After a recent visit from grands, I thought about how different childhood is today from my days as a Mom of girls.. Reminiscing about my daughters growing up and outside summer play, led me to images of biking with friends and picnicking in the nearby gazebo. As little girls, they also had clapping games, like “Miss Mary Mack”. I heard it over and over. If they planned to play a board game, they determined who would start by using “One Potato, Two Potato”.
Children’s games and songs are universal, including the ritual of pinky swear—two people locking pinkies to signify their promise. Girls loved keeping secrets, so they promised not to tell. Or perhaps the pinky promise was a plan to play again tomorrow morning after breakfast. They hoped their friends would do what they promised.
Promises are serious words of honor. As adults we depend on promises too—that a friend or family member would keep a commitment to do something or be somewhere. We expect others to mean what they say and keep their word. Sometimes breaking a promise has serious consequences. At the very least, we are disappointed when a promise is broken.
God doesn’t break His promises. He is trustworthy and reliable.
As I thought about writing this series—mostly to remind and encourage myself—I laid out some of God’s promises: His commitments, declarations, or assurances that He will follow through on what He says. He gives His guarantee and word of honor. He does not disappoint.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.
My girls promised with “pinky swear” because they needed or wanted to be assured that something would come to pass as they said and hoped. We count on God’s promises to do the same. When we look at what He says and know He will keep His word for our needs, we can be sure we will have
- Comfort in sorrow
- Peace in anxiety
- Strength to meet challenges
- Clarity and wisdom when unsure of a decision
- Joy when circumstances say otherwise.
His promises tell us He will do that and more.
Before we dive in on a new series, let’s start with the foundation of His unconditional love and faithfulness–the basis for knowing He will keep His promises.
For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NLT)
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV)
The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
Which of God’s promises mean the most to you? What has sustained you in hard times? What gives you hope you can count on because you know God keeps His promises?
To answer your question, I think the one I hold onto most these days is John 14:3. To know He is coming back for His children enables me to overcome the fear and uncertainty of this world.
I agree. In addition to His love and faithfulness that never ends, looking to the promise of His return (or our leaving for heaven before He comes back) is a promise to cling to always but especially on hard days– we are citizens of heaven and this home here is a temporary location. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you for this inspiring message of hope and the reminder that God promises to
grant peace, comfort, strength, wisdom, and joy. We know in times of sorrow, some of these promises seem hidden, but God is faithful to keep His promises. There are so many verses in the Bible that give us hope, but I’ll mention Matthew 28:20, the last message Jesus shared with His disciples, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
If there is one truth I have known daily in the past 9 1/2 years, Katherine, it has been God’s faithfulness. And thank you for sharing Matt. 28:20. Marilyn
I rely on that verse in 2 Peter a lot. Whenever I feel like something is lacking, I am reminded that His promise is that He has already given me EVERYTHING I need. Thank you for encouraging us through His promises!
Yes, it is already there and all His promises are “yes”.
I love Romans 8:28 — especially when going through difficult times. He never lets us down; that is my hope.
Agree– in the difficult and the puzzling, He is weaving together.
I love that God always keeps his promises. Thanks for the encouragement.
Glad to have you join in the conversation. Thanks for stopping by. Marilyn
Marilyn, my favorite promise is, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). When I focus on His presence, challenges are much easier to face. I’m looking forward to your series. I enjoyed this initial post with the story about your daughters and the Scripture you included.
Thanks Jeannie. Your verse is one for any moment in any life season–stability for sure. Marilyn
I liked your example of pinkie swears in contrast to the rock solid, forever faithful promises of God. I especially love His promise to go before me and be with me, to never leave me or forsake me (Deut. 31: 8)