4 Secrets of God's Promises
4 Secrets of God's Promises
The struggle to trust God with his promises is a common issue among his followers (throughout the ages). Here are four secrets toward a willingness to step into God's promises.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have full access to the promises of God. Good news, right?
So why do we struggle with believing God will come through on our behalf?
For many of us, our lack of trust is based on a bad experience with a past broken promise. It could have been unfulfilled promises from our childhood. Maybe you had a bad experience in a romantic relationship. It might have been a trusted friend who let you down when you most needed her.
When I was three, my parents divorced. I continued to have a relationship with my father who moved a thousand miles away, but it led me to struggle to trust in a good, heavenly Father. Would God leave me too?
You too have been let down by real, tangible people. Can you trust an unseen God with His promises?
You are not alone. Scripture is full of men and women who struggled to trust God with His promises. History is littered with people of faith tripped up by the lack of trust in God’s promises. I’ve ignored God’s promises, but knowing a few secrets about God’s promises has helped me tremendously over the past few years.
2 Types of Promises
Before I go any further, let me be clear on two different aspects of God’s promises. First, there are promises for everyone. There are hundreds of promises listed in scripture. One person counted over 7,000 promises found in the Bible! Here is a sample list of 160 promises found in the Bible. These promises range from God’s faithfulness in general to healing and provision.
Second, there are promises specifically for you. This could be one of those scriptures listed that God highlights with neon flashing lights specifically for you, it could be a promise spoken to you (usually in the still, small voice of God), or your promise could be the dream buried in your heart that you just can’t shake.
4 Secrets About God’s Promises
Whether it is a promise for everyone or a promise just for you, there are four secrets you need to know about God’s promises:
1. The great conversion.
Thousands of years ago, Abraham became the father of our faith because he took God at His word. God made a series of unbelievable promises, and Abraham trusted God would come through in those promises.
“Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” -Genesis 15:1-6 NLT (emphasis mine)
Abraham wasn’t perfect, but he believed. God honored Abraham because of his faith. This honor manifested itself as righteousness. Not everything Abraham did was righteous. Abraham made a lot of (deliberate) mistakes. Yet, it is Abraham who is called the father of our faith.
God does the same thing for you. Your faith will make you righteous. It’s the same principle God uses to call you a child of God. You put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and you are made righteous based on God’s goodness…not yours.
If you trust God with his promises, He will honor you.
2. All it takes is a drop.
We moved into our current home about 10 years ago. Early on, our front yard was professionally landscaped. One of the bushes planted was less than knee-high all those years ago. Not long ago, while doing some maintenance on the yard, I noted how that bush is now over 6 feet tall. It reminded me of this parable of Jesus:
“Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”” -Matthew 13:31-32 NLT
This principle of a seed planted growing into a full, mature plant is true across life.
The little bit of trust Abraham put in God’s promises expanded over the years. It was a seed that grew and grew. That seed became a firm and fruitful tree. It changed Abraham’s life, and it changed everyone who he came into contact with.
That is how the Kingdom of God works. When you choose to trust God — with even the smallest bit of faith — God will grow that seed. This is true with our life as believers, and it is true with God’s promises. You will see God come through on his promise, and your faith will grow. Then God fulfills the next, and that seed will quickly become a mature tree.
Faith in God’s promises starts small and grows. Be okay with your small beginning.
3. A flow of blessings.
When I trust in God, I share in the blessing given to Abraham. Abraham’s blessing was more than a son or family; Abraham was also promised wealth, influence, security, grace, and a home. But most importantly, the blessing Abraham received was a transformational faith. This blessing was to be shared with others.
Abraham’s blessing was a legacy.
The Apostle Paul put it like this:
“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.” -Galatians 3:5-9 NLT
Transformation begins inwardly, but it will seep into all parts of our life. It is our health. The blessing is financial. Transformation is breaking habits. It is hope where there once was complete hopelessness.
The legacy Abraham left to you is yours to pass on to others.
All of God’s promises are yours to both experience and share with others.
4. Purpose in the struggle.
I grow more through struggle than I do when things flow smoothly and easily. Trusting God requires waging a fight with myself to believe God will come through with his promises. This leads to growth.
“I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”
-Colossians 1:24-29 NLT
To be clear, the struggle and suffering Paul refers to here is true pain - beatings, imprisonment, and rejection by countrymen and family. But again, the principle here is true.
Your struggle leads to growth.
For me, it’s the promises of provision I struggle with. It manifests itself in me through fear and a lack of generosity. Yet, when I choose to trust God with his promise of provision in my life, he continues to fulfill it. It’s a struggle, but I grow when I trust in God.
More than that, I become a blessing to others with my resources - I participate in Abraham’s legacy. When I see God continue to provide for me my faith grows, so I continue to be generous and witness God’s provision. And finally, my faith in God returns to me as righteousness. I’m still a sinner who makes mistakes, but God converts my faith into His goodness.
Step into Your Promises
What has God promised you?
God has promised you over 7,000 different amazing things. He’s promised things to us collectively and to you personally. God knows you intimately and cares for every part of your life.
So, despite how you’ve been let down in the past by men and women, will you trust God with these promises for you?
This week begin stepping into those promises. Trust God with just the smallest bit of faith. You will be made righteous. Your faith will grow. You will be blessed. Your struggle with lead to growth.
Step into God’s promises.
Writing Playlist
I don’t know if we have the same taste in music, but here are some songs to explore. All the links go to Spotify. While writing this post, this is some of what I was listening to:
Abandoned - Brandon Lake
Brick by Brick - Drew Holcombe and the Neighbors
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Word of the Year
Last week I finished up a series of posts on creating, learning, and growing from your Word of the Year. If you would like a free PDF version of this information, it is free to all subscribers, and I’ll be sending it out in a few days.
If you are not a subscriber and would like a copy, you can subscribe here:
