In Touch - Aug. 20, 2006

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2006 Aug 20

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

Sunday August 20, 2006

How to Claim God's Promises

There are reported to be more than 40,000 promises in the Bible, but sometimes it is difficult to determine how we can properly respond and claim God’s awesome pledges to us.

There are two kinds of promises from God. First, He gave limited promises. These are promises made specifically to people in the Bible for their individual purposes. An example of this is when God promised a son to elderly Abraham and Sarah, who was barren. This is not a promise that all barren women can claim and expect God’s answer.

However, God also has given general promises. For instance, He promised to never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5b) He also promised to return for us (John 14:3). These promises pertain to all believers.

And then there are two kinds of general promises: conditional and unconditional. The two aforementioned general promises are unconditional; they require nothing of the believer. However, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 37:4, and other promises like them are conditional. They require something of the believer. In Philippians 4:19, the condition is that we be in Christ. The believer must be living for Him and in total submission to His will. The same holds true for "delighting" in the Lord as stated in Psalm 37:4. Clearly, a relationship comes before a request.

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