When the pioneering missionary Hudson Taylor opened a bank account for the China Inland Mission, the application form required the applicant to list its assets. Taylor reportedly stated the sum total of the missions’ assets as: “Ten pounds and all the promises of God.” When Adoniram Judson, the first Baptist missionary to Burma, was asked how bright the prospects for the conversion of the natives were, he replied: “As bright as the promises of God.” When Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, found herself at a dark place, with her imagination running wild concerning a prodigal son, she sensed the Lord urging her to, “Quit studying the problems and start studying the promises.”
Like these saints of God, we would do well to trade in the promises of God. Believing what God has promised to do for His people provides courage in life, hope in death, joy in sorrow, strength in trouble, and direction in perplexity. As Hebrews 11 shows, people who believe the promises of God act courageously, stand boldly, and live expectantly! They build ships in the middle of the desert (Noah), move without a map in hand (Abraham), see birth in the midst of barrenness (Sarah), say no to what the world says yes to (Moses), and watch walls crumble (Joshua). A foundation based on the promises of God allows God’s children to venture a meaningful life, a happy death and a glorious eternity.
In 2 Peter 1:4 the Apostle Peter reminds Christians in Asia Minor that to experience the sufficiency of Christ in all things, and to becomes partakers of the divine nature, they must cash in on the promises of God (2 Peter 1:3-4). They must recognize that every promise in the Bible that is justifiably theirs is a bank check made out to them and signed by God. To enjoy a rich relationship with Christ, they must avoid being window-shoppers in the storehouse of God’s revealed word. It was imperative that those of like precious faith “day-trade” in the promises of God for increased grace and peace (1 Peter 1:2).
Peter firstly shows us that the promises of God are exceedingly great in number. The Bible has some 7,487 promises made by God to man, many of which directly apply to us. There are more than enough promises applicable to you to cover every day and every situation.
Peter further shows us that the promises of God are precious in nature. These great promises have come to us at a great price. We must treasure the promises of God because their fulfilment cost God His one and only Son.
Peter finally shows us that the promises of God are ours in knowing Christ. Since Christ is the one great promise fulfilled, He affirms and validates the trustworthiness of all of God’s other promises (2 Cor. 1:20). Jesus is God’s benediction on all His promised blessings.
D. L. Moody once wrote a book on the Promises of God. A man looking for a copy wrote to the publisher and received this strange reply: “The Promises of God are out of print.”
Thankfully, the promises of God are not out of print; they are written in the indelible ink of inspired Scripture, and they are “Yes and Amen” in Christ. Enjoy!