What are the promises of God?

Answer

There are numerous promises of God in Scripture. In each promise, God pledges that something will (or will not) be done, given, or come to pass. These are not casual promises like those we often make; these promises of God are firm, unequivocal commitments made by God Himself. Because God is faithful, the recipients of the divine promises can have complete assurance that what God has pledged will indeed be fulfilled “God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”, (Numbers 23:19).

Here are just a few of the promises that God has made:

Promises of God in the Old Testament.

God promised to bless Abraham and, through his descendants, the whole world (Genesis 12:2-3). This promise, known as the Abrahamic Covenant, pointed to the coming Messiah whom Abraham anticipated “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”, (John 8:56).

God promised Israel to be their God and make them His people (Leviticus 26:12-13). The history of the Old Testament is filled with examples of God fulfilling this promise.

God promised that if we search for Him, we will find Him “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”, (Deuteronomy 4:29). He is not elusive. “Our God is near us whenever we pray to him” “For what nation is tHere is a great question: who has God so near to them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?”, (Deuteronomy 4:7).

God promised protection for His children (Psalm 121). He was the vigilant watchman over all Israel.

God promised that His love will never fail “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; For his mercy endureth for ever.”, (1 Chronicles 16:34). He is faithful in every way.

God promised Israel that their sin could be forgiven, their prosperity restored, and their nation healed “if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”, (2 Chronicles 7:14). Repentance opened the road to fellowship and blessing.

God, under the terms of the Mosaic Covenant, promised prosperity to Israel for obedience and destruction for disobedience (Deuteronomy 30:15-18). Unfortunately, Israel eventually chose to disobey, and the nation was destroyed by Assyria and Babylon.

God promised blessing for all who will delight themselves in His Word (Psalm 1:1-3). Simple faith has its rewards.

Promises of God in the New Testament.

God promised salvation to all who believe in His Son (Romans 1:16-17). There is no greater blessing than the free gift of God’s salvation.

God promised that all things will work out for good for His children “And we know that all things work together for good to thThose who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose., (Romans 8:28). This is the bigger picture that prevents us from being discouraged by current circumstances.

God assured comfort in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He has a plan, and one day we will be able to share the comfort we receive.

God promised new life in Christ «Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). Salvation marks the beginning of a completely new existence.

God pledged every spiritual blessing in Christ «Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: », (Ephesians 1:3). While in the Old Testament, Israel had the promise of physical blessings, the church today has been assured spiritual blessings “in the heavenly realms.” Our inheritance is kept for us «to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, », (1 Peter 1:4).

God vowed to complete the work He initiated in us «being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 1:6). God does not do things halfway. He initiated the work in us, and He will undoubtedly finish it.

God assured peace when we pray (Philippians

4:6-7). His peace provides protection. It will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.”

God has promised to meet our needs (Matthew 6:33;Philippians 4:19). Not that we receive everything we desire, but our needs will be looked after. We are more valuable than the birds, and our Heavenly Father feeds them «Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? », (Matthew 6:26).

Jesus’ assurances in the Gospels.

Jesus assured rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Burdens are lifted at Calvary.

Jesus assured abundant life to those who follow Him «The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. », (John 10:10). Following Jesus brings us more spiritual fulfillment than we could have expected. We leave boredom behind.

Jesus assured eternal life to those who trust Him «but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. », (John 4:14). The Good Shepherd also assured to hold us securely: “No one will snatch them out of my hand” «and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. », (John 10:28).

Jesus assured His disciples power from on high «But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and you will be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. », (Acts 1:8). In this power, they “turned the world upside down” «And when they found them not, they brought Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down have come hither also; », (Acts 17:6, ESV).

Jesus promised that He will return for us (John 14:2-3). From then on, we will be with Him always.

There are many more promises of God that could be listed. All of them find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, “the radiance of God’s glory” «who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; », (Hebrews 1:3). “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” «For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. », (2 Corinthians 1:20).