Do you know
how many God proclaimed promises there are written in the Bible? How about in
the New Testament? The truth is many Christians would find it difficult to
answer that question without doing some kind of web search. I was determined to
put myself to the challenge of recalling as many promises as I could. I started
with fervor, tapping the keyboard of my laptop in a continuous cadence for
several minutes. Scriptures were flying through my head and I was feeling good
about my recall. After a few minutes an occasional pause broke my rhythm and
soon the stream of scriptures slowed to a trickle. Ten minutes into the
challenge I was nearly dried up. After fifteen minutes I had a sound sixty-five
promises on my list!
You can
imagine my disappointment when I learned there were 250 promises in the New
Testament. The number triples to 750 if you count repeats. Most of the promises
are for the believer in Christ, but there are many for the non-believers also.
For example Jesus promises to those who acknowledge Him before man, He will
acknowledge them before His Father. But Jesus also promises that he will not acknowledge
those who do not acknowledge him before man, (Matt. 10:32). I find these numbers incredible,
especially considering these numbers only represent half of God’s written Word.
So, why
does it matter how many promises I can recall from the Bible? Because trying to
live the victorious Christian life without complete information is like trying
to finish a puzzle with half the
pieces missing. The designed finished product will be incomplete no matter how
efficiently I handle the ones I have. Each promise thereby represents an
important part of the big picture and our story. If these precious truths are
left unrealized how might the portrait of our life be effected? This question
actually unsettles me.
Author and
Speaker, Lisa Bevere challenges the believer to know well the numerous promises
the LORD has given us in His Word. Lisa emphasizes in her message Proverbs 3:3
which states;
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
The promise
we have from the LORD when we put this verse into practice is found in Proverbs 3:4;
“Then you
will win favor and a good name with God and man.”
The
principle then of learning these promises and believing them with all our
heart, mind and soul is that they will begin to determine our story. Our lives
will be infused with confidence and power because we trust what God says is
truth. Belief will produce resolve which will bring about action which results
in “favor with God and man,” (Proverbs 3:4).
Lisa poignantly
presents the promise of Proverbs 3:3-4; when we write the Word of God on our
heart we take control of writing out our life stories…and we write them well!
So how many
of God’s promises can you recall? Chances are there are some that have slipped
your mind. I’m resolved to accept Lisa’s challenge to begin writing God’s
promises on my heart. Won’t you join me? Not just transferring information from
the Bible to our heads, but accepting each promise as everlasting certainty.
For Jesus says “Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my Word will never pass
away”. Ladies that is a promise worth binding around our neck!
Tracy L. FrazierDirector/Founder The FOLD Ministry
Video Clip: Lisa Bevere: Writing the Future (Words of Life)
Worship Music Video: Sanctus Real: Promises
What is your favorite promise from God?
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