Does God actually keep his promises?

[seekingmuch]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

 

[Daniel9v9]

God does keep His promises, but nowhere in the Bible does it say that all who believe will be blessed with good friends. We may or we may not. We do, however, have a guarantee for a friend in Christ, who is faithful.

 

[“Paisios”]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

I don’t see any evidence or valid suggestion that this magazine article was any promise or sign from God...only that you hoped it was and wanted it to be. So I don’t see in anything you wrote that God broke or didn’t answer a promise.

But I would also point out that God works on His time, not ours. The nation of Israel, after the Exodus from Egypt waited more than 40 years for their promise of a homeland, Abraham waited a long time for his promise of a son to be fulfilled, mankind waited thousands of years for the promised Savior (promised in Genesis) to come. His time, not ours.

 

[discipler7]

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

1JOHN.5: = 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Cf; and not according to our will or desires. Did Jesus Christ has a best friend or spouse.?

God has stated His will in His Word or Bible, ie He promises people a good and long life on earth by keeping His Law(DEUT.28) and everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven by accepting His Son, Jesus, as the Christ/Messiah/Saviour(JOHN.3:16)[MATTHEW.19:16-23].

 

[angeltrue]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

I've struggled with unanswered prayer. It's frustrating when you know God hears and yet doesn't answer. In your case maybe you could join some type of group - something that interests you - and you can meet like-minded friends. I joined a Moms-in-Touch meeting and met a quality friend there who I still cherish years later. Good luck!

 

[Dave G.]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

You're taking a circumstantial experience in a doctors office and personally creating a promise from God out of it. This one is all on you not on Him. He placed nothing in your heart and He spoke nothing from scripture on this that you could have formed that conclusion from, it was wishful thinking/girly imagination on your part is all.

The best friend you will ever have is Jesus Christ, anyone in this life will be second best. Meanwhile deal with truth and pray honestly. The most reliable answers from God are spoken from scripture and certainly not from our vein imaginations.

 

[seekingmuch]

I've struggled with unanswered prayer. It's frustrating when you know God hears and yet doesn't answer. In your case maybe you could join some type of group - something that interests you - and you can meet like-minded friends. I joined a Moms-in-Touch meeting and met a quality friend there who I still cherish years later. Good luck!

Thanks for your comment. Other than yours, the others were nothing but pathetic, "I shall defend God" balderdash, or, "God made you no such promise". God is a big boy who can defend himself.

I already think most prayer for things is just "wishing." I shall not waste my time doing it anymore.

 

[Dave G.]

Thanks for your comment. Other than yours, the others were nothing but pathetic, "I shall defend God" balderdash, or, "God made you no such promise". God is a big boy who can defend himself.

I already think most prayer for things is just "wishing." I shall not waste my time doing it anymore.

Silly. I would add that stopping praying is a big mistake.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

I caught that you prayed for and asked for a best friend. But, are we sure that God made you a promise regarding this?

When I pray I try to remember to always include if it Be Your Will God.

Book of Job comes to mind.

I prayed for a God loving and God fearing wife many years ago. In time God sent me a sweet one.

Don't give up keep praying and be patient.

M-Bob

 

[Dave G.]

seekingmuch, God hears all of our prayers. Sometimes the answer is actually no and sometimes the answer is yes but it comes in His time not our time. Suppose He is working on your prayer, making the perfect arrangements, perhaps your new friend right now doesn't live near you but will in the future for instance. Or some other variable we don't know about has to be filled in. I pray now for you to build your faith and your trust in God, the true and living God and the opposite of what you are thinking of Him and of doing. Amen

 

[dqhall]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

In 2001 I attended a men's meeting that met once a week. After the meeting a group of us used to go to a Chinese restaurant for supper. I got this fortune cookie: "He who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth starves." I also attended a meeting with men and women on a different night. Once a newcomer attended. I went to her after the meeting and invited her to go with us to the restaurant afterwards. She said, "I can't go this week, but I will go next week." We went to the restaurant after the meeting with the group the following week. After we ate she asked me if I would go to have ice cream with her at a different place. I went. We exchanged phone numbers and dated for several years. I became injured and lost my job. We broke up. My lack of faith prevented me from making a better relationship.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

To have a friend, you have to be a friend.
Matthew 25:34-36 World English Bible, Public Domain
34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

 

[dreadnought]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

I doubt the Lord told the lady that she'd have to wait two years. I don't think the Lord works like that.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

Hi the point is you are a bit lonely and wanting someone who you can hang out with for your benefit. This is what James says You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Now James also says if any asks for wisdom God will give it too Him. If you put your prayers into growing in the LORD and start serving like volunteering going to women's groups and all you will be prepared to be a better friend as you will be a better person yourself. In those settings people talk get to know one another and a friendship is grown from what starts out as an aquaintence and grows from there.

 

[Daniel9v9]

Thanks for your comment. Other than yours, the others were nothing but pathetic, "I shall defend God" balderdash, or, "God made you no such promise". God is a big boy who can defend himself.

I already think most prayer for things is just "wishing." I shall not waste my time doing it anymore.

I'm sorry you're having a difficult time, but I would encourage you to read God's word more, for your idea of God's grace and the point of prayer is a bit off.

Prayer is not mere wishing, but a petition we do through confidence in Christ. To not pray is a sin. (A) Because we are to call upon the name of the Lord in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. And (B) because Jesus explicitly taught us to pray (The Lord's Prayer).

If we carefully study the Lord's Prayer, we can see the right heart and purpose of prayer; which is glorifying God, interceding for our neighbour and asking for provision and forgiveness. All of this God grants us in abundance. Still, Christ also says that we are to suffer for his sake, just as all the apostles did. Being Christian and having the power to pray does not mean having a comfortable life, but rather that we are comforted by Christ and ultimately saved.

 

[paul1149]

I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it.

We have to be careful about signs. I believe in signs, as I believe in the power of prayer and in the promises of God in Christ. But Paul gives good advice concerning the supernatural:

Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies,
but test everything; hold fast what is good.
Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-1Thess 5:16-23​

You can see the expanded context of the whole thing. Our attitude is important, and should be one of rejoicing and thankfulness. We should be open to the prophetic, which includes things like signs, but we should prove them. Lastly, we must sanctify ourselves on a daily basis, because that is the purpose of the whole thing. God gives signs to help us on our journey toward becoming the sons of God in all fulness.

So to take a sign as a promise, and then when not seeing it fulfilled, runs counter to this plan in several ways. Was the sign tested? Did you walk it out in faith? Did it contribute to your sanctification? If so, I would tend to think you indeed had heard God. If not, you should examine yourself and your motivations, to be sure you haven't missed it in some area.

To give up on God is the greatest mistake of all. I take it as a given that He is perfect, and if any mistakes are made, they are mine. One other possibility is that there has been outside hindrance. We can see an example of this in Daniel's delayed answer to prayer:

12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. - Dan 10:12-13 NLT​

You begin to understand why Jesus stressed the need for patience and perseverance (Luke 18.1-ff, et al), and the need to overcome (Rev 2-3, et al). Oftentimes things aren't easy for us, but by sticking to the program we learn to draw in close to the Lord, and see His good hand at work - in us, through us and for us.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

Actually dogs do count as mankind's best friend as well as diamonds. Did you specify?

 

[seekingmuch]

Actually dogs do count as mankind's best friend as well as diamonds. Did you specify?

Yes, I did.

Brian, I worked in the TV ministry for years. I have two jobs and really don't have time for volunteering for anything. I sleep, work, eat, work some more. It's become my life. I probably work 80 hours a week.

I bet everyone here that has commented probably has friends call them all the time, or they are married, etc., etc.

Most of you are downright COLD-hearted. If I wanted to be told how wrong I am for asking God for a best friend, then believing some article was sign.....sheesh, honestly, I'll say it, Christians can be some of the most cold-hearted people in the universe. No wonder you lost two generations and are losing the next one.

 

[W2L]

Yes, I did.

Brian, I worked in the TV ministry for years. I have two jobs and really don't have time for volunteering for anything. I sleep, work, eat, work some more. It's become my life. I probably work 80 hours a week.

I bet everyone here that has commented probably has friends call them all the time, or they are married, etc., etc.

Most of you are downright COLD-hearted. If I wanted to be told how wrong I am for asking God for a best friend, then believing some article was sign.....sheesh, honestly, I'll say it, Christians can be some of the most cold-hearted people in the universe. No wonder you lost two generations and are losing the next one.

Yep, some do seem cold.

 

[W2L]

I asked God for a best friend over two years ago. I asked him a lot.

Lo, and behold, I was at the doctor's office where there are rarely any magazines, and certainly never any Christian ones. Anyway, this article was by the woman who asked God for a best friend in high school. God told her, "You'll have to wait two years." Two years later, she got her best friend. I took that as a sign God was going to actually do it. I figured then I'd forget all about it. Well, apparently, I didn't this time.

Did I get mine? Nope.

It's been well over two years now. So, yesterday and today, I've been asking God, "where's the best friend you promised?"

What is he going to say? "Oh, I didn't send you the magazine at the doctor's office." I'm actually waiting to see how God is going to get out of this "promise."

Totally disappointed.

I asked God for a friend too, but what i got was someone i must pray for.

 

[“Paisios”]

I don’t see any evidence or valid suggestion that this magazine article was any promise or sign from God...only that you hoped it was and wanted it to be. So I don’t see in anything you wrote that God broke or didn’t answer a promise.

But I would also point out that God works on His time, not ours. The nation of Israel, after the Exodus from Egypt waited more than 40 years for their promise of a homeland, Abraham waited a long time for his promise of a son to be fulfilled, mankind waited thousands of years for the promised Savior (promised in Genesis) to come. His time, not ours.

Thanks for your comment. Other than yours, the others were nothing but pathetic, "I shall defend God" balderdash, or, "God made you no such promise". God is a big boy who can defend himself.

I already think most prayer for things is just "wishing." I shall not waste my time doing it anymore.

I am sorry that you found my response unhelpful, but my intent was not malicious. Forgive me.

 

[seekingmuch]

I am sorry that you found my response unhelpful, but my intent was not malicious. Forgive me.

Okay. Maybe you should empathize with somebody going through a hard time first? It just seems like Christians, in my experience, are so willing to just jump on someone with their superior attitude and experience. I've been in some bad churches and have been hurt by a lot of Christians though things they did and things they didn't do. I told God, "exactly what am I selling to others when my experience has been a nightmare?"

It just seems if you question the almighty God, Christians are apt to attack you with words and their beliefs making you feel less than worthy. Defend God at all costs. I say, "if someone questions God, he's big boy and can defend himself."

You know who has turned me off to God more than anyone? Churches. I just don't get why churches accept marrieds and professionals with open arms and the rest of us aren't worth their time of day. That has been my experience in many churches, including the almighty Catholic one. They want you to work, but they want nothing to do with your afterwards. And, yeah, those people that say Christians are judgemental aren't lying.

Churches that say, "family-oriented" I won't even waste my time on. They might as well stand out front and give those that aren't married the finger and say, "Go elsewhere."