Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Joshua 21:45
Adoniram Judson, the great missionary to Burma, stated, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” Have you ever been disappointed when someone made a promise to you and failed to keep it? I imagine we all have felt that way. We live in a world of broken promises, don’t we? From outlandish political promises to over-the-top ads, many of us have become sceptical whenever we hear someone make a claim that appears too good to be true. Because of the disappointment of unfulfilled promises, many place little faith when a person makes a promise to them. However, God’s promises are not like man’s promises. God never over-promises and He never under-delivers.
Notice the passage from Joshua says that “not a word failed … All came to pass.” God’s word is trustworthy. His promises are true. What God says, He will do.
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoke and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
Fast forward into the New Testament. Peter said that God has “…given to us exceedingly great and precious promises…”
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
Are we uttering amen to His promises or are we accepting defeat every day of our lives? Why should we feel alone when God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you?” Why accept mediocrity when God has told us we are “more than conquerors” through Christ? Why succumb to the pressures of life when He has said “…my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Why keep saying “I can’t” when He says you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” you? Why give-in to condemnation when He says “…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”?
We need to apply the promises to our lives. No matter what your circumstance, God’s Word has a promise of hope waiting for you. God made a promise to Abraham that he would become the father of many nations. We are told in Romans 4 that Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfil it. He took God at His word, and as a result he became the father of many nations.
We need to believe the promises of God which He shares with us in His Word. We need to expect God to fulfil them in our lives. We need to take God at His Word and then we will see the results. Charges Spurgeon once said:
Do not treat God’s promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but believe them and use them.
By the exercise of our faith, God’s promises become personal. A PLACE OF SAFETY.