One of the most practical gifts to give during the holiday season is a gift voucher. It speaks of the generosity of the giver, and the thought she put into choosing the store where the voucher can be redeemed. At the same time, it gives the gift recipient the freedom to choose the product or service she desires from the establishment.
If we will think about it, our Heavenly Father employs the same scheme when it comes to giving us His promises. Like vouchers that guarantee a gift, God’s promises assures that we will receive the blessing our Lord intends for us.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9
However, we ought to know what these promises are, and we can only know about them if we read the Bible. Much like a person gifted with a voucher, he will never know what he can claim if he will not go to the shop to see what is in store for him. As followers of Jesus, we must read, familiarize, and reflect on the scriptures for us to have the confidence to claim from the Lord the blessings that He guarantees.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8
Israel’s greatest king, King David, and his son Solomon, were both confident in invoking God’s promises. In their prayers, whether during times of thanksgiving or distress, they boldly come to the Lord, reminding Him of His covenant and assurance of blessings, guidance and presence.
David repeatedly called upon God, as quoted in his numerous psalms:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Solomon on the other hand invoked God’s promises many times, especially in the beginning of his reign and in building the First Temple.
“O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 2 Chronicles 1:9-10
Like David and Solomon, we, present-day followers of Jesus can boldly claim Jesus’ promises. If we know in our hearts that we abide in Him and we try to do His will, we can count on His unchanging character to answer our supplications in His own perfect time.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Some of the promises we can claim everyday are the mercies that He renews every morning. When we come to Him to ask for forgiveness for the times we sinned and fall short of His teachings, He promises to forgive us and allow us to start anew.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
The Bible contains more than 8,000 promises, but we can never claim any of these if we do not know them at all. Moreover, we cannot receive them when we do not have faith in the one true God that showers His blessings upon us, and does not withhold good things from us.
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Hebrews 6:13-20 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What promise of God would you dare claim?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you very much for giving us promises to hold on to, in both good and bad times. Give us the confidence to claim these, as we try our very best to abide in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
