WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 5, 2022
TOPIC: HOLD ON TO THE PROMISES OF GOD
BY T. O. BANSO
âFor all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through usâ (2 Corinthians 1:20 New King James Version).
There are several promises of God in the Bible. Some have said there are over 7,000. In addition to Godâs promises in the Bible, many of which the children of God can claim, God could also make specific promises to each of His children.
One of the truths in the Bible is that the promises of God will surely be fulfilled. Many of His promises have been fulfilled and there should be no reason to doubt that the rest will not become a reality. Psalm 18:30b says, âAll the LORD’s promises prove trueâ (New Living Translation).
Numbers 23:19 says, âGod is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?â (New King James Version). Paul says God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
The prophet Samuel says the Strength/Glory of Israel (God) will not lie or relent (1 Samuel 15:29a). If God has made a promise to you, He will keep it. He will fulfil His promises. He says He is the Lord; He does not change (Malachi 3:6a). He is the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17b).
2 Corinthians 1:20 says, âFor all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through usâ ( New King James Version). The Amplified Bible puts it thus: âFor as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] ‘Yes.’ So through Him we say our ‘Amen’ to the glory of God.â
Despite these assurances in the Bible, many people still doubt if Godâs promises will come to pass in their lives or in the lives of others. The promises of God may sound incredible to you or you may have waited in faith for quite some time but you’re yet to see their fulfillment, especially in your life. You should never doubt their authenticity or fulfilment.
You may not know how His promises will be fulfilled, but never disbelieve Him or His promises. Have faith in God (Mark 11:22). Don’t cast away your confidence, which has great reward (Hebrews 10:35). Donât throw away your confidence in God and His Word. Heaven and earth shall pass away but His words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). God is not a liar; He will do what He says He will do.
Indeed, sometimes your condition may be the opposite of the promises of God you’re waiting for their fulfilment. After a long wait, you may conclude that His promises will no longer be fulfilled. Donât abandon or reject His promises. Hold on to them. Remember His promises and confess them.
Donât waver at the promises of God even when you think their fulfilment is being delayed. God told Habakkuk, âBut these things I plan wonât happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!â (Habakkuk 2:3 The Living Bible).
God cannot lie but His thoughts could be completely different from yours and His ways are far beyond anything you can imagine (Isaiah 55:8). His time is different from yours, so when you think God is late; He is waiting for the right time. At the appointed time of God, His promises will be fulfilled. Keep praying and thanking Him.
Donât join those who abandoned the promises of God and moved on without Him. They devised their ways and kindled their own light. Avoid this temptation of providing âanswersâ to your prayer in your own way. Donât kindle your light; donât surround yourself with sparks. Wait for Godâs light. âWho among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon his Godâ (Isaiah 50:10 New King James Version).
Verse 11 says, âLook, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled â This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in tormentâ (New King James Version).
Abraham and Sarah kindled their fire after waiting for Godâs promises for many years, which led to the birth of Ishmael to Abraham by Sarahâs Egyptian handmaid, Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16). Eventually, after twenty-five years, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7). But the world is still suffering today from the consequences of the mistake of Abraham and Sarah with regard to Ishmael. Donât kindle your own light. Follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12).
Donât listen to Satan’s lie to forget about the promises of God and take the alternatives he offers. Hold on to the promises of God. Donât let go of them. Donât throw away Godâs promises. Donât give up on God and His promises. Keep reminding yourself of God’s promises despite the contrary evidence you have. Put His promises in your mouth. Confess them. Speak the promises of God you believe (2 Corinthians 4:13). The psalmist says, âI will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him I will trust’â (Psalm 91:2 New King James Version).
Hold on to the promises of God. Wait upon the Lord. Those who wait for God shall not be ashamed. Donât walk by your feelings; walk by faith. âFor we walk by faith, not by sightâ (2 Corinthians 5:7 New King James Version). Your negative feelings are inferior to the promises of God. Hold on to the promises of God. Pray His promises into your life. Obey whatever instructions God gives you as you pray. Do your part; God will do His. At the right time, God will perform His promises. Hold on to God’s promises.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, forgive me for not holding on to Your promises as I should. Holy Spirit, help me to hold on to the promises of God henceforth, no matter what. Help me to have faith in God and believe, meditate on, confess, and wait for the fulfillment of His promises. I shall not kindle my own fire but wait for God to give me light. I pray that everyone, who because of a long wait for the promises of God has quit, will repent and return to God today.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
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