Friday Fight 172: His Permanent Promises
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF172.
How often have we made a promise to God, ourselves, or someone else, only to find ourselves unable to keep it, and in some cases, begging for mercy? Perhaps it was a promise to always be there for a friend, a vow to never repeat a mistake, or a commitment to live a certain way. There is a contextual component to making promises, whether it's in the sacred bond of marriage, the declaration of baptism, or promises made to others. Regardless of our intentions, promises are often broken, and lives are changed as a result. In these moments, we can find solace and guidance through our faith. What promises can we hold onto when facing situations that we never realized we would be facing?
His Permanent Promises:
When allowed to look at what changes in our lives and what remains the same, we quickly find that life is constantly changing. Yes, the inherent structure of how God designed us remains, like having green eyes and particular character traits, even as we age. Thinking about our lives constantly changing and not having the truth of any guarantee can invoke fear and chaos. Without the permanent promises of God, our minds would be plagued with what happens when there are questions with no answers. Psalm 32:8 says, 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.' This verse reassures us that God is always with us, guiding and teaching us, even in the midst of life's uncertainties.
Things perceived as promises from sources not of God sink into the darkness, leaving us broken and alone to face the emptiness of even the best intentions. Satan is the father of lies and will do anything to make sin both appealing and deserving. Promises can also resemble traditions that flow from generation to generation. The truth is if we want to receive God's promises, we can begin by conforming to His likeness and walking in His attributes. Understanding this contrast should bring peace, knowing the true source of His promises and where to place your trust.
For those who know God, love Him, and bask in His undeniable grace, we have been given the unparalleled gift of knowing our Heavenly Father loves us. His love is limitless. His comfort is a constant presence. His healing is endless. His deliverance is abundant. We can bring our smallest concerns or life-changing decisions to Him, knowing that His comfort is always there for us. Our creator is ready to celebrate all we are willing to share with Him. We are never in a place where we have to pick up the broken pieces of our hearts left by those with self-serving intentions and misguided promises by us or to us. Instead, we are graciously directed, lovingly forgiven, and assured when life leaves us in isolation and disarray.
Pastor Shannon
New Life