Standing on the promises.

Inquiring minds want to know: how many Bible promises are there? Well, like most questions it depends on who you ask. The actual number is debated. While one calculator says there are 3, 573, another boosts the number to 5,467, still another has counted 7,487, and another 8,810. Really , the number of them isn't such a big deal anyway. Obviously there's a sufficient number to cover just about every area of human experience. The really significant thing, beyond how many there are, is the sanctity and reliability of every last one. God's many promises bring strong foundations of certainty into the flux of life. Right now, with all of the unanswered questions about Covid-19, there are promises to steady the quaking path we're traveling. They guide and assure us when the question marks are prevailing.

Several Scriptural affirmations guarantee our reliance on God's promises at every juncture of this journey. Understand that my personal worldview acknowledges and accepts the authority and absolute truthfulness of Scripture---

Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel

had failed; all came to pass.

Joshua 21: 45, ESV

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we

utter our Amen to God for his glory.

2 Corinthians 1: 20, ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through

the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has

granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may

become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in

the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1: 3-4, ESV

By way of personal testimony, of the many promises in the Bible five have been particularly meaningful during my most challenging and trying life experiences. They are offered here with the Bible verse giving me that assurance, without comment---

1. The promise that he is always with me.

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139: 9-10, ESV

2. The promise that he hears my prayers.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

1 John 5: 14-15, ESV

3. The promise that God will provide for me.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 19, ESV

4. The promise that God knows my heart.

I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds

Jeremiah 17: 10, ESV

5. The promise that he will give me peace.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 7, ESV

The heading for these thoughts is the title of a favorite hymn. It may sound a little old hat but it does reflect the certainty of God's promises. Standing on the Promises, was written by Russell Kelso Carter in 1886. The lyrics are powerful and affirming. If you'd like to review them, click here.

It's true. Life can knock us down or blow us away. God's powerful promises give us courage and strength when we're worn thin by doubt and fear. Discover the certainty of God's promises so that when those times come, which they will, you will be standing on them. They are certainty in a universe of questions.

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