Breach of promise is a moral wrong. God does not engage in moral wrong because he is the foundation of morals and what is right. God’s promise is based on his will to honour. Hebrews 6: 13 says when God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself. God does not rely on any higher force to honour his promise. God is the ultimate.
Why does God make promises?
God does so to complement our weaknesses. It is also to assure us of his continuous relationship with us. We find such justifications among others in his words of promises to his children. God told Abram in Genesis 12: 3, I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Abraham who was from a family of idol worship needed assurance of protection and favour to replace what he and his generations if he was separated unto God from sin.
God’s angel said to Joseph in a dream in Matthew 1: 21, she will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. This confirms that God’s promises have two main purposes: the assurance of divine security; and restoration spiritually and materially through his grace. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1: 15, this saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners –of whom I am the foremost. God’s promise shows his love for us.
In summary, God’s promises are to give rest to our souls or to free from anxieties and perplexities of life. Jesus said in John 14: 27, peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. God’s promise is to disperse, dispel and overcome fear and doubt from the evil one against God’s word. Psalms 50: 15 says call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Read Jeremiah 29: 12; 33: 33.
Is God’s promise assured?
Biblical evidence shows that yes, God’s promise is sure to happen. Nevertheless, some believe that God breaks his promises sometimes but they are sore wrong. We say so based on the following reasons among unlimited others:
Some biblical statements
The bible says in Hebrews 6: 18 that it is impossible that God will prove false. Numbers 23: 19 says God is not a human being that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will not do it? Has he spoken, and he will not fulfill it? Some of God’s promises may appear impossible by human standard and thus invite doubts. Jesus however said in Matthew 5: 18,… until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Jesus also said in Matthew 19: 26; Mark 10: 27 for mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible. We doubt God based on our thought processes and in response, God has said in Isaiah 55: 8, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Some fulfilled promises
God promised the birth of Jesus to Mary and it was fulfilled, Matthew 1: 21. God’s promise that Jesus is the savior of the world came to pass. John 1: 12 said, to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. In confirmation, Jesus said in Luke 19: 10 says for the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek out to save the lost.
Jesus said God has anointed him to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, Luke 4: 18. This was fulfilled as recorded in Luke 6: 19, Mark 6: 56. Jesus said he will be crucified and will rise on the third day and it happened, Matthew 12: 40; 20: 19; Mark 8: 31; 10: 33-34. The angels at Jesus’ tomb said in Matthew 28: 6, he is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay. This is a witness account.
Fulfillment of ongoing promises
Jesus said in John 14: 26, but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost and continues to believers to date. God said in Genesis 28: 15, I will not leave you until I have done my promise. Jesus affirmed this and said in Hebrews 13: 5, I will never leave you or forsake you. He also said in Matthew 28: 20, I am with you always, to the end of the age. The Holy Spirit is still with us. Similar assurances are found in Matthew 28: 20; Hebrews 13: 5. Those who truly seek Jesus find him.
God’s power for fulfillment
God’s power that enables fulfillment of his word is vested in the name of Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 2: 9, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The power vested in the name of Jesus is also found in John 14: 13-14; 16: 23-24 15: 6. For the purpose of security and restoration, Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 1: 20-23, God put his power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. God’s promise comes to fruition through Christ Jesus. Are we waiting for any promise of God? We must trust what Jesus says, he will forever never fail us.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, you have never changed but the same throughout the ages and so are your promises. We count on your promises which have made us what we are today. Thank you Lord that our doubts cannot change your promises of love, hope and life. May your promises allay all our fears and anxieties knowing that you are not a man that you should lie. Let your promises comfort our restless souls in you through unfailing faith. Forgive us of our doubts and build our faith in your holy name, Amen!!
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