Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (JN 8:32)

Church & Ministries

Friday, Feb 10, 2012

Claiming God’s Promises for Yourself

0
By Luis Palau , Christian Post Guest Columnist
January 6, 2009|5:05 pm

As you have read and studied, memorized and meditated on various passages in the Bible, what sections have seemed the most difficult to believe?

Prophecy? Narrative portions? Doctrinal passages? Or God’s promises?

Many Christians have the most problem believing the promises of God. Oh, they sound nice, and sometimes they even cheer us up. But we wonder, Are they really true? Unconsciously, at least, we question whether or not God keeps His promises.

D.L. Moody confidently stated, "God never made a promise that was too good to be true." Think about that!

In the Old Testament we read, "Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled" (Joshua 21:45; compare 23:14, 15). Solomon later declared, "Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses" (1 Kings 8:56).

None of God’s promises have ever failed! The only absolutes we can proclaim are those found in God’s Word. The Bible testifies of things beyond what man knows or can learn apart from God’s revelation.

Like us on Facebook

God has gone on record many times throughout His authoritative Word and has given us - His pilgrims passing through this world - very great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4).

Some of His promises were made specifically to an individual (Joshua 14:9), a group (Deuteronomy 15:18), or a nation (Haggai 1:13). We must be careful not to claim haphazardly promises intended for someone else! Many Old Testament promises, thankfully, are repeated in the New Testament and are ours to claim today. God promised Joshua, "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). In Hebrews 13:5 God transfers that promise to us as Christians.

Charles Spurgeon stated, "O man, I beseech you, do not treat God’s promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but believe them and use them." We appropriate God’s promises by learning them (through study and memorization), by seeing our need for them (through meditation), and by giving God time to work them out in our daily experience (through application). J.I. Packer said, "God teaches the believer to value His promised gifts by making him wait for them, and compelling him to pray persistently for them, before He bestows them."

God has promised to meet our every need. But we must ask for His provision. Christ says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). Any of God’s promises that we can claim in Jesus’ name are guaranteed and will be performed for us by God for His glory (John 14:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

What is the need of your heart today? The Lord has promised to meet that need! Simply take Him at His Word.

_______________________________________________



World evangelist and author Luis Palau and his ministry, Luis Palau Association, have shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to more than 25 million people in 72 countries with close to 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ.
0
Top Stories

New FRC Report Finds 162 Reasons to Marry

To celebrate National Marriage Week, Family ...

UK Court Rejects Christian Hotel Owners' Appeal Against Gay Couple

A British court rejected an appeal Friday from two Christian hotel owners who were sued after turning away a gay couple from their establishment because of their beliefs regarding pre-marital sex.

Legal Expert Informed White House Law Is Unclear on Contraception Mandate

Lawsuits over the Obama administration's ruling ...

City Council in Iowa in Talks to Bring Prayer Back to Meetings

A religious organization in Iowa is hoping to bring prayer back to city council meetings after the practice was dropped earlier this year.

Clergy Group Pushes Darwinism as Sound Science in 'Evolution Weekend'

More than 500 churches in ten different countries ...

Religious Leaders Supporting Md. Gay Marriage Bill Cherry Picked

Gay rights advocates have drawn a select group of religious leaders to support gay marriage in Maryland ahead of Friday's hearing for the "marriage equality" bill.

Crystal Cathedral to See Name Change, New Design

Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove, Calif., ...