Come Up Here And See

When I mention the word promises, what is your reaction to that word? Are there hurts, pains, anger, unbelief or does hope rise in you?

Today many would say that no one keeps their promises. Some have experienced broken marital promises through adultery.  Others may not have been hurt by a spouse but by a parent, a sibling or a friend and they cannot trust anyone to keep their promise. Not only have we all been hurt by someone who did not keep their promise, we have also broken our promises. When it comes to situations where others would say that we have broken our promise we might go as far as to say with a huff and a puff, “Well I did not say I promise” but we would be wrong.

• Oxford defines promise as a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.

The Oxford description explains that you do not have to say “I promise” but if you assured someone, declared, implied that you would do something then you made a promise. Then every one of us would know that they have been a promise breaker. This is why the Lord encourages us to be careful about our words and to keep our speech to a yes or a no.

• Matthew 5: 37 NASB But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin.

The only one who is faithful to His Word, or a promise keeper is the Lord God Almighty. But because of situations where people had a broken promise or broke a promise many have a hard time believing that God is a promise keeper, a covenant maker and keeper and that He will never break his promises.

However, the Word of God says that the Lord is faithful to keep all His promises.

• 1 Corinthians 1: 9 AMP God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

There are multiple articles on the promises of God listing over 8000 promises in the bible. Some of the promises are for protection Psalm 91, some for health and healing Exodus 15: 26b, others for the weary Matthew 28: 20b and of course the greatest promise is for salvation, redemption, and eternal life John 3: 16&17. Promises are listed under different types such as covenant promises, prophetic promises, unconditional promises, and conditional promises.  Honeyletstalk.com/gods-promises/

• Conditional promises are subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition according to Merriam-Webster.

Biblical conditional promises are made by God to us, and it is our responsibility to be obedient so that we can have the entire benefit of that promise. Our free will comes into play with conditional promises; we must choose to be obedient so that we can have the joys, the freedom, the liberty, the wonders, that come with having a conditional promise fulfilled. Because we limit God to our thinking then we limit our lives and do not experience the peace, grace, truth, and so much more that He has for us.

A few of the conditional promises are:

• Matthew 6: 14-15 NASB  For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.

• Romans 8:28-30 ESV And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

• John 3:16ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

• John 14: 12-15 NASB Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. ¹⁵ “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

In these few conditional promises that I mentioned we must forgive others, love God, keep His commandments and above all receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. I know that many of us will be saying how can I ever do all this without failing. This is where God seems to get better all the time. God gives us fresh mercies every day, and He also provides the grace which is the empowerment to live out these conditional promises. The best part is that when we do fail, God is faithful to forgive. Oh, how I love and appreciate the Lord!

God is faithful to love us, and I trust Him because He sent His Son, Jesus Christ and all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus.

• 2 Corinthians 1: 20 AMP For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

Since God loves us with an everlasting love, He is longsuffering and wanting everyone to fulfill their part of the conditional promises. That is the Father’s heart desire for each one of us since the day of creation. I stand on the scripture found in 2 Peter which encourages and reminds me of how to pray.

• 2 Peter 3: 9 NASB  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

Holy Spirit, we thank you that You are the promise keeper that we can trust and rely on. Not only that but that You will teach us to become like You so that others can trust us when we make promises or even trust us with their promises. I trust that You will bring back to remembrance where we have not kept our promises and need to ask forgiveness from You or others. Lord all we can say is help. Lord we are grateful that You are patient, long suffering toward us waiting for all to come to repentance so Lord guide us how to pray with Your heart and mindset, in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.