The Promises of God
I remember being inquisitive one day and trying to figure out how many promises of God were in the Bible. Let me just say… good thing for the internet! I found a number of different responses, but the general consensus was, there are over three thousand promises God has made to us. These promises range from health, to peace, to prosperity, freedom, finances, family concerns and security.
So that you know, many of these promises were given in the Old Testament based upon a formula most of us are very familiar with: “If” we keep the commands of the Lord — “then” He will solve our problems, do amazing things, and take complete care of us.
For example: Deuteronomy 11:22-23,
“Love the LORD your God and obey all the laws and teachings that I’m giving you today. If you live the way the LORD wants, (then) He will help you take the land. And even though the nations there are more powerful than you, the LORD will force them to leave when you attack”
We totally get this because it’s how we’ve learned to function: “If we do this, then we’ll receive that.” The problem is we know that we don’t always love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and we don’t always walk in His ways, and we don’t always hold fast to Him. With this kind of thinking in place we know, when we don’t do the “ifs” we can’t expect the “thens”.
However, as I was reading my Bible this morning I came across a passage in which a man by the name of Paul tells us, God already has done the “if” part through His Son Christ Jesus. And He’s given us the Holy Spirit so we can be absolutely certain of His guarantee. Read this…
“Christ says ‘Yes’ to all of God’s promises. That’s why we have Christ to say ‘Amen’ for us to the glory of God. And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand firmly together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us, and put His Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to Him.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 CEV
So, Deuteronomy 11:22 now says: “Jesus kept all these commands I gave you to follow — He loved the Lord His God, He walked in obedience to Him, He held fast to Him.” So by God’s grace and for His glory — no matter how weak, foolish and undeserving we are — when we opened our heart to Jesus, He placed us in Christ and all His promises became “Yes” and “Amen.”
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
We’re no longer “If,” “Then” people! In Christ, live as “Yes” and “Amen” people.
Father,
Thank You for Your promises that are still for today. And thank You that in our Savior, Jesus, each and every one of them is “Yes” and “Amen.” Jesus in Your glorious name we pray, Amen.
Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
