MIF 19:4 (July-Aug 1987)
God’s Eternal Promises
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
Each one of the hundreds of promises we find in God’s Word is eternal and infallible. When God says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5), we may rest assured we are eternally secure in His everlasting arms.
In order to claim a promise personally we must observe the conditions under which it is given. Some promises are conditional; we must first be merciful to others before we can obtain divine mercy for ourselves (Matthew 5:7). Some promises are unconditional; when we are faced with temptation, we know that “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we are burdened with physical or mental stress, Jesus promises that if we will come to Him, in trust and obedience, He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28).
The scope of our Lord’s promises is from time to eternity and they are frequently confirmed by the words, “He is able.” Our eternal destiny is assured by His promise, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). Meanwhile, we have His promise that the Holy Spirit will guide us, speak to us, and show us things to come (John 16:13). Through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit we are assured of the grace, mercy, and love of God.
Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16).