Promises, Promises, Promises.
Did you know that God made 5,467 promises in the Bible? Since God made all these promises, by definition, He must keep them all.
Estimated reading time4 min read
Did you know that God made 5,467 promises in the Bible? Since God made all these promises, by definition, He must keep them all. God’s promises are irrevocable, His word is trustworthy, and God has always been faithful in keeping His promises.
“fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
The global pandemic has been a trying time for a lot of people, excruciating for some, and a brick wall for others. Through loss of loved ones and financial hardship, this is a time we need to seek the reassuring compassion of God’s love. He has compassion for each and every one of us. This was a frequent promise He made to us.
Despite the times we have come up short fulfilling His plans for our lives, He still loves us. Despite the times we have looked the other way when a brother or sister needs us, He retains His mercy and compassion for us. God’s people have always led by example in showing how to treat each other the same way God treats us – with compassion. During this time of pain, fear, and uncertainty, it’s especially easy to focus on ourselves, but when we come together as a community, our society is bound together by compassion and love.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:8
Psalm 103 has been attributed to King David, and was probably written about 3,000 years ago. God’s revelation to David can be seen as a mirror of God’s revelation to Moses during the time of Exodus. “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” Throughout our history on earth, God has not dealt with us according to our sins. David personally witnessed the slow anger and abounding mercy of God. David knew that his sins deserved greater judgment or discipline.
In times of short tempers and reacting to sensationalized or hyped up news, we need to put on the glow of God’s compassion. Do you see someone struggling? Help them. Do you know of someone with problems? Call them. A kind phone call is a show of compassion. Small steps can change people’s lives.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3:12
I have experienced amazing acts of kindness in the past few months that I’m not sure I would have seen during normal times. As Christians, we are commanded to be loving to others. In Colossians, Paul urged his readers to act and be like God’s people. With all our faults, God still treats us this way. Why don’t we do the same?
It is estimated that $1 billion goes unspent every year from gift cards. How can people not take advantage of a free gift that has already been paid for? Are our lives too self-involved or too busy to bother with a free gift? What about God’s free gift to us? Jesus paid the debt for us to be forgiven for everything. Do we show our gratitude in how we love others? Does our behavior show the same compassion?
Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19
When someone makes a derogatory remark offending you about the fakeness or the threat of the Coronavirus, remember that God has forgotten our foolish behavior. Let’s be merciful to people even when we don’t agree with them. God “delights” in his mercy on us. Can we do the same? Circumstances shouldn’t define our actions. Our destination should. Consider where you’re going to spend eternity. Live your life like that, even during the hard times.
Key Highlights:
- What do you think about God’s promises? Do you think they only apply to the black type in the Bible? God has promised to answer our prayers. Is that reassuring to you?
- Do your beliefs alone define you as a Christian? Do our actions show what’s in our heart? Do they show what we believe?
- Have you personally received an example of real compassion?
Key Applications:
- Read Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 103:8, Colossians 3:12 , and Micah 7:18-19. Apply these readings to your life. Thank God for His goodness and compassion. Pray for the patience and kindness to show this compassion to others. God answers all prayers.
- Our faith shows others our Christian souls. It also shows the living Christ in our hearts. When pushed against the wall, try to do as Paul urged to the Colossians. Have compassionate hearts, show kindness, humility, meekness, and patience to all.
- Even if you haven’t received gentle kindness or compassion from others, be a lighthouse. Jesus told us to follow Him so we, “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
