How do I know which of God’s promises are for me?

Answer

There are numerous promises of God in the Bible. How can we determine which promises are relevant to us, which promises we can embrace? To rephrase this question, how can one distinguish between general promises and specific promises? A general promise is one that the Holy Spirit gives to every believer in every era. When the author wrote the promise, there were no restrictions on the time period or the recipient.

An example of a general promise is 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This promise is rooted in God’s forgiving nature and is accessible to all believers universally. Another instance of a general promise is Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This promise is extended to all believers who, by not worrying, present their requests to God (v. 8). Additional examples of general promises include Psalm 1:3; 27:10; 31:24; John 4:13-14 (observe the term “whoever”); and Revelation 3:20.

A specific promise is one that is directed to particular individuals on specific occasions. The context of the promise typically clarifies who the intended recipient is. For instance, the promise in 1 Kings 9:5 is highly specific: “I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever.” The verses before and after make it evident that God is addressing only King Solomon.

Luke 2:35 contains another specific promise: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This prophecy/promise was specifically for Mary and was fulfilled during her lifetime. While a specific promise is not universally made to all believers, the Holy Spirit can still utilize sSpecific promises are given to guide or encourage God’s children. For instance, the promise in Isaiah 54:10 was originally intended for Israel, but the Holy Spirit has used these words to bring comfort to many Christians today: “My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor will my covenant of peace be removed.”

When he was directed to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, the apostle Paul embraced the promise from Isaiah: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Although Isaiah’s promise was initially for the Messiah, Paul found direction for his own life from it. When claiming one of God’s promises from Scripture, we should consider the following principles:

1) God’s promises often come with conditions. Pay attention to the word “if” in the context.
2) God gives us promises to help us submit better to His will and trust Him. A promise does not force God to comply with our desires.
3) We cannot assume to know precisely when, where, or how God’s promises will manifest in our lives.