GOD’S UNFAILING PROMISES

“There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” – 1 Kings 8:56b

The promises of God are UNFAILING PROMISES: “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” (1Kgs.8:56). All through the Bible we see that God keeps promises. If He didn't, He would not be God. Countless Scriptures prove that God keeps His Word. Solomon reiterated this in the dedication of the Temple, where God’s Shekinah glory filled His house. He had offered a public prayer of dedication to the Lord. Now, He addressed the people, calling them first to praise God because of the amazing things He had accomplished for them. Solomon specifically blessed the Lord for giving REST to His people, “according to all that He promised” (v.56). More amazing was that this fulfilment in the days of Solomon was of a promise made to Moses, nearly five hundred years before!

The implication: if people fail God, the fulfilment of His unfailing promise could transcend personalities and generations. Moses was called to lead Israel out of bondage into a land of promise, and give them rest from their enemies. The people however erred in unbelief and could not enter into His rest: “…they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways. “Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest” (Psa.95:10b-11). Joshua then led them in, but they failed to conquer all the Canaanites as commanded (Jos.17:13). Then followed an era of recurring rebellion and disobedience under the Judges (Jud.2:11-12). When Saul became king, his faithfulness waivered, and war continued. David succeeded Saul, but inherited disorder. He had to fight many wars to bring peace to Israel.

Now, with all enemies conquered and a secure border, Israel ultimately entered her rest in her land! Most importantly, the Shekinah Presence of God was in the Temple. His Unfailing Promised was finally fulfilled! God made a promise to Israel through Moses, and despite the people’s obstinacy, He fulfilled His Sure Word in Solomon. We must be ever reminded of an important truth: to always realise that the only reason we are where we are is because of God’s Mercy and Faithfulness. We must never be under a delusion that we have earned what we are or where we are (Jam.1:17). We can find extensive evidence of God’s Unfailing Promises in His Word. He is not slack concerning His promises (2Pet.3:9). God, who fulfilled His promises to Noah, Abraham, Sarai, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the Judges, Moses, Joshua, kings and prophets, is still the same!

However, many of God’s promises, though unfailing, are conditioned on faith. That is, they are for everyone, who desires, believes, and embraces them. The Bible is full of many such promises; available and all paid for by the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, cross, resurrection, and ever living to make intercede for us (Heb.7:25). For example: Jesus says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jh.3:16). This promise is for anyone, anywhere who’ll only trust Him. Again He says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). Anyone, any time, may come to Him. He welcomes us. Our part is to come; the Lord gives and does the rest. Ours is to come humbly, in faith; believing and trusting.

In this dispensation of the New Covenant, all of God’s promises answer YES in Christ; all of them are based upon and find their fulfilment in Christ (2Cor.1:20). God can never be blamed. His grace and love are great, but not an endless, blank-check, if we rebel, do nothing or ignore the Lord. Without faith, “let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (Jam.1:7). Enjoying God’s Unfailing Promises depends on our walk of faith and obedience with Him. Our God is the Covenant-keeping God and the Promise-Keeper indeed!