“O Sovereign LORD, you are God!
Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.”
2 Samuel 7:28 NIV
Today the garden is beautiful. I am at peace. God speaks to me in so many ways as I walk the garden paths and enjoy every species of flowers. In the garden of my heart the flowers know no season. You see tulips blooming in spring, summer, fall and winter. I imagine that the gardens in heaven will be that way as well. Everything blooming beautifully every day all for our pleasure! There will be no weeds to pull and no flowers to dead-head. Pruning for continued bloom will not be necessary. There will be nothing but beautiful gardens every day for all eternity. Enjoying my heart’s garden is all about the joy that Jesus has planted in my heart. Inward peace and joy are two of the many “good things” that God has promised to his children.
On this beautiful trip to the garden I am totally stopped in my tracks. Before me stand several bushes of gorgeous, bright red “Knock Out” Roses! Today I want to rename them, “Knock Your Socks Off” Roses! Or “Take Your Breath Away” Roses! All of my flowers are lovely, but these, are beyond lovely!
My thoughts begin to wander toward Jesus, who is altogether lovely. “His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend,” Song of Songs 5:16 NIV The words of the Father are sweet. Especially sweet are his promises. Like the “Knock Out” Roses, God’s promises take my breath away because over and over again he has proven himself faithful to me. “…for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23b NIV
The Bible is our source of Truth. When reading the Bible we find comfort, wisdom, guidance, and strength. The promises of God are words full of love and hope! These are words we can trust forever and ever. These wonderful words bring comfort and preserve our very life. “My comfort in my suffering is this; your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119: 50 NIV
We can trust the words of God because he does not and cannot lie! God is Truth and there are no lies found in truth.
“He who is the Glory of Israel
“…a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,” Titus 1:2 NIV
“Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.” Hebrews 6:17-18 NIV
“You have kept your promise because you are righteous.” Nehemiah 9:8b NIV
Oh Yes, today these gorgeous “Knock Out” Roses remind me of all the faithful promises of God that are found in his Word. There are promises for salvation, God’s grace, and our acceptance before him. There are promises for deliverance and guidance. God has given us promises for our spiritual growth, promises regarding his love for us and for those we love. We find promises in the Bible for peace, spiritual maturity, and promises for receiving God’s power. God’s Word gives us promises regarding holiness and fellowship. Promises for discerning God’s will, victory over sin, and eternal security. There are promises regarding hearing and answering our prayers. There are promises regarding our dedication, our stewardship, our work, and our obedience. In God’s Word we find promises regarding our witness and promises to protect us from Satan. If we search we will find promises of God’s faithfulness to us and promises of hope and eternal life. All of these promises are for everyone who puts their trust in Jesus Christ.
I have been told that there are over 3,000 promises in the Bible. I am absolutely sure that I do not know them all! That number makes me wonder what I am missing. Today I am faced with the truth that I cannot trust a promise of God that I do not know! That is why I am making my way to the garden bench. But before I go I take another moment to once again enjoy those incredible “Knock Out” roses! As I smell their sweet fragrance, I pull out of my pocket a little book that contains a collection of many of God’s promises. I want to read each promise and soak in the truth of all that God has for me today and every day. I want to learn what God has promised me and then store that promise in my heart so that I can claim each of his promises in my time of need. I want to learn to lean on every promise that God has for me. I want to rejoice and hope as I find strength and comfort in all of the faithful promises of God. Today, I remind myself, Paula, never forget, God can be trusted because he cannot lie. God is a promise keeper!
Questions:
- How many of God’s 3,000 promises do you think you are familiar with?
- What promises do you know?
- Do you wonder what promise you may be missing out on?
- Have you ever purchased a “Promise Book” from a Christian Book Store?
- Do you feel challenged to learn more of God’s amazing promises?
Prayer:
Dear God,
We live in a world where promises are no longer sacred. Men used to signify their word by a simple handshake. Today people sign documents only to have them nullified. Men and women promise to love and cherish each other forever only to desecrate their holy vows. People think nothing of lying in the name of self-protection. God, living in this world of broken promises has taught me not to trust others. Forgive me for not trusting you. Heavenly Father, I want to embrace your Holy Words! Renew in me a trusting heart that believes all you say is true and is mine. God, I am reminded that many of your promises are contingent upon my love for you and my obedience to you. I pray that I will not be found guilty of expecting you to deliver your part of the promise when I have failed to do my part. Your promises are precious. Thank you for so many promises, promises that will stand forever because you can be trusted. Without a doubt God, I praise you because you are a promise keeper!
In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.
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