No Empty Promises

Every so often, I see an HVAC service truck on one of my daily walking routes. It has the motto “no empty promises.” That’s a pretty strong statement to live up to. First, what is an empty promise? Simply put, it’s a promise that you do not intend to, or are unlikely to keep. A broken promise is a promise you didn’t keep (It may or may not have been an empty promise).

We have all experienced both empty and broken promises, and, whether we want to admit it or not, we have all broken promises and very likely made empty promises. It’s these experiences that can make it very difficult for some believers to trust the promises of the Bible.

Another challenge to believing the promises of God is that many believers have their own definition of what God’s promises are: “He will keep me healthy, financially secure, in healthy relationships.” God promises none of those. His promises are too numerous to list here, so let’s focus on three critical promises of Jesus that believers need to know they can take to the spiritual bank:

  • Jesus promised rest to those who receive Him.
  • Jesus promised abundant life to those who followed Him.
  • Jesus promised eternal life to those who trust Him.

Jesus promised rest to those who receive Him.  28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Jesus promised abundant life to those who followed Him. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

Jesus promised eternal life to those who trust Him. but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (NIV)

These promises are impossible to believe if we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, causing the Holy Spirit to be in us. Even believers can struggle at times accepting these promises. When this happens to you, remember what it is you believe. Do you believe the Son of God came to earth for you? That He died a brutal death, for you? That he prayed for forgiveness for those who bloodied Him and then crucified Him?

Our trust level in earthly promises is usually based on the track record of the person making the promise. When you struggle with trusting God’s promises, remember Jesus’ track record, because it has paid for an eternity with Him. When we keep that reality in our hearts, Trusting God as the ultimate promise-keeper gets a lot easier.

Pastor Jerry Bader

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