INTRODUCTION – William Carey, the great missionary statesman and missionary to India, said of the promises of God, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.”
Indeed for the children of God, the future is bright because God has given us promises for every step of our journey with Him. Everything God has willed for us, He has paved the way with His promises. They are like stepping stones for all the fullness of Christ and all the fullness of the Holy Spirit to become ours.
So this study is designed to help us stand on God’s promises until His highest will and purposes for us are accomplished. May this simple outline aid in this pursuit.
I. The Purpose of God’s Promises A. To help us grow in faith – Romans 4:19-21
B. To give us hope – Lamentations 3:17, 18, 21-25
C. To motivate us to pray – Jeremiah 33:3; I John 5:14,15; John 16:24
D. To enable us to be like Christ – II Peter 1:2-4; II Corinthians 7:1
II. The Characteristics of God’s Promises A. They Never Fail – Joshua 23:14; I Kings 8:56; (Romans 3:3,4)
B. They are based on God’s character – Numbers 23:19
C. They are obtained by faith and patience – Hebrews 6:11,12
1. Promise of flood/judgment – Noah – Gen. 5:32 = 500 yrs. old; Gen. 7:6 600 yrs. old floods came.
2. The Example of Abraham – promise of a son – Gen. 12:1-3 (75 yrs. old); 25 years later – Isaac is born = Gen. 21:5
D. They are fulfilled on schedule – Galatians 4:4; II Peter 3:9
E. They sometimes come with conditions – John 15:7, 16; Romans 8:28
III. Claiming God’s Promises A. Must learn to personalize God’s word 1. Be aware of context of passage 2. Seek confirmation when not sure it is a promise from God to you 3. Memorize promises to strengthen your faith and ward off fiery darts of the evil one. Psalm 119:9-11 = general principle Examples: – financial worries/provision – Phil. 4:19; II Cor. 9:8 – fear of making wrong decisions – Proverbs. 16:1,9 – fear of failure – Psalm 138:8a; Phil. 4:13 – fear of overpowering sin – Romans 6:14; II Thess. 3:3 – fear of not being able to accomplish God’s will/call – I Thess. 5:24 – fear of evil – Prov. 1:33 – fear of God not forgiving me – Psalm 86:5; Lamentations 3:22,23; I John 1:9 – fear of being shamed or maligned by others – Psalm 108:13
CONCLUSION – “Every promise of scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request, “Do as Thou hast said.” The Heavenly Father will not break His word to His own child.” Charles H. Spurgeon