The Promises

Alan Dusel / Audio Ministry Coordinator

Photo by De an Sun on Unsplash

We are living through unprecedented times ... nothing like we have ever experienced in our lifetimes. Life is not the same as it was a few short weeks ago; most everything has changed. Our jobs and careers have changed ... if you even still have a job. “Working from Home” is a new way of life for me and many Americans. My oldest son lost his job and is still waiting for unemployment financial assistance. Our daily routines have been disrupted. Schools are closed. Our favorite shops and restaurants have been shut down – either temporarily, or in some cases permanently. We have been, for the most part, confined to our homes, with the exception of the essential trips to obtain food and provisions while wearing masks, all due to an invisible deadly virus.

I venture to say that most who read this have been touched in some way by COVID-19, either directly within our families, or through friends or co-workers. I have a dear friend who lost his elderly father, that was living in a nursing home, to the disease. Many throughout the globe have lost family members, friends, or loved ones. It is during times like these that the foundations of our lives are shaken and tested. Priorities shift, and what was once so important, becomes either less important, or not even relevant. The hunkering down of families in quarantine is the new social norm. Through all of this, our faith is put to the test.

As Christians who believe in Jesus – and claim Him as our personal Savior, we can rest in, claim, and lean on some of the many promises that He has given us in His word, The Bible, during these difficult times. A promise from God is a statement we can depend on with absolute confidence. Here are 12 promises that you can refer to in God’s Word, read through, and hold on to during these difficult times:

1. God’s presence: “I will never leave thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) 
2. God’s protection: “I am thy shield.” (Genesis 15:1) 
3. God’s power: “I will strengthen thee.” (Isaiah 41:10) 
4. God’s provision: “I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41:10) 
5. God’s leading: “And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them.” (John 10:4)
6. God’s purposes: “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.” (Jeremiah 20:11) 
7. God’s rest: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
8. God’s cleansing: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 
9. God’s goodness: “No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11) 
10. God’s faithfulness: “The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake.” (1 Samuel 12:22) 
11. God’s guidance: “The meek will He guide.” (Psalm 25:9) 
12. God’s wise plan: “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Romans 8:28)

Our Heavenly Father loves us, is steadfast and true, and can be trusted! He is good and wants the best for His children. He watches over us and provides all our needs. Cling to these promises, and know that He is with you always...

“For this light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)