The Bible is filled with hundreds of what the apostle Peter called “exceeding great and precious promises”: definite, explicit declarations God has made that you can count on. In the book, All the Promises of the Bible, Dr. Herbert Lockyer discusses the nature of God’s promises – their substance, simplicity, surety, source, security, and scope.
Lockyer’s in-depth look at the scope of God’s promises arranges them in categories that cover the full array of human concerns, from the spiritual to the material and the corporate to the personal. As you come to understand God’s promises and how they apply to every aspect of your life, you’ll gain a trust in God that will sustain you through the worst of times and be your source of rejoicing in the best.
Promises Only for His Own
We encourage you to read All the Promises of the Bible. Here is an uplifting excerpt discussing Christ’s promises to his own:
Jesus Christ came as the long Promised One, and while here in the flesh He could lay hold of those Old Testament prophecies, which were promises, and relate them to Himself (Luke 24:25-27; 44-48). As He tabernacled among men, the testimony of those who heard Him was “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). All He uttered was so full of promise. His sayings, parables and discourses, are potential promises. There are, however, a few explicit promises we can enumerate under this section.
“Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:4
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Matthew 7:7
“How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:50
“Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
“Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:25
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20
“That ye which have followed me, … shall sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28
“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
“Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you … Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” John 20:21, 22
There is a sense in which John 14, 15 and 16 can be treated as one long, glorious promise for the saints of God. How permeated these great chapters are with all Christ is willing to be, and to do, for His own. The appropriation of all He has promised in this last discourse of His, would quickly end all doubt and spiritual impoverishment. He waits to fulfil His word on our behalf, and if only our love were more simple, we would “take Him at His word.”
All the promises of Christ are, as John Bunyan said of one of them, “Words for a man to hang his soul upon.” His promises, like His Cross, tower o’er all the wrecks of time. The saints of succeeding ages have testified to the fact that He is faithful to all His promises. Some scholars affirm that the familiar exhortation of Jesus came as God manifest in flesh and we can certainly hold fast to His faithfulness as a Promiser.
We trust, not only His faithfulness, but His power enabling Him to fulfill any promise on our behalf. His promises were made not only as the Carpenter of Nazareth, but as the Eternal Son of God, begotten before all worlds and who came as “God” (John 1:1, 2)
When [the Dutch ruler] William of Orange was coming to England [in 1688], he gave written pledges to certain of his friends that they should have particular honors and certain high offices in the kingdom. But there was one of his friends, who became Lord Chamberlain of the realm, who refused any pledge. “No, sir,” he said respectfully, “Your Majesty’s word is enough.” Can we not write over every royal promise – “Thy word, Lord, is enough”? Is not the story of past fulfilments of His promises sufficient assurance for today? All He has been as the Faithful Promiser, He is, and will ever be.
About the Author
Dr. Herbert Lockyer was a minister and best-selling author of over 50 books. He was born in London in 1886 and held pastorates in Scotland and England for 25 years before coming to the United States in 1935. In 1937 he received the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Northwestern Evangelical Seminary. In 1955 he returned to England, where he lived for many years. He then returned to the United States, where he continued to devote time to the writing ministry until his death in November 1984.
Billy Graham wrote, “Dr. Lockyer was unquestionably one of the spiritual giants of our century, and his prolific writings will continue to make an impact on countless Christians for generations to come if our Lord tarries.”
Christ’s Promises to His Own Related Articles
==> Also read “Out From the Depths“
==> And read “Where Is Thy Sting?“