Recognizing God’s Promises

I know what it’s like to hear the promise of God that you’ll have a victorious, overcoming life, and I know what it’s like to not see that promise fulfilled. In those moments, I’ve felt defeated, overwhelmed and discouraged by the enemy.

I know what it’s like to hear the promise of God that says that he’ll show us the heights and the depths and the breadth of his love, but I also know what it’s like on the other hand to still feel unloved or like I have to earn God’s love and strive to make him happy with me. I know the promises of God that he gives us unspeakable favor as his children, but I also know what it’s like to ask the question, “Is he really for me? He seems distant and cold like a harsh taskmaster sometimes.”

I know what it’s like to have all these promises of God – the overwhelming joy, victory, power, contentment, peace, prosperity, grace and life abundant — and I know what it’s like to feel like I’m not experiencing them in my own life. Every promise of God for me is a goal. I want it all. How many of you would just like half of what God has promised? How many of you would like three-quarters? How many of you would like all of it?

Proverbs says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick...” How many of you know the next part of that scripture without looking? Most of us know the first part, but many of us don’t realize that the second half of that verse says, “...but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).

Does the hope of having dreams realized float down from heaven? Is it a gift-wrapped package from God, or are there things that he asks of us, steps that you and I can take to see our hopes realized?

The problem is not that God isn’t faithful to fulfill his promises. The problem is our ability to realize his promises by incorporating principles and practices, devotions and commitments to the Lord that open the windows of heaven, so to speak. Once our heart's in the right place and submitted to Christ, we can see the promises of God realized in our lives.