F4S: Got A "Promise Question" For You..And A Few Others Too

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Got A "Promise Question" For You..And A Few Others Too

How is the weather there where you live?

We had quite a bit of rain and snow in Dallas today. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! Oh yes; do love to see it. In fact it's still coming down outside.

Kinda makes me think of a wonderful promise for us that's found in Isaiah which says, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it" (Read 55:6-11). I love that one and this is a great time of the year to memorize verses and even Bible promises! Besides, it's just easier to witness to unbelievers if you know some of the basic Bible stuff by heart (try out loud verbal repetition, it works).

Do you remember when Sarah conceived and bore ole Abraham a son? It was when they were both too old, but it was at the set time of which God had spoken to him. Read Genesis 21:2. Well, when people promise things to us, we often wonder if they will flake out because we've all been let down by man. Who hasn't been disappointed by some well meaning individual who simply failed to keep a firm commitment? And the more we see this happen, the less trust we have and the greater the sadness we feel inside.

Do you ever run into folks who believe that God is like that too and doesn't keep His promises? I see it every single week. This is an attitude that can creep into their minds; it subtly develops over a period of time.

You surely remember when God made a promise to Abraham saying, "I will make you a great nation" (Gen. 12:2). Well that was very gracious and all, but then twenty five years passed until Abe actually saw this son of promise, Isaac (see 21:5). To me that's pretty long, but not to God. He is outside of time so we must be patient.

Abraham basically questioned God about what was taking Him so long and I would feel like that too I guess (see 15:2), and then sadly Abe even tried to help God out by taking things into his own hands. You recall how he resorted to having a son through his bride's handmaiden (see 16:15). That's the simple reason why we have the Arab Israeli conflict to this day.

Never try to help God fulfill his promise to you. But after all the wavering, God did come through for Abe and he was one happy father. Why? Because God always keeps His promises.

"Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God." ~ Carter

All of God's promises are backed by His wisdom, love, and power.

Got a couple basic questions for you. Are you up for this? Do ya personally believe the Bible..enough to do what it teaches..enough to claim some promises in there? Ok here's another question for you. Exactly how many promises from God are in the Bible? How many can you personally claim / can Israel claim / can any Gentile claim?   

A week ago at Stonebriar in Frisco Texas the fearless leader there, Chuck Swindoll, told us how Time Magazine once published that there were 14464 promises in the Bible.

Interesting huh.

Of course not all Bible promises are for us Gentiles to claim, but hey, that's a whole lot of promises huh. FYI: Chuck wasn't quite sure if this was accurate though, that's why I'm asking you ..if you have a few minutes to search.. how many are there? There's an "old legend" I guess you could call it, that states there are 30,000 promises in the Bible, but that's simply off.

According to Schoolteacher Everek Storms who lives in Kitchener, Ontario ..who has read through God's Book over 27 times it's different that that figure. Everek actually came up with 7,487 promises from God to man in the Bible. Yes, two by God the Father to God the Son, 991 by one man to another (such as the servants who promised to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream), 290 by man to God, e.g., "O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise" (Psalms 51:15).

Twenty-eight Bible promises were made by angels, one by man to an angel, and two were made by an evil spirit to the Lord. Satan made nine, as when he promised the world to Christ "if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (to which Christ answered: "Get thee hence, Satan"). Grand total of promises: 8,810. What do you think? One News channel says…

"Thirty six percent of Americans believe that the Bible is the word of God and is to be taken literally." ~ CNN Poll

"When we claim one of God's promises in the Bible, whether it is for peace of mind, courage, or provision of our needs, we place ourselves in His hands and on His schedule. As we wait, it may at times seem as if the Lord has forgotten us. But trust embraces the reality that when we stand on a promise of God, He remains faithful. The assurance is in our hearts, and the timing is in His hands." ~ David C. McCasland

The important thing to remember is that as we continue to seek the Promise-er and His direct will and even claim by faith the promises that apply to where we are, we are blessed. Do you want to become a participant with this Triune being and His divine nature? Not saying that you will become divine, but do see what Peter has to say. Do you want get away from all the lust and corruption of this world? Then daily take heed to God's priceless promises in holy fear. Yes, check out what Pete said about em.. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet. 1:1-4).

Know how many there are? Better yet; want to take advantage of God's promise of eternal life right now? He doesn't have a better promise. What are you waiting for?