God's Promise: Hope

 

"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." (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you , Says the Lord;  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)

Jeremiah 29:11

    The promise of hope and future are not a promise of an easy life.  You have to face consequences for the decisions you make in life.  This promise was that God was going to allow His people to face the consequences for 70 years in excile, but He would not forget about them. When the time was up, He would return them to the promised land.  The promise went a lot further than that though.  This promise was that God would send Jesus to be the eternal hope for every generation and all people.  God's character revealed here is his unchanging nature, sovereignty, compassion, and love.

    This hope is reassurance that things will not always be status quo or bad.  You will have good in life and perfection in eternal life if you choose to walk your life in faith with Jesus.  God's punishment is for direction and clarification when you go off path.  It is an act of love, not hate or display of power.  It is for your good.  It always benefits you in the long run.  

    While you wait on your promised land, do not sit around and literally wait.  Go out and live your life.  It is a gift, but live it righteously.  Walk with Jesus and tell the world about the most important relationship you have without shame.  Live life like you are already in the promised land because you have confidence that God will keep his word and provide it for you.  It will make the bad days a little more bearable.  

    Following Jesus is not always easy.  Having your eyes opened to the truth adds layers to your life, but it can be hard when not everyone see what God is offering like you do.  Being a Christians will not get you out of financial dept.  It frees you from the dept of sin, but you still live in this world and have to deal with the choices you make.  Following Jesus does not always heal you physically on Earth, but it will in Heaven.  

    Embrace where you are at and look for ways that God can use it now.  Life is hard, but it is also beautiful.  Don't focus on the hard, focus on all the things God is doing in your life and the direction He is leading.  Trust that Jesus will restore you when the time is right.  His plan it to bring you peace, not evil, but sometimes you have to go through some stuff to get there. When it is hard hold onto your hope for the future.  Hold onto that hope and allow the Holy Spirit fill you with joy and peace of your salvation.

Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 29:10-14, Romans 15:13, Hebrews 6:9

God's Promise: Holy Spirit

 

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1 NIV

    The Promise of the Holy Spirit is a promise to have an eternal connection with God.  The Holy Spirit is not only a gift, but an anointing to go out and tell the world the gift that God has given you.  The gift of salvation is called the "Good News".  No matter what God's path is for you, it always is leading you to share the "Good News" and headed toward eternity with Him.  All you have to do is accept His gift and allow the Holy Spirit to live in you.  The Holy Spirit is your seal of salvation that can never be removed.

    In Isaiah 61:1 the Greek references healing the blind.  It is talking about the spiritually blind.  In English we reference it as the Holy Spirit providing comfort when your heart is broken, release from bondage or being captive to sin, and being a freed prisoner.  It was talking about God's people being captivity.  It would not last forever, but it is also talking to you today.  Whatever sin has put you in bondage, you can get free.  You do not have to live your life pushing God away.  You can have eternity in His presence.  You can be close to Him now and for eternity.

    The Holy Spirit anoints you when He moves in and joins your soul.  He is healing your from the inside while you work in actions.  This is His anointing placed upon your life.  God help the people you can help.  Work to be kind and tell people the truth in love instead of being nice.  Do things to make people's lives better, but not so you will benefit.  Do it out of love that the Holy Spirit pours into you, so you can pour it out onto other people to ease their pain or bring them comfort.  

    Live out your freedom showing people how to become free.  Show people how to break their bondage.  Show them how to have joy in their lives.  Be a person that helps people find healing instead of causing more wounds and scars.  The truth can hurt when you first receive it, but if you accept it, then it brings healing and can even remove scars.  It just has to clean out what is causing the infection that is slowly killing you first.  

    The Holy Spirit will give you comfort, so you can comfort.  He will give you rest, so you can show others how to rest.  He will give you wisdom and understanding to handle situations.  Allow Him to counsel you so you can counsel other people.  He will give you the strength to follow through on your calling.  He will give you the knowledge you need to combat fear.  Trust God and the Holy Spirit will lead you to victory.  

Psalm 45:7, 147:3, Isaiah 11:2, 42:7, 57:15, 61:1, Jeremiah 34:8,  Luke 4:18, & John 1:32, 3:34

God's Promise: Freedom

 

"this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you.  Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people."  Isaiah 58:6

    This is a promise of freedom, but it is conditional.  It requires faith, prayer, and fasting.  God provided the ritual of denying yourself to focus on prayer so that people could pursue Him in times of need, difficulty, or growth.  It was never meant to become a ritual to show how good you are as a "Christian".  

    The point of fasting is to get closer to God, but it also comes with many different types of perks.  The problem is that some people remove God from the process in hopes to just have the perks.  You focus on your relationship with God and who you are with Him.  Your prayers will be answered, but there are other benefits too.  You may look younger, become healthier, get more energy, and find wisdom that leads to freedom.

    The promise is conditional because you have to do your part to discover the freedom that comes with salvation.  As your eyes open to the truth you have to make changes in your life to maintain your freedom.  It does not mean you will be free from every type of oppression or discomfort.  It is a spiritual and sometimes healing kind of freedom.  It is freedom from the constraints of the world that say you have to be a certain way or live a certain way to be worthy, happy, or a person that matters.  

    Fasting looses the hold that evil has in your life.  It leads to a closer relationship with God.  You become more self-disciplined, so you are able to focus on your relationship with God as a decision.  It leads to patience and enables you to endure in life because you know what you have no one can take from you.  It build stronger character because you discover the value of it. The burdens of wickedness are removed as you desire to live your life with God.  Once you obtain this freedom, then you should want to help other people discover it.

    The promise of freedom comes with a command and laying out His expectations, so that when you worship Him you discover freedom.  Freedom always cost something.  Jesus paid that cost, so you can be a Christian and inherit a level of freedom.  The freedom become powerful when you learn to fast, pray, and dig into His Word.  The freedom helps you uphold justice, remove burdens yourself enabling you to identify them, and withstand being broken by oppression.  God's light lives in His people, so you can find the way through, find healing, and protect righteousness.  Freedom exist in faith.

Nehemiah 5:10-12, Isaiah 58:5-8, Jeremiah 22:3, 34:9, Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:9-10, Luke 4:18, James 2:15-16, & 1 John 3:17-18

God's Promise: Compassion

 

"10 The mountains may shift, and the hills may be shaken, but my faithful love won’t shift from you, and my covenant of peace won’t be shaken, says the Lord, the one who pities you.  11 Suffering one, storm-tossed, uncomforted, look, I am setting your gemstones in silvery metal and your foundations with sapphires.  12 I will make your towers of rubies, and your gates of beryl, and all your walls of precious jewels.  13 All your children will be disciples of the Lord—I will make peace abound for your children.  14 You will be firmly founded in righteousness.  You will stay far from oppression because you won’t fear, far from terror because it won’t come near you.  15 If anyone attacks you, it’s none of my doing.  Whoever attacks you will fall because of you.  16 Look, I myself created the metalworker who blows the fire of coal and who produces a tool for his work.  And I myself created the looter to destroy.  17 No weapon fashioned against you will succeed, and you may condemn every tongue that disputes with you.  This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, whose righteousness comes from me, says the Lord."  Isaiah 54:10-17 CEB

    This is a promise of compassion.  If you are a child of God it doesn't matter what happens.  God's love for you covers you in compassion.  His compassion gives you all the treasure you need.  It covers you in righteousness.  God's love is faithful.  It never stops.  It never holds back.  It will never break, so you know that His compassion is steadfast too.

    God is the foundation for your soul's peace.  He is the foundation of your life to have purpose and to be able to live in the kind of love you need.  This foundation gives you the ability to live wisely.  When you live in God's wisdom you are able to hold onto peace.  The ability to not live in terror is an example of God's compassion.  Him fighting for you is compassion.  

    God making you an eternal home with Him is compassion.  It is compassionate to allow eternity of peace instead of torment, but this compassion is circumstantial.  You have to believe, live in faith, and follow Jesus to have this compassion.  To reject the truth means that you choose eternity separated from God in an eternity of destruction and fire.  You have free will, but if you choose to follow worldly desires over God, then that passion will lead you to an eternity in the pit of fire.  That may not feel like compassion, but it is for those who sacrifice everything to follow Jesus.  It allows them to have eternity of peace, victory, and vindication.   

    The promise of compassion is a promise to comfort, restore, and protect His people.  It is extended to every living person, but it is your choice if you receive it or not.  It is a promise of unfailing love.  God's compassion is kindness. that will not depart you.  It is His mercy displayed every day.  He is your strength to face each day with confidence and self-control. 

    This is a promise that one day you will no longer face oppression, fear, conflict, or terror.  You will no longer have to accept horrible things as a part of life and everything you did experience will disappear.  God's compassion comfort will make it as if it never happened.  It will be an eternity of beauty, peace, and a close relationship with God.  He will destroy all that caused havoc in the world.  It will happen.  

1 Chronicles 29:2, Psalm 46:2, 89:33-34, Isaiah 45:24-25, 51:6, 54:10-17, Matthew 5:18, John 6:45, & Revelations 21:18

God's Promise: I am with You

 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." NIV

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." NLT

Isaiah 43:2

    This promise that God will be with you is powerful.  He knows that living in the fallen world and following Jesus will be hard.  He understands that choosing to follow Jesus brings oppression and hardship into your life.  God promises that trials and tribulations will come upon His people, but He is in the worst of it with you.  He will not leave you to face this world alone.

    God does not give you the extra burden, but He doesn't take it away immediately either.  He allows it for your own good.  God knows all things including how you will react, but you don't know how you will react until you are under pressure.  He allows it so you will learn more about yourself and how He is there in it with you.

    Water is hard to move through, especially if you are going against the current.  Your muscles can get tired easily.  Satan and his world is the current you are moving against.  God knows you can't do it on your own, so He is promising to swim in stride with you.  He is there to help you when you can't go any further.  He will not let you drown.  Water is nice, but it can also be dangerous.  That is life.  It is full of beauty, joy, and excitement, but it is also dangerous.  

    The fires of oppression is accurate.  Oppression is intense.  It is pressure that you may not be able to identify.  It adds heat that makes you uncomfortable.  This is where God is working.  You may feel the heat.  You may be getting burned a little, but the flames are not touching you.  He will not allow Satan's fire to consume His people.  He is standing between you and the worst of it.  Satan brings the chaos and God brings the calm.  Satan brings duress and God brings comfort.

    This promise should give you comfort because you know you are not facing life's most difficult parts alone.  You can embrace the protection that you are getting with gratitude to help you endure the parts that you are dealing with.  You can lean into God to make this season easier.  It is only a season.  It will not last forever.  The bad seasons may come more often than you like, but realize that God is preparing you for something bigger than yourself. 

    This is a promise made in love.  Allow that love to fill you and heal all the broken places, so that it can make you strong.  God told you to be strong and courageous, but you will never be able to do that if you don't accept His love and the healing that it brings.  You have to believe that He will be there when He says He will be.  You have to believe the promise Jesus and follow him no matter where it may lead.  You have to believe that your soul is protected even if the journey is hard.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Psalm 66:12, 91:3, Isaiah 43:2, & Daniel 2:25-27

God's Promise: Be Your God

 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am Yahweh Shammah.  Elohei Mauzzi will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated.  Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing.  You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you.  Those who attack you will come to nothing.  For I hold you by your right hand-I, the Lord your God.  And I say to you, Don't be afraid.  I am here with you."  Isaiah 41:10-13

    The promise God made to be your God covers many things like giving you strength, being present, and protection.  He does not abandon His family (His people).  This promise is meant to be a comfort.  You choose to have a relationship with God and He will take care of you in every single situation.  

    If He feels far away, He is not.  Pray over and look into your life in the areas where things are not working.  It normally has to do with decisions you made or sin in your lifestyle.  Other times it could be God is pruning or preparing you for something.

    God is there.  He is prepared to give you what you need to work, worship, and honor Him in your life.  You need strength, then ask for it.   Sometimes it will come supernaturally to take care of a particular event or situation.  Other times, God will work your faith to make you stronger like a coach works his team.  

    God will not put you in dangerous situations without having an escape route.  He puts you in places that make you uncomfortable to help you grow and to serve His long term purpose.  It is an honor to be able to be a part of His plan even if you don't understand what it is all the time.  

    The more you understand who God is, the better you can understand your identity in Him.  He commands you not to be afraid not because life isn't scary, but because He wants you to trust Him and see how He is working in and around your life.  He wants you to choose to have a personal relationship with Him that provides safety, comfort, and security in your soul.  

    God knows that life gets overwhelming, but He wants you to lean on Him as He gets you through it.  Trust Him not to allow you to fall or fail if you obey Him as the Holy Spirit guides you through all of life.  No matter how powerful the enemy may appear, God is more powerful.  He will defeat anything that comes against you because they are coming against Him and His family.  To go to war against God's people is to go to war against God Himself because you are His redeemed.  You are His family.  

    God will keep you from shame, disgrace, or destruction.  You only need to understand what God considers to be shameful,  Society may tell you that something is shameful, but God may be removing things that are holding you back.  Consider and pray over the context.  Compare what the world is telling you to what God is telling you in His Word.  Listen to Him about what your value is in this world.

Exodus 23:22, Isaiah 41:10-14, 45:24, 60:12, & Zechariah 12:3

God's Promise: Renewed Strength

 

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak abd tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will sour high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)

    The promise God provides is that even if you get weary, He will provide the people that follow Him the strength to keep going.  It is more than that.  He promises you to feel younger than you are to be able to endure and it not be hard at times.  The strength that God gives you is powerful.  If you refuse to follow Him in faith, then you will grow weary and give up over time no matter how young you may be.

    There is no end to God's power.  When He lays just a little upon you will feel like you will never be weak, tired, weary, or touched by evil again.  If you rely upon your own strength, then you will find out what your limits are quickly.  You can not succeed in the long game without God.  You have to put your trust in Him and His plans for your life.  

    This is encouraging because you can access His strength at any time.  You do not have to rely on your limited strength, knowledge, or wisdom.  He will give you what you need.  He will give it to you as much as you need it to fulfill your purpose in this world.  A season of waiting is not a punishment.  It is an opportunity to get strong and prepare for what is to come.  A season of rest is a gift to make you stronger.  When you work with God you can do anything, even wait.

    When you feel like you have nothing left to give turn all those feelings over to God.  Pray for rest, the cobwebs to be cleared, and how to move forward.  There is no need to keep pushing forward.  It will only cause more harm than good to you and your ministry.  You have to rely on God and take direction from the Holy Spirit as it is given to you to avoid burnout.  It can take years to recover from burnout, so avoid it when you can.  Allow God's peace to work within you.

Psalm 29:11, 103:5, 138:3, Isaiah 40:29-31, Lamentations 3:25-27, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, & Philippians 4:13

God's Promise: Steadfast Mind

 

"You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you." Isaiah 26:3 (CSB)

    This is a promise that you if you trust God, then you will have a steadfast mind.  This means you can hold onto your inner peace no matter what is going on around you.  You understand that God is in control and it does not benefit anyone to get all worked up and loose your peace over what you can't control anyway.  It is a steadfast mind focused on God that keeps you in a state of peace.  

    Trust is being dependent on God.  When your mind is fixed on God, then it becomes steadfast.  You are propped up by Him when you can't do it anymore on your own.  You don't experience the same kind of burnout because you stay in your lane.  You know what you job or purpose is and you let God handle everything else.  You don't get too caught up in the details because they can change or that was never under your control in the first place.  You trust God to do His job perfectly, so you can rest in knowing you are doing your part.  

    Prefect trust in God provides Shalom (perfect peace).  You have perfect peace because God is your everlasting foundation that will not break or shift.  You are safe with Him.  This peace gives you the freedom to problem solve, be creative, praise God, use your imagination, and more.  It frees you from living in a box, even a self made box.  God will never fit in a box.  That means that His children do not fit into a box either.  You have depth.  Free yourself to explore who God wants you to be to the fullest.  

    You never need to doubt your relationship with God.  You never need to doubt your salvation.  Worship God freely and openly for all He does for you.  When you sin, repent and get back in step with Jesus.  Listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  He will push you well out of your comfort zone, but he will never lead you astray.  God wants you to be all you can be.  You need the mental freedom that comes from a steadfast mind to achieve that.

Isaiah 26:1-9 & 57:9

God's Promise: Wisdom in Parenting

 

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6

    God promises you wisdom in raising your children if you lean into him like a trusting child.  This promise is rooted in instruction.  If you want to have children that will grow up being respected and valuable members of society and the church, then you have to lead and instruct them.  Children learn more by observing than the lectures.  Talk to them about God, but living your life for God will teach them more. You are the most important teacher that your children will ever have.

    The promise is that your children may go through phases that make you question things, but if you do your job as a parent then God will handle everything else.  You can trust Him and give all your worry and concern about who they will be to Him.  No matter how hard you try to make them be a certain kind of person, they have their own free will.  You should not try to break that.  Teach them and let them become who they will be.  Their relationship with God is between them and God.  You have to choose to focus on your relationship with God when you are scared, angry, or hurt by your children.

    Train up your children and God will watch over them.  It take a tremendous amount of trust to be able to give them back over to God.  Do your best and forgive yourself over what you cannot change.  Trust that God is using everything in their lives including your mistakes.  Love them the best you can like God loves them,  Cherish your time with them, but let them become their own person.  Dedicate your children to God, so you can allow Him to mold them in the person He created them to be.

    Each child is different.  Your parenting style needs to be specific for the each child.  God created everyone to make the world more dynamic.  It may make parenting harder at times, but keep imagining the kind of person they may become.  Prepare them to face the world but at the same time lean on God.  Do not do them the disservice in keeping them naive where anyone can influence them and lead them astray.  Do your part, allow God to do His part, and allow the child become an adult responsible for their part in becoming a Christian and good member of society.  Lead them to the truth.  It is up to them to believe and follow.

Proverbs 22:6, Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 6:4, & 2 Timothy 3:15

God's Promise: Financial Wisdom

 

"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."  ESV

"Dishonest money dwindles away, bur whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow" NIV

"Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time." NLT

"Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it." CSB

Proverbs 13:11

    I put the scripture up four times because finances are important to God.  They can easily replace Him on the throne if we allow them to.  When you read it over and over with different wording it can give you a better overview of what God is trying to say to you.  The promise to financial wisdom is unconditional.  The only condition is that you have to trust Him with your finances and helping you grow to be able to utilize this promise.

    The promise of financial wisdom is simple.  If you try to get money dishonestly or quickly, then you will lose it just as quickly.  If you do it dishonestly, then you could lose a lot more than just the money.  You could lose your life or freedom too.  If you work for your money, then wealth take a lot longer and depends on you being willing to give up something you want today to save for what you want in the future.  Honest hard work is good for the soul, mind, and your wallet.

    To sum it up shortcuts do not get you to your destination any faster or it makes it temporary.  God will not honor fraud, vanity, or scheming.  This lacks a foundation built on God and will disappear.  Do not be Jones looking around at everything other people have.  You don't have the full story.  Fraud is futile because you can't deceive God.  He will always know what you did.  It brings no substance to your life.  

    Find contentment in what you have and where you are in your journey with God.  You can have honorable pride in working for what you have.  It is a part of your purpose in this world.  If you build with God, then you are building your finances, but also builds character, faith, righteousness, and self-discipline.  This is where your wisdom develops and grows.  

Proverbs 10:2, 13:11, & 20:21

God's Promise: Understanding

 

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

    The promise of about understanding comes from Proverbs a book on wisdom.  It is the only book where you can take one or two verses and not need context behind them.  You read them, say them, and pray over them for understanding.

    This promise is conditional.  You have to let go of the death grip control over you life and trust God.  He sees the big picture while your perspective is limited.  If you choose to trust God in every area of your life, then you will find direction, wisdom, and purpose.  He is trying to give it to you unconditionally, but you have to accept it to actually obtain it.  You are what makes this promise conditional.

    Trusting God with all your mind, heart, and soul removes so much stress and confusion from your life.  It makes you more confident and secure because you know He is in control and will not let your fall.  God gave you a mind to grow in learning and wisdom.  You are meant to use your mind, but not to be so rational that you push God and His direction aside.  It is a difficult spiritual battle to desire control and wanting to allow God to have control when life is confusing, hard, or you are hurting.  You have to make that choice for yourself daily, sometimes hourly.

    When you submit to God you are acknowledging His divine power over your life.  He needs to be a part of every aspect of your life for you to find peace, wisdom, and comfort.  You need Him in your daily life.  You need Him in your decision making process.  You need Him to influence your routine and relationships.  He will not guide you in the wrong direction.  He will provide clarity in your journey even if He may not lay out every step of the way for you.  Trust God's way and you will get what your heart truly desires in and after life.

1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 37:3-4, Proverbs 3:5-6, & Jeremiah 9:23-24, 10:23

God's Promise: Protection

 

"I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.  Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.  The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.  The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.  The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."  Psalm 121

    The promise to watch over you is not a casual promise.  God is the source of help.  He is constant and vigilant in protecting His people.  He does not sleep, so that you can.  God never sleeps.  He does not need to. His body doesn't need the healing and restoration that comes from sleep.  He made you and knows how you do need sleep, so He tries to comfort you so you can rest.

    God is your defense and camouflage when you need to be hidden from evil.  He will hide you and then fight for you.  He does not just preserve your life.  If you choose the gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus, then He protects your soul for eternity.  He is guarding you and protecting you every step you take in life.

    This is a promise from God to you to be your personal keeper and protector.  The author is unknown, so you do not know how God moved in his life to write this psalm.  The word it was based on was shamar which means "guard, keep, protect, observe".  What you do know is that God made you a personal promise of assurance of your soul's safety.  You can walk through all kinds of danger and it not affect you because God took care of it during your journey with Him.  Trust God and there is no reason to fear evil.

Deuteronomy 28:6, 1 Samuel 2:9, Psalm 16:8, 41:2, 91:5, 97:10, 109:31, 121, 124:8, 127:1, 145:20, Proverbs 2:8, 3:23-26, Isaiah 25:4, 27:3, 49:10, Jeremiah 3:23, & Revelations 7:16

God's Promise: Rescue from Evil

 

    El Elyon promises to protect you from every kind of evil if you are not determined to go after it.  Satan has hidden traps to make you fall or worse.  His goal is to silence all true Christians or make them so much like the world that they have no impact for God's kingdom.  If you walk with Jesus, then God will guide you around the evil traps.  He will reveal deceit and unseen dangers.  He will protect you from deadly diseases or plagues.  

    God provides spiritual armor to protect you from all kinds of evil.  It is your job to be prepared for Satan's attacks.  God covers and protects you, but you can't use the armor He has given you if you do not know how.  You have to spend time with God and build endurance to be able to use the full armor of God.  He has given you the truth in the Bible.  He gave your righteousness to protect your character's integrity.  He gave you peace to use the Gospel when attacked.  He gave you the shield of faith and helmet of salvation. He gave you the Holy Spirit to battle the unseen world.

    This promise was recorded in Psalms, so it is unknow who exactly recorded it.  It is believed to be written by Moses.  That means it is one of the first promises made to God's people.  It is meant to make you feel safe in the world especially when the world feels so unsafe.  This promise enables you to hold onto peace even when you face danger.  You may be helpless, but He is not.  God is your unseen shield protecting you because He loves you.

Psalm 17:8, 57:1, 61:4, 91:3-4, & 124:7

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