No Need to Doubt the Promises of God

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why through him we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee—2 Corinthians 1:20-22 (ESV)

For Insight

In 445BC word came to Nehemiah who was serving as a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes, that the walls of Jerusalem were torn down and the gates destroyed by fire. This was troubling for Nehemiah because he knew without walls those who had escaped captivity had no protection. Armed with this information Nehemiah went into a time of prayer and fasting to seek God’s favor in rebuilding.  

In order to accomplish what he asked God’s help Nehemiah had to ask the King’s permission to take some time away from his duties. He needed supplies, he needed to gather laborers, and undertake everything involved in rebuilding the wall. It was only by faith in the promises of God that Nehemiah was able to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Because he knew the promises of God and was able to confidently claim those promises as his own he was successful.

There was no room for Nehemiah to doubt God’s promises. No room for wavering in his faith and trust in God’s promises. Can we imagine what great things we would see accomplished in our life if we had such perfect faith and did not doubt the promises of God? What would you accomplish? What would you step out on today?

Think of the categories and areas of life God’s promises cover. God has made promises concerning help and guidance, his faithfulness, our salvation, heavenly wisdom, peace, joy, unconditional love, riches in heaven, being adopted into his family, strength, power, provision (including bodily, mental, and spiritual), eternal life, deliverance from enemies, angel protection, danger and temptation, healing, and renewal, to name a few. There is no area of life God has not made us a promise that he will never break or go back on.   

It did not matter what Nehemiah faced during those years. He trusted God to keep every one of his promises. When enemies tried to frustrate the work Nehemiah told his workers, “Our God will fight for us” (Neh. 4:20) and they continued the work believing God to cover them.

Knowing the promises of God can help us in our daily lives, but living those promises will be what it takes to navigate both big and small decisions, and to conquer fear, temptation, and danger. Of course, Nehemiah is only one biblical example of those who not only knew the promises of God but made them their firm foundation for moving out and forward. Is there even one personality in the Scriptures who did not need to trust in God’s promises for success?    

Just like Nehemiah, when we know and stand on the promises of God, when we trust and do not doubt his promises that are not only written in stone, but etched in blood and nailed to the cross, we will see God do marvelous, miraculous things in our lives and in the world around us. We will see him do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask, think, or imagine in our lives and circumstances.  

Great and gracious God, why I have not always let your promises be the springboard I needed to step out in faith I cannot say. Fear, and doubt would lead the list. From here on out may I be like Nehemiah and countless others I have read or heard about so I can experience victory and success in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

For Application

What promises are important for you to trust in presently? What will you do next if you are trusting and not doubting that the promises of God will hold fast?

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