Unfailing Promises — The Faithfulness of God

After a little research, I found various people offering estimates of how many unfailing promises God has given to us in the Bible. Dr. Everek R. Storms from Ontario, Canada spent considerable time studying and recording the promises of Scripture. In an article in Contact Magazine, he said, “The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises … There are 7,487 promises from God to man.” It would take over twenty years if we looked at one a day.

A promise is only as good as the integrity of the one who makes it. Though I try to be true to my word, I have broken many that I’ve made to myself and others — out of neglect or unforeseen circumstances. God is faithful, however. We can confidently believe all of His promises to us.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23

Faithfulness

Perhaps no other attribute of God offers as much comfort as knowing that He is faithful. His faithfulness guarantees that He will never cease to be who and what He claims to be. His love and mercy never change. He will always be righteous and just, never deviating from His goodness. We never need to doubt that He eternally remains all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present.

We trust God’s promises because we trust His character.

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations … I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself … The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones … Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.”
Psalm 89:1-2, 5, 8

So when we consider His unfailing promises, we rest assured God will do as He says.

Promises

A simple Google search will reveal many useful lists containing biblical promises.

A couple years ago, my pastor encouraged our congregation to underline God’s promises in Scripture. Putting his suggestion into practice, I began to highlight each promise with colored brackets. However, there are so many of God’s unfailing promises, it is easy to catch one and miss five. Consequently, I continue to discover more and more of God’s promises as I read the Bible.

This simple practice helps to focus our attention on God’s goodness and faithfulness.

In talking about God’s faithfulness, Samuel Saldivar says,

“God is unchanging in his nature, true to his Word, has promised salvation to his people, and will keep his promises forever. He is worthy of eternal trust no matter how unlikely his promises seem.”

At least four Old Testament Hebrew terms highlight God’s faithfulness: ʼemet (faithfulness), ʼemuna (steadiness, reliability), ḥesed (loyalty), and zacar (remember). These terms speak to different aspects of God’s faithfulness.

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

Faith

Whether our faith faulters or we firmly believe in God’s unfailing promises, they stand sure. Whether we believe in God’s faithfulness or have question, He remains steadfast.

This quote from A.W. Tozer resonates for many:

“Unbelief always says, ‘Somewhere else, but not here; some other time, but not now; some other people, but not us’ … We believe in miracles tomorrow or yesterday, but we stand in a gap between miracles.”

Every fulfillment of God’s promise is a miracle … and yet we stand in that gap … waiting … hoping … trusting … believing if even with broken faith. We are gap people. His Word declares His faithfulness, and yet, we wonder. Will He?

The broken promises of others sometimes taint our faith, causing a thread of doubt to linger. Will He be faithful today? Here? For me? But yes, God remains worthy of eternal trust no matter how unlikely his promises seem.

God isn’t offended by our doubts. Perhaps, that is why He peppers His Word with enough promises to cover every situation for eternity to come. He reminds us again and again of His faithfulness. Through 7,487 promises, He speaks to us, guaranteeing His faithfulness.

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9

Prayer

Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness — for Your steadiness and reliability, Your loyalty to us, and remembering us in our weakness. Even in the waiting, may unshakable faith rise, believing Your unchanging character is always good. May we find solace in knowing that You are faithful to every promise. We place our confidence and hope in You alone.
Lord, whatever we may encountering today and in the time ahead, I ask that You would affirm Your faithfulness to us. As we wait for our miracle, may we wait with calm assurance. We stand in the gap between yesterday and tomorrow. May we see and know again Your sovereign and loving care. May a tenacious faith arise within us, declaring “I know in whom I trust! He is faithful to all He has promised!”
Lord, we fix our gaze not on Your unfailing promises or miracles, but on You, our faithful and most trustworthy God and Father, Lord and Savior. Our hope rests in Your eternal faithfulness — nothing more and nothing less.

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