unbelief” (Heb. 3:19).
Notice; it was not because of immorality that the people failed to enter the Promised Land. Not because God couldn’t do what He promised. But because of the people’s unbelief.
I can’t help but wonder how many people today are like the Israelites were. They claim to serve this most capable God. They come to church weekly and hear His promises. But they fail to mix what they hear with faith. The promises of God can give us hope only when we believe He can and will do what He has promised.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.