Has God ever made you a promise?

[whitemamba24]

Hey all,

I didn't know where to post this so I thought this would be a good place.

I'm pretty new to CF and this has probably been asked before, but has God ever made you a personal promise? It's tough to phrase it the right way, but through prayer and studying the bible and going to church, have you ever believed something would happen according to God's will and it has? It doesn't even necessarily have to be through Him blatantly talking to you through prayer.


I'm just curious about this to see examples of God's works like He did in the bible where people were maybe told something and it eventually happened. A good example would be the birth of Issac. It doesn't have to be that extreme though.

Do you guys get what I'm asking?

 

[hlaltimus]

Yes, he has made me a promise, and he has faithfully kept it as well.

My conversion to Christianity was a particularly painful, dark, despondent and difficult one, as I labored to find some kind of a peace in Christ amidst the incessant attacks of horrible black despair sent from hell, that they, (Satan's fallen evil spirits,) would eventually get me, and I would be forever lost to any hope in Christ. From this experience, though, I learned that Satan is the original and dauntless liar that can typically be trusted to tell you the precise opposite of whatever the truth is or can be, for I did find a hope and a lasting inner peace in the Lord that has never left me to this day. After the terrible storms of hell, though, faded into the distance, and "the peace of God that passes understanding" flooded my heart as no other comforter could have possibly done, the Lord quite clearly spoke to my heart the following verses in particular from Isaiah 54:7-10 NKVJ, although the entire 54'st chapter was also spiritually made my possession by faith:

"For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has mercy on you."

He promised me that he would not send his "wrath" upon me again, just as he promised to never deluge the earth again. True, although I have found that his more benevolent Fatherly chastening subsequent to this promise has befallen me...yes, his severe wrath as former has never once afflicted me since then. He also assured me that this promise would extend even to the end of time, (if necessary,) for the very earth would be "removed" and "depart", while his promise to me would remain eternally secure forever. He promised that he would not remove his "covenant of peace" either for that matter, and as I have ever found it to be true of Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep, "My sheep shall never perish." So it has proven: Throughout the very hottest of Satan's persecuting warfare set against me since then, every weapon that he has marshalled to either destroy, delay, mislead or discourage me, has ultimately only served to plant me deeper into the knowledge of Christ my Lord. Every flaming arrow launched by the evil one has missed it's intended mark, in that they have only served to advance my love, peace, hope and joy in Christ, while hastening my pace forward on the "narrow way" that will one day bring into the presence of the One who I am so eternally and gratefully obliged to.

 

[Quasicentennial]

I believe the most important promise is to accept Jesus no matter what and never allow the power of evil such as atheism to weaken your locked-in faith with Jesus - even if you make mistakes. I am not perfect and I make mistakes - but with Jesus, he "holds your hands" spiritually speaking and he will do everything in his holy power to protect you from harm in all sorts of circumstances, such as saying or doing something unbiblical in church. I got caught one time when I received a phone call from my pastor for smoking in the toilets during church session on Sunday - one of the church door attendants reported the incident and the next day Monday I got the pastor's warning. Fortunately my apology over the phone saved myself from a permanent ban. I must not underestimate any Christian while visiting church because God's wisdom prevents them from being gullible or non-alert. I was a few weeks old as a Christian when I became a Christian 30 years ago - and at 17 years old back then I had "mis-thoughts" about certain Christian youths and seniors: I shouldn't judge them by the "cover of a book".:*:.

 

[whitemamba24]

<staff edit>

I don't think God ever breaks His promise's to us, he is faithful to us even when we aren't to Him. This is more of a thread where I'm just curious to see what God has done for others. I've been a christian my whole life but only a couple years ago did I really devout myself to my faith. I guess you could say I was born again. So even though I've been at it for a little while, I'm still learning God's ways and this was a topic I'm kind of unsure about.


@hlaltimus, I'm glad to hear you were able to find God has kept you safe from those attacks. That sounds like a lot to go through and I couldn't imagine it. Thanks for telling your story

 

[heron]

Yes, and it took muuuuuuuuuuuuuch longer than I wanted it to. The promise helped me keep the vision, but it wasn't easy to hold onto.

 

[Peripatetic]

I think it can be dangerous to try to interpret what is a "promise" from God. Sometimes our own mind fills in the blanks. If it doesn't come to pass, it can lead to doubt. Rather than trying to test God by looking for promises, I look to trust in the message from Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I also understand that "for the good of" does not mean that it will always be pleasant and easy.

 

[heron]

I think it can be dangerous to try to interpret what is a "promise" from God. Sometimes our own mind fills in the blanks.

I totally agree! We hear a phrase, and turn it into something much larger and authoritative, when it was only a planted idea.

For instance, a person might hear "hot air balloons."

Does that mean flying them, racing, manufacturing or selling them? Being the first person to go around the world in a balloon in your pajamas.... manufacturing nanoballoons to increase lightheadedness...inventing a water balloon game for kids with no outdoor hoses.

We build wisely and sensibly with what God gives us. He is a creator, and we are made in His image. That makes us creators, and He enjoys seeing us appreciate this gift/tendency that He gave us.

With more clear messages, timing is important. When He starts preparing the path, we should too.. taking workshops, reading up on the topic, meeting people involved in the area, praying ahead.

 

[whitemamba24]

<staff edit>

I never said God broke a promise to me, I'm just wondering what God has promised to others and how he followed through. As I have mentioned, I'm still relatively new, comparatively speaking, in my devout faith so I was just wondering what others have been through.

@heron,

If you don't mind sharing, what was the promise God fulfilled in your life? If you don't want to share, that's completely fine.

 

[achristiantech]

Hey all,

I didn't know where to post this so I thought this would be a good place.

I'm pretty new to CF and this has probably been asked before, but has God ever made you a personal promise? It's tough to phrase it the right way, but through prayer and studying the bible and going to church, have you ever believed something would happen according to God's will and it has? It doesn't even necessarily have to be through Him blatantly talking to you through prayer.

I'm just curious about this to see examples of God's works like He did in the bible where people were maybe told something and it eventually happened. A good example would be the birth of Issac. It doesn't have to be that extreme though.

Do you guys get what I'm asking?

I know what you're asking, but I wanted to point out that God made all of us a personal promise. That if we accept His Son Jesus as our Savior, we will spend eternity with Him. Simplified perhaps, but a promise you can count on.

 

[heron]

@heron,

If you don't mind sharing, what was the promise God fulfilled in your life? If you don't want to share, that's completely fine.

Heh, how should I word this...
I prayed fervently and continually over some career decisions, and at a very sudden point, I sensed a list. It was just words or phrases, but a list of diverse things that looked like career activities.

One fell into my lap unexpectedly. It led to another. One felt like it was a capstone. One I felt God asked me to wait 20 years, and I was too impatient to believe. Technology changed over time, and it made sense to me why waiting was helpful.

A similar thing happened with a healing that my doctor hadn't figured out how to resolve. After long-term prayer, I got a list of steps I needed to take for healing. Some of them were odd, like "talk to -x-" and "eat -x- once per day" and "rip out your rugs." The problem was completely under control in three days, after almost two years.

But I like what Wasblind said about nurturing doubt. God didn't require me to dive off a cliff to complete any mandates. There was no sense of risking missing the mark -- these were presented like suggestive hints, not instructions or promises. Just words. Very helpful ones.

 

[Peripatetic]

Thanks for sharing heron. I think it demonstrates how God's work can be specific, but is usually subtle. A grandiose, dramatic promise may be the work of your own mind or the enemy. Also be careful not to read too much into things that happen to us. When we pray for a sign, it can be tempting to over-think and look for messages that may not be there.

 

[whitemamba24]

<staff edit

Wasblindbutnow, I come onto CF to have decent talks about my faith with other people. To criticize me for something like that, honestly, to me is a little discouraging. Not to my faith, but the fact that even on CF, people try to find little things wrong with everything. I'm on here because I like that fact that people aren't trying to criticize others for simple sentence structure. Please, do not try to question my faith and how God has worked in it. It's not a matter of thinking, it's a matter of knowing God works in your life, aka faith.

2 Corinthians 4:18- So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary but what's unseen is eternal.

2 Cor 5:7 (KJV)- For we walk by faith, not by site.

Now you may be at a different place in your faith, and I fully respect that, but to me one of the great aspects of christians is that no matter what, they are always accepting of others no matter their current situation in their walk of faith. Everybody has a different faith and relationship with God, so please do not try to criticize me for mine.

I agree with you Heron in the fact that God guides you in the right direction, and I have had minor experiences with that. Not as life changing as yours though.

I also agree with you peripatetic, we cannot look too much into things or we will be led astray. We just have to know that God always looks out for those who trust and believe in Him and as achristiantech pointed out, believe in His greatest promise of the love, mercy, and grace that He showed by giving His one and only son just to save us.

There is no greater act of love and for that we should always be thankful.

 

[whitemamba24]

This post is not about how to interpret God's promises or if He has made you a promise. This post, and I've said it multiple times, is about examples of God's promises He's made to other people. I was simply asking because I wanted to see God working today like he worked throughout the bible.

And honestly, I have seen God's work in my life and am in a point in my faith where I know God will never forsake me or leave me. So, me personally, I am not concerned, worried, or scared about mistaking God when It's not Him.

Cause I know when it's Him:

John 10: 27- My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I know that if I concern myself with my personal relationship with Him first and foremost, everything else will be fine. I'm very happy with my life and thank God everyday for blessing me in ways I don't deserve.

Deut 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Maybe try reading Hebrews 11 too, it's filled with faith examples based off simply listening too God.

If you go searching for "promises" when they're not there, you put that above you're relationship with God and it will not workout. But that isn't what this post is concerned about. I'm not searching for promises, or asking for an opinion on a promise I think God has made me.

As you see from some of the examples, God has made promises to people and still does now days. If you are more interested in trying to nit pick my original question, more power to you. I'll keep you in my prayers because that isn't what this is about.

 

[achristiantech]

<staff edit>

A bit too legalistic in my mind. Let the Christian determine whether God answered a promise or not. God can handle it. Let's not nitpick here.

 

[papaJP]

I live today and walk in the will of God because of a life full of promises God gave me and kept.

 

[heron]

Saying with certainty that you know exactly what God is promising you is a grave logical error. Not only is it incorrect, but it is also egotistical (it relies too much on human interpretation)

But scripture shows many examples of people who trusted exactly what God told them, and acted in faith. Imagine Noah building half an ark, Moses saying maybe and chickening out while talking with Pharaoh... a certain amount of trust needs to be mixed with the humility and sensibility.
If not, there would be no Torah, no prophets... basically no Bible.

 

[Mister_Al]

If you think that God made a promise to you that didn't come to pass then you must conclude one of two things--either God lied to you, or it really wasn't God that promised it in the first place.

If you believe that God told you a lie then that makes Him a liar to you and you can't believe in anything He says. If it really wasn't God that made you the promise then you'll simply have to swallow your pride and admit that you were mistaken about the promise in the first place.

I've had things that I thought God promised me not come to pass only to find out that I was mistaken about what I thought was promised to me originally. Then, later, I would receive things that were a LOT better (from Him) than what I thought I was supposed to have the first time.

Personally, I can't doubt Gods integrity. If He says I'll get something and the enemy messes it up, then God will just give me something even better. But, there have been times that I thought I heard from Him and was wrong.

God keeps His word and He can't be judged by our circumstances.

Be Blessed,

Alan

 

[Peripatetic]

But scripture shows many examples of people who trusted exactly what God told them, and acted in faith.

There is a difference though. In the Old Testament, God spoke to people directly and indirectly through prophets much more often. Now the established Bible provides us with sufficient guidance and wisdom. It doesn't mean that God won't speak to some, but we we longer need those direct proclamations from God the way they did before Jesus came to Earth.

 

[Kitty.]

An obvious promise is eternal life with Jesus Christ.

I'm assuming that you mean a promise other than that and my answer is yes. God has explicitly promised me certain things and they have happened. I am not going to go in detail or anything though.

 

[camille70]

Yes, God has made me a promise. I've heard God speak to me twice, tho the first time I didn't recognize it for what it was, I was a child. The first time it was an instruction/observation of an event that was taking place. The second time I was an adult and it was a promise. The second time made me realize the source for the first time. It was like a still small voice. It was in my mind, but not my voice. The second time, I had just bought a christian book and was driving home from the store. I was going through a hard time. I didn't know it at the time but most of the book was about the author hearing God speak and learning to obey. Normally when I heard things like that, I would think, "that's nice" but I couldn't really relate. Thanks to my own experience, I was able to relate and open my heart to what I read. I could also relate better to scripture that spoke of God speaking to David. That about 10 years ago, and I haven't heard God speak like that since, but the promise got me through a dark time. I can't say whether or not it's been fulfilled. My idea of what fulfillment would look like might not be Gods plan, but he has blessed me, and I'm thankful.