"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." Hebrews 10:23, NLT

Our youngest didn't look too happy about the idea of going to the doctor, especially when she learned that she was due for some shots.  In a moment of inspiration, I remembered that we had fruit popsicles buried deep in our freezer, and I promised to save one for a brave girl who gets her shots.  (It's true, I don't have a problem with appropriate incentivizing here and there.)  A couple hours later, when Giselle returned home, she immediately showed me a bandaid on each thigh and asked, "Can I have my popsicle now?"  With a smile and high-five, I dug through the freezer right away only to pull out a surprisingly light, flimsy box...with one last frozen treat.  Whew!  My little 3-year-old reminded me of a couple important things that day:  1) As a parent, I need to be certain I can make good on my promises, because my kids will be certain to remember them!  2) Promises are very empowering.  And if this is true of a parent's promise to their kids, how much more so of our heavenly Father's promises to each of us.

The apostle Paul, writing to believers who were struggling to sustain their faith amidst external persecution and internal distraction, inspired them to keep holding on to hope.  On what basis?  God is faithful to keep His promises (Heb. 10:23).  In other words, what God has spoken, He is both able to perform (Rom. 4:20-21) and also faithful to accomplish.  What God has said, He will do.  That, after all, is the nature of God's Word.  

From the very opening lines of Scripture, we see a God whose divine Word speaks life itself into existence.  

So when God speaks a promise, we don't have to wonder whether that divine Word will find fulfillment, alter circumstances, and produce life and hope in situations we only feel despair.  Our Father wants us to hold tightly to hope without wavering because His promises "will not return to [Him] empty, but will accomplish what [He desires] and achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it" (Isa. 55:11). 

Is there a doctor visit you're not looking forward to, a mountain that seems immovable, a burden that seems unbearable?  Friends, our God promises so much more than popsicles.  To the brokenhearted, He promises His presence (Ps. 34:18).  To the troubled, He promises His return.  To the questioning, answers (Jas. 1:5).  To the lost, salvation (Rom. 10:13).  May God turn in every anxiety an invitation to search God's Word for God's promises.  And may we learn to lean on those promises, pray those promises, and stand on those life-giving promises.

PS -- Our church board recently compiled some of our favorite promises to claim in prayer -- whether for our kids, for ourselves, or for any of our loved ones.  Hope this can be a helpful resource to you in standing on God's promises day by day.

Download the Prayer Card