Has God promised you?
There are times that I get frustrated with God’s timing. I get angry that God promised me and now He is taking too long to come through on those promises. I may begin to doubt that He cares or that He is able to provide. One revelation I had today when I was reading Hebrews 6:15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. It may not stop you in your tracks like it did me. Abraham received what was promised. God promised and He provided. I had to stop and ask myself; are these things that I am upset over even promises or just my wants that I have put expectations on? I had to physically stop reading to ponder that.
I have been frustrated trying to understand God’s timing, holding it against Him that He wasn’t following through but as I thought through my thoughts and actions I realized that not only is God alone in charge of the timing but I was holding onto all these wants more tightly than real, true promises of God. As though, I could determine God’s ability to follow through in every promise if He followed through on these “promises”. I realized that focusing my heart and my thoughts on my wants, I began to forget what God has promised and why His promises are good and enough! I was making my desires more important than God’s plans for me and promises He has given.
I want to state that these wants in my life may in fact be things that God has planned for me. They might be areas that He is calling me to step out in faith. They might be areas that He desires to bless me in ways I could never have dreamed but one thing they aren’t – promises. If I hold them above God’s real promises and I get angry with God when I don’t see them coming true then I must realize these are idols in my life. I have put them above God and above His good plans for me. In writing this blog my plan isn’t to give up all those wants and forget them but I am calling them what they are, wants, and choosing ask forgiveness for making them more than they should be and focusing on the promises God has promised me. Then my perspective can be adjusted and I can walk in gratitude for God’s promises that He has given and will continue to provide in my life.
These promises are not solely mine. They are yours too – if you are in Christ. When we humble ourselves, understanding how broken we are and unable to heal ourselves. When we recognize that Christ is the only way to God and Jesus paid the price for my sin, then we can stand on these promises of God. These promises are amazing. How could I be so focused on my wants when God has given me more than I deserve and the best is yet to come! Friend, if you are like me, frustrated at the rate your life is moving or how your prayers are being answered slowly, maybe it’s a perspective shift to see the promises we have already been given! I want to live a life of heartfelt gratitude, understanding that I am blessed beyond measure no matter what God gives me or provides for me in this life. If I choose to only focus on my wants, I lose the ability to focus on the promises I have been given.
In order to get my perspective shifted, I thought it would be good to list a few promises to focus on daily. There are hundreds! But for the sake of not making this post too long, I’ll focus on just a few. ( These are not in any order other than Old Testament and then New Testament for easier searching.)
*Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. We are the only created thing that was made in God’s image. We are image bearers of God! *Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still. *Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. *Deuteronomy 22:27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. We can rest in God’s arms, securely. *Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. We are not alone! God is with us. *Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. *Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? *Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. *Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” *Isaiah 40:28-29 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
*Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! *Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” *Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. *2 Corinthians 4:14 we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. *Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. *James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. *James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. *1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. *1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. *Revelation 21:4-5 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Want more promises? There are promises on every page of the Bible but here are a few more. Happy searching. Isaiah 41:10, 43:2, 54:6; John 3:16, 3:36, 8:36, 10:3-4, 14:2-3 & 13-16; Malachi 3:10; Philippians 4:9; Psalm 34:17, 86:5, 107:13-16; Romans 5:1, 8:38-39, 10:9-10; James 4:7-8, 5:14-15; Matthew 7:9-11, 28:20; Mark 10:27; 2 Corinthians 4:14, 17-18; Deuteronomy 31:8, 33:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Galatians 3:13-14; Ephesians 2:14-22; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:5&7
