PROMISES

We all make promises but the biggest promise maker in England is Andrew Bailey the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England.  On every bank note in tiny print he writes, “I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of £20” or whatever it is.  He confirms this by putting his signature underneath.

Nearly 2000 years ago, Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, wrote with great excitement about God’s “exceedingly great and precious promises” that the first Christians were just beginning to discover and to claim for themselves. [ 2 Peter 1:4 ]

These promises are far superior to any human promises because they come with the power of God that has the ability to deal with the root cause of all human troubles by dealing with the trouble in our heart which is the heart of the trouble!

A guilty conscience is the chief cause of depression, fear and anxiety so this hurdle must be conquered first.  Today Jesus says this to all who turn away from their sins, “Most assuredly (I promise you) that whoever believes in Me has everlasting life.” [John 6:47]  Christians believe that Christ took the punishment they deserved by dying on the cross.  This line of a hymn expresses their gratitude, “Love so amazing so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” 

When we turn from our sins to Christ, God adopts us into His family so we can then pray to ‘Our Father’ in Heaven.  This means we have inherited hundreds of His precious promises!   For example Jesus promised, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” [Hebrews 13:5] so loneliness can go!  Worry and fear can go because Jesus promises, “My peace I give unto you.” [John 14:27]  Finally our hope of Heaven can blossom because Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you.” [John 14:2]