Application: God's Promises are Based on Trust

The Big Idea: This mini-series is about finding practical applications in a Bible passage; God’s promises are based on His character, which we can trust.

God's Pomises are based on Trust

One of Aesop’s Fables is about the boy who cried wolf. The shepherd boy teased the villagers that a wolf was attacking their sheep and watched with glee as they dropped everything to protect the sheep. After numerous jokes the people stopped listening. He lost their trust. His word was worthless.

God is worth our trust because of who He is. He has revealed Himself to us through His Word, the Bible, which also includes stories of people in Bible times who discovered who He claims to be is true. Christians through the ages recount their own stories of the same.

We can trust God

The many attributes of God make Him worthy of complete trust. Here are a few.

• He does not change. (Numbers 27:19, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)
• He knows everything and is infinitely wise. (Psalm 147:5, 1 John 3:20)
• He cannot lie. All He says is true. (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18)
• He is all powerful. (Jeremiah 32:17, Hebrews 1:3) He can do everything He said He will do. (Ezekiel 24:14, Psalm 52:9)
• He is good. (Psalm 145:9, James 1:17) There is no dark side with God. (1 John 1:5)
• He will make everything right someday. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1-5) He is st. (Luke 18:7)

Samples of promises based on His character

In this list, there are promises made to individuals who lived in a very different setting than ours. Many of the examples of God’s love and faithfulness are from the Old Testament. Many are made with the contingency that you love God and follow Him; that you are His children. We can observe God’s nature and actions through those promises not made to us. The most important things we need to know about God and His relationship to us are in the Bible.

These verses are samples. This is not a comprehensive list!

Some characteristics: God is everywhere. God knows everything.

• God is always with me. (Deut 31:8 Joshua 1:19, Psalm 23:14)
• God sees me. He sees my dreams, my confusion, my pain. (Genesis 16:13, Psalm 139:13)
• God is watching over me. (Genesis 28:15, 2 Chronicles 16:9a)
• God can coach me/give me counsel (Psalm 32:8, John 16:1)
• God gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5)
• God is bigger than the troubles of this world. (John 16:33)

More characteristics: God is all powerful. God is good. God holds all resources in His hands.

• God gives strength. (Isaiah 40:29, Ephesians 3:16)
• God can meet my needs ( Philippians 4:19)
• God has the power to rescue me. (Psalm 50:5, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 107:13)
• God can free me from darkness, bondage. (John 8:3-6)
• God is good to His children (Psalm 103:2-5, Matthew 7:9-11)
• God will make all things right, ultimate judgment over evil. (Revelation 12: 9-11)
• God is the ultimate giver of eternal life. (John 11:25-26, 1 John 2:24-25)

What to look for

These samplings suggest what to look for as you read through Bible passages. Always ask:

What do I learn about God’s character here?

How can God be at work in my life right now? What does He want from me?

 

Put on your Promise Filter to find God’s promises for YOU!

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This post is forty-third in a series as a Practical Starter Guide for Inductive Bible Study.

Up next: Find the Application: Promise Claimed -3 Promise Filter
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Reflect:

1. What attribute of God do you appreciate the most? Why do you think it is special to you?

2. What is a promise He has made to someone in the Bible that you could use today? How might you remember this verse and lean on it?