Question 1

How do I know God will keep his promises?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 9:12-17Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.” Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”God arranges the interactions between storm clouds and sunlight to create rainbows, which are a visible reminder of a promise and of a God who keeps his promises. Seeing a rainbow is frequently an awe inspiring sight, but for believers it should also remind us to think about God and how he is faithful to his promises.Numbers 23:19“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”Psalm 89:34-35No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. I have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness I cannot lie:Psalm 110:4The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow.Malachi 3:6“I am the Lord, and I do not change.”Titus 1:2This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.Hebrews 6:13-18For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.James 1:17-18Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.God’s promises are completely dependable and trustworthy because they are an expression of God’s own character. This can give us great comfort in the present, as well as assurance for the future. If the past and present verify God’s dependability, the future will certainly reveal his continued trustworthiness. God cannot lie; he is dependable. He not only created truth, he is truth. In other words, he is the source of all truth and all truth flows from him. If he is the source of truth, then it is impossible for him to lie, for lying is the opposite of truth.Romans 8:15-17So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.Ephesians 1:13-14Now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.God’s Holy Spirit is his personal guarantee that he keeps his promises. The promised Holy Spirit sent by God assures us of all the other promises God has made.Genesis 8:1God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede.Exodus 2:24-25God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.Exodus 6:3-5“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them. And I reaffirmed my covenant with them. Under its terms, I promised to give them the land of Canaan, where they were living as foreigners. You can be sure that I have heard the groans of the people of Israel, who are now slaves to the Egyptians. And I am well aware of my covenant with them.”Leviticus 26:45“For their sakes I will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of all the nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord.”2 Chronicles 6:14He [Solomon] prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.”Ezekiel 20:5“When I chose Israel—when I revealed myself to the descendants of Jacob in Egypt—I took a solemn oath that I, the Lord, would be their God.”God is committed to loving his people. When we love someone, we are truly committed to keeping our promises to them. When Scripture uses the phrase “God remembered,” the implication is not that he had forgotten and then suddenly recalled, but that he never forgot for a moment.Joshua 21:43-45So the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. . . . Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.Joshua 23:14-15“Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”1 Kings 8:56“Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.”2 Chronicles 6:15“You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.”Nehemiah 1:8-9“Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’”Psalm 89:3-4The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’”Psalm 105:8-11He [the Lord] always stands by his covenant—the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant: “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.”Zechariah 1:6“But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do.’”Luke 2:12, 16“And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” . . . They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.1 Corinthians 1:9God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Hebrews 11:32-40How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.God has a history of faithfully keeping his promises. Many of those promises came true over multiple generations. Enough promises have been fulfilled that even if we can think of some still incomplete, we can be assured that God has not forgotten. A faithful track record in the past assures the same track record in the future.

Question 2

What are some of the great promises of God?

Accepted Answer

John 3:16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 8:12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”John 11:25Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”Acts 16:31“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”Romans 1:16I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.God promises salvation to all who accept it. All the other promises of God, particularly those already fulfilled, bear witness to this one great offer in the gospel. Anyone who believes that Jesus died for their sins, then confesses those sins and is truly sorry for them, will be saved from the punishment they deserve. God looks at them as though they had never sinned, and will give them eternal life with him.Luke 24:49“Now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”John 14:15-17“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”Acts 2:33“Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.”Ephesians 1:13Now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.God promises to be with us forever in the personal presence of the Holy Spirit. The presence, work, fruit, and gifts of the Holy Spirit are all evidence of this kept promise.Exodus 3:12God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”Exodus 33:14The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”Joshua 1:9“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”Matthew 28:20“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Hebrews 13:5Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”God promises to be with us all the time. We can hold on to that promise especially in those times when our feelings, perceptions, and the enemy cause us to doubt God’s presence and power.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.God promises to forgive us whenever we do wrong, if we confess our sins to him. He promises that nothing we do is beyond the reach of God’s gracious forgiveness. But genuine confession cannot be a premeditated plan we put in place before we deliberately sin. That sort of confession isn’t genuine.Psalm 85:8I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.John 14:27“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”Romans 5:1Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.Philippians 4:6-9Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. . . . Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.God promises us peace of heart and mind when we fully trust him with our lives. He has promised his not-of-this-world peace to us, guaranteed by Jesus himself.Psalm 4:3, 7You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him. . . . You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.Psalm 16:11You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.Psalm 126:5Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.Psalm 132:16I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy.Isaiah 65:14My servants will sing for joy, but you will cry in sorrow and despair.John 16:22-24“So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.”God promises us his joy as we understand the significance of being his follower. The joy we experience in and through Christ will not be understandable to the world.Psalm 55:22Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.Psalm 62:1-2, 5I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. . . . Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.Psalm 91:1Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.Psalm 116:7Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”Hebrews 4:9-11So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest.1 Peter 5:7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.God promises to help us shoulder our burdens, but we must be willing to truly give them over to him. When we do, God promises rest for our souls. Others should be able to see the hope that permeates our lives.Genesis 50:20“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Romans 8:28We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.2 Corinthians 4:17Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!God promises to use even the bad things that happen to us for good purposes. This includes evil done to us by others, as Joseph’s life illustrates. His trust in God’s promises allowed him to step back from hardship and assume God was working behind the scenes, even when there was no obvious evidence.2 Peter 3:8-10You must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.God has promised that Jesus will come back to judge the world for its deeds. We may not understand his timing, but we will eventually realize that God did everything exactly as it should have been done.Isaiah 45:23“I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.”Habakkuk 2:14As the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.Romans 14:11The Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”Philippians 2:5-11You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.God has promised that in that final day the whole world will know of him and bow down before him. There will be universal acknowledgment, even by those who have rejected him, that Jesus is Lord.John 5:29“And they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.”John 11:25-26Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”1 Corinthians 15:50-57These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 4:14We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.1 Thessalonians 4:16The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.God has promised that all those who believe in him—living or dead—will be given new bodies that will never die.Revelation 21:4“He [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”God has promised eventual and eternal deliverance from all sorrow, suffering, and pain for all who believe in him.John 14:1-6“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”Hebrews 4:1-3God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. . . . For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.1 John 2:24-25So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.God’s promise of eternal life has a present application in the way we live now. Those who believe in Jesus are already marked by the Holy Spirit as heirs of God’s Kingdom, though still living in this life on earth. That reality should create a hopeful confidence in all who followers of Jesus.2 Timothy 1:1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.Titus 1:2This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.Hebrews 12:26-28When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.James 1:12God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.God has promise an eternal home in heaven for those who trust in Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord. The unshakeable Kingdom of God has been promised to all who believe; following death, it will become our everlasting possession.

Question 3

How should God’s promises impact my life?

Accepted Answer

Romans 4:18-21Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.Hebrews 6:18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.Hebrews 11:11It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.The trustworthiness of God gives us great comfort in the present and assurance for the future. When we are absolutely convinced that God is able to do anything he promises, then the troubles of this world are put in perspective.Zechariah 6:15People will come from distant lands to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And when this happens, you will know that my messages have been from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. All this will happen if you carefully obey what the Lord your God says.Acts 1:11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”2 Corinthians 7:1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.2 Peter 1:4Because of his [God’s] glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.God’s promises should prompt us to obedience, for we all want an eternal relationship with someone who will never fail us. The promise of Jesus’ imminent return also motivates us to live lives of obedience to God’s instructions.Luke 1:12-13Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”Anything God has promised is a sure thing; it is no longer uncertain. In Zechariah and Elizabeth’s case, the obstacles to fulfillment certainly seemed daunting, but God specializes in doing the impossible.Hebrews 6:18So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.When we vow or promise something, we call upon a higher power to hold us accountable. God keeps his vows and promises because he is God and can only act according to his character. We who are Christians find courage in God’s integrity. Our integrity is rooted in his. This reality is an anchor for our souls.Hebrews 10:23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.God’s promises sustain our hope because we can be sure his promises will be fulfilled.Hebrews 11:13All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.Great people of God died without seeing all God’s promises to them fulfilled, but they remained confident in God’s faithfulness. Faith in God’s promises does not require that we see all his promises fulfilled in our lifetime. God’s promises are sometimes fulfilled in heaven not earth, but each one of his promises will be fulfilled in his perfect timing.Acts 1:4-5Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”Hebrews 6:13-15For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.God’s promises help us patiently wait on the Lord. God’s promises bring us the most blessing when they happen according to his timetable.

Question 4

Are God’s promises really trustworthy?

Accepted Answer

Numbers 23:19“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”Joshua 23:14“Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”1 Kings 8:56“Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.”Psalm 92:12-15The godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”Luke 1:69-70“He [the Lord] has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.”God’s promises are completely trustworthy! People of genuine faith have always made it a point to publicly declare that trustworthiness. A promise from God is a down payment on the character of God. The promises of a perfect God cannot fail.

Question 5

Why does it sometimes seem as if God hasn’t fulfilled his promise?

Accepted Answer

2 Peter 3:8You must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.Because we are time-bound creatures, we find it almost impossible to see our circumstances from God’s perspective. He is not bound by time or by our schedules. Impatience is simply a reminder that our timing is not God’s timing, but his decisions to act are always perfectly timed.Habakkuk 2:3This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.God will fulfill his promises, but often his timetable is different from ours. We are called to wait and trust, confident in God’s truthfulness.

Promises of God