We have all suffered from broken promises. They may have been made by politicians before an election. Few of such promises have been kept. Perhaps employers, or friends, have not kept their promises to us. Most painfully of all, sometimes our relatives have let us down.
Thankfully, God does not behave like that. He is "abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). He will keep all His promises. Because He knows everything and controls the universe, His promises cannot fail.
God has made many promises. Here are just a few of them:
God confirmed these promises about Jesus to Mary, his mother, by an angel: "The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David … and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32, 33).
God has made many more promises in the Bible. However, we have looked at enough to show that God is serious about His future plans for the earth, and for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Jesus and the Jews.
God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that Israel would become a great nation, has been kept. God also kept His promise to the Jews that they will never die out, in spite of terrible persecutions. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, exactly as God promised.
However, God still has many important promises to keep.
We know this for two very good reasons:
Abraham has not yet inherited the land of Israel for an everlasting possession. Nor have all nations on the earth yet been blessed in Abraham. Hebrews 11:13 says Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all "died in faith, not having received the promises.”
Is it too late, then? No. God will raise them from the dead, just as He raised Jesus. God will then keep His promises to them. Jesus himself said that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be in God’s kingdom (Luke 13:28).
Jesus has not yet become king, sitting upon the throne of David. But he will, when he returns to the earth (Acts 3:19-21).
The Jews still exist as a nation. They are back in Israel, the land God promised Abraham. This is the first phase of God’s developing plan for them, because, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock” (Jeremiah 31:10).
After a time of trial, the Jews will receive God’s promised blessing: "They shall be my people, and I will be their God.” In that day, "One king (Jesus) shall be king over them all” (Ezekiel 37:22,23).
Yes, He has—if you are prepared to do two important things:
If you do these things, what has God promised you? A share in all the blessings you have just read about. For, "There is neither Jew nor Greek … slave nor free … male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Imagine it! God has promised that you can be raised from the dead. You can have everlasting life. You can live for ever with Jesus in His kingdom. No greater promises will ever be made to you.
For true believers, life today is a great joy. These precious promises give peace of mind now. This hope is "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).
God invites you to share in the greatest promises ever made. To receive the blessings, you must "fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Do that, and by God’s mercy you will live forever. That’s a promise!