God's Promise: Forgiveness

 

"O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help." Psalm 86:5

    The promise to forgive is conditional.  You have to have a humble heart to find forgiveness.  You have to be brokenhearted over your sin to really repent and turn away from it.  However, call out to God with a contrite heart seeking forgiveness and you will be forgiven.  It does not matter what the sin was.  Your sin will be forgotten like it never happened with God.  

    This promise is recorded from a prayer written by David.  He was thanking God for being who He is.  God always showed up in his time of need or distress.  God always forgave him and made him more abundant for his repentance.  God's forgiveness is mercy experienced through true love.  It is a gift that only God can provide and it is available to everyone who is willing to accept it.

    The conditions to the promise of forgiveness start with Jesus.  You have to accept the gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus.  Your faith and love for Jesus allows you to be forgiven in every area of your life.  The moment of salvation erases all your past sins for your entire life up to this point.  Just because you are a Christians does not mean you don't live in the fallen world or influenced by it.  You will never lose your salvation, but you do need to maintain repentance and forgiveness to stay close to God.

    God offers forgiveness to everyone.  It is equal and fair.  The only way you do not get it is if you do not accept it.  His forgiveness reveals His love for you.  It reveals God's compassion, graciousness, long suffering, mercy, and truth.  Pray for to God for forgiveness as an appeal for His kindness.  His character is loyal, so you can believe that you will receive it.  His redemption is abundant.  It is available to you.

Psalm 86:5, 130:7-8, 145:9. & Joel 2:13

God's Promise: Deliverance

 

"Call on Me when you are in trouble, I will deliver (rescue) you, and you will give me glory." Psalm 50:15

    The promise from God to deliver you in not conditional, but He does tell you how to display gratitude.  This is an unconditional promise, but your response to it determines how affective it is in your life.  When you call out to God you show some level of faith.  It may be a last resort, but everyone starts somewhere.  The point is that God is wherever you are.  He is meeting you where you are ready to meet Him.  He loved you even when you were His enemy.

    Asaph recorded this promise maybe in a lesson format or maybe for his own personal reference to life.  He was a leader of worship under King David.  He knew the kings heart, so he found the freedom to worship God in a way that really glorified Him.  The message behind the promise is a reminder of what true worship is all about.  True worship reveals a heart that belongs to God.  It reveals how much you trust God.

    To call upon God is to pray.  It does not matter how big or small your problem is, God will deliver you from what is hurting you or causing you stress.  You only need to believe that He will and listen to His direction to get out of the situation.  God is listening and He will deliver you from all kinds of evil.

    The promise is God's response to your prayer.  It is proof that He is there and listening to you.  The rescue is the proof that He always keeps His Word.  God cannot lie.  It is not based on how good you are or even if you are a Christian.  God wants a real relationship with you.  He knows that this may be door for that.  You may still reject Him after the fact, but it does not change who He is: good, righteous, true.  

    Your response to God's deliverance reveals your heart and character.  If you give God the glory, then you are praising Him.  It reveals a humble heart that recognizes a good thing when it comes around.  If you do not recognize God at all it reveals a hard and prideful heart.  The character revealed is someone who may resent help, dismiss help, or so prideful that they never realized how much help they actually needed.  It is better for you to choose to follow God.  He will make you honest and give you a true character that reflects Him.  It is a life of honor that comes from God.

   

Job 22:27, Psalm 22:23, 50:15, 91:15, 107:6-28, & Zechariah 13:9

God's Promise: Never Fall

 

"The Lord directs the steps of the Godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."  Psalm 37:23-24

    The promise to never fail is conditional.  You have to put your faith into God.  You have to trust the relationship.  You have to believer that God is there protecting you.  It will give you the confidence to walk with Jesus boldly.  The more you mold your life to be like Jesus the more you see how much God is protecting you.  He is holding your hand as you walk in step, so that if you start to fall he can keep you from going head first into trouble.  You may lose your step for a minute, but you do not fall.  He will not allow His enemies to destroy you.

    This promise is all about God's grace.  He knows you are not perfect, but He also knows your heart.  If you love Him and try to put that relationship first, then you will find mercy.  Where some people may self-destruct, God will help you get through.  He is there supporting you.  He will sustain you when you have nothing left to give.  He takes pleasure providing for you.  It pleases Him to see your gratitude and good attitude that comes from what He provided for you.

    It is like when you go hiking.  It has hard parts where you think you can't go another step.  God will keep you from falling.  He will wait on you when you go slow.  He will keep you from going over the edge when you are tired and not paying as close attention.  You may trip occasionally, get muddy, get sweaty, scrap your hand or knee, but you will not break bones, walk into peril, or die.  He keeps you from injuring yourself where you can't go further in your journey.  He is everything you need on that hike.  He provides what you do not have.  You will not make it on your own.  You need Him to keep your steps secure.  Same goes for exploring caves.  He is the light that shows you where to go in the darkness.

1 Samuel 2:9, Psalm 34:19-20, 37:23-24, 40:2, 91:12, Proverbs 24:16, Micah 7:8, & 2 Corinthians 4:9

God's Promise: To Hear You

 

Yahweh Rapha hears his people when they call to him for help.  He delivers them from all their troubles.  Psalm 34:17

    The promise to be heard by God is powerful.  It means that you trust Him to be there, care, and listen.  When you need God cry out to Him.  Put your trust in Him that even if things do not work out the way you want them to that it will serve His purpose.  Trust that He will take care of your needs and get you out of bad situations.  

    To cry out to God is a humble experience.  His children should not wait until He is the last resort.  You need to turn to God before things get bad. It is act of trust because you know He will respond.  He cares, so He is attentive to your pain.  Trust Him to rescue you even if you got yourself into that situation.  This is not just a promise to listen to you.  It is a promise of deliverance too.  You are not alone in your struggles.  He is right there going through it with you.  

    The following verses go into a little more depth about what it means to be listened to by God.  It means that if you allow Him, then He will heal your broken heart.  He won't mend it and leave you to your healing.  He will heal it, make it stronger, and give you the ability to love even when the world tells you it is not safe to love.  Your spirit does not need to stay damaged or crushed.  

    God knows that life has many troubles, but He has promised to deliver you, heal you, and get you through every single one.  Do not live in fear.  Life is hard, but God is stronger than anything that comes at you.  He is against all evil, so you know that He will not allow evil to have His righteous children.  

    If you are a true Christian, then that includes you.  Being a child of God makes you the enemy of the world.  That means that many people will be against you.  Do not worry because you have God fighting for and with you for what is good and righteous.  Seek God in your times of trouble and He will be there every time.       

Psalm 34:15-19, 46:1, 91:15, & 145:19-20

God's Promise: Watch Over

 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you". Psalm 32:8

    The promise that God is watching over you is an impactful promise.  He is promising to give you instruction in life, teach you His way, guide you on your life path, and to give you counsel.  You find what you need in the Bible, but the promise that you will find it should be comforting.  It can take some of the stress out of your life because you know He is in control.  His control is not about breaking, conquering, or ruling over you.  It is loving you enough to correct you when you go in the wrong direction.

    This promise is given to everyone, but it is personal.  Your path with God is based on who you are, where you are when you get on it, and what God's purpose for your life.  It is divine in how He directs you and provides you with wisdom.  He shows up everyday to help you with all your decisions.  If you are tired of making all the decisions big or small, then remember you can always ask Him.  He has best answers.

    God's loving eye on you tells you how closely He is watching over you.  When you love someone you watch them for no reason.  You watch because you can't help yourself.  If you love someone that much, then imagine how much God loves you.  He is the good parent that wants to prevent you from any harm.  It is only when you are determined to put yourself in harms way that He will allow it.  Sometime it serves a bigger purpose, but it doesn't mean that He doesn't love you.

    Pray for understanding when life does not make sense.  When you don't understand what God is doing or have doubts, turn to His Word and pray for guidance.  Pray for wisdom and He will give it abundantly.  He will show up if you have an open heart.  If you insist on being stubborn, then He will leave you to your own way.  He will never force you to have a relationship with Him or to follow Jesus.  The promise sums up that if you have faith and follow, then you will find wisdom in life.

Psalm 23:3, 32:8, 48:14, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 48:17, & James 1:5

God's Promise: Stronghold

 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble" in fear (dread)? Psalm 27:1

    The promise that came from God to be your stronghold was recorded by David.  He recorded it because of his deep trust in God.  No matter how dire the circumstances, David knew that God was protecting him and would get him through it.  God was his stronghold.  God is your stronghold.  That means that God is your strength.  He supports you with His power and safety.  

    God is the light that reveals the way through.  He will remove the darkness so you can see the next step that you need to take in your journey with Him.  He may not reveal the whole path, but He does give you what you need each step of the way.  If you are a Christian, then He gave you salvation.  You  don't have to worry about eternity.  Your soul is safe from danger.  

    When you are afraid or need courage to face something that feel impossible, turn to God.  Pray over it.  Lean into the relationship.  Trust Him to protect and guide your through this.  Remember all the times He has kept you from failing or falling, so you can proceed in confidence.  When you embrace this promise you are able to praise God through what is going on.  The hard parts don't last forever.

    You can start using the benefits of your salvation now.  You don't need to wait until you get to Heaven.  You can be solid an secure in aspects of life.  Your faith will empower you to live like Jesus.  You can do more than you think you can.  You can help other people even when you don't think you have anything to give.  Trust God and He will direct you.  He is going through it all with you, so embrace the joy of life and live with integrity honoring God.  Follow Him in love and you will see victory.

Exodus 15:2, Psalm 27:1, 62:2-6, 84:11, 118:14-21, Isaiah 12:2, 60:19-20, & Micah 7:8 

God's Promise: Comforting Guide

 

""Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." Psalm 23:4

    This promise from God is to guide you in the darkest, scariest, and deepest darkness of life.  Hard times come.  Life has painful moments.  There is danger in life, but you do not have to be afraid.  God is with you.  He is fighting for you.  He will guide you through it to safety.  

    In this promise God is described as a shepherd.  A shepherd has a rod and staff to guide and protect his sheep.  People are often compared to sheep in the Bible because people are prone to make bad decision after bad decision.  God is good.  He is patient.  He keep saving your from yourself.

    When you are afraid and feel like darkness will overtake you remember that God is there. When you think death is knocking at your door you do not have to be afraid.  God can remove death's presence, but eventually everyone dies.  You do not have to be afraid of death.  Believe in Jesus, repent your sins, follow Jesus in devoted love and you will have eternal protection.  You will be with God when your body dies.  

    Job is a great example of this promise.  He went through more than most people can comprehend, but he never rejected God.  Once he got through it he was blessed more than what he was before.  He found comfort for sticking with his convictions and never giving in to other people's opinions over the truth.  Same with David.  He started as a shepherd and became the greatest human king in history.  

    It is always darkest before the light comes.  When you are healing it always hurts most before you get better and normally stronger.  The darkness allow you to feel like you can do anything and no one will ever find out.  God sees all.  He knows all.  You are not doing anything in secret.  The darkness can also be scary.  God is there to bring the light.  You do not need to be scared.  Don't try to understand the darkness.  Seek to understand God, so you can find the light.

    When you embrace this promise of God, you are able to hold onto a carefree like attitude of gratitude for what God does in your life.  You get to embrace a piece of Heaven on Earth.  You do not need to doubt that God will provide for your needs here and now.  Your cup will overflow with blessings if you allow God to work in your life.  The best part is you will have a peaceful relationship with God because you are not fighting Him.  That relationship is an endless well of comfort and guidance.    

Jobs 3:5, 10:21-22, 24:17, Psalm 3:6, 23:4, 27:1, 44:19, 118:6, & Isaiah 43:2