Restoring Calm, Part 8: The Promise of God’s Faithfulness

GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR

What God has promised you…

• His renewal (2 Corinthians 4:16)
• His nearness (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• Hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
• A straight path (Proverbs 3:5–6)
• Rest (Matthew 11:28–29)
• Provision (Philippians 4:19)
• Strength (Isaiah 41:10)
• Restoration (Psalm 23:1–3)
• Deliverance (Isaiah 43:2)
• Protection (Psalm 46:1)
• Answered prayer (Luke 1:9–10)
• The Holy Spirit’s guidance (John 16:13)

And finally, you have the promise that God keeps his promises.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

4 Challenges to Believing and Claiming God’s Promises

1. Personal experience—we have all had to deal with broken promises.

2. Lag time—it’s challenging to remain hopeful in the lag time between the promise made and the promise kept.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

3. We want the details!

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:45

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations…” Psalm 105:8

…even if we are faithless, he remains faithful…” 2 Timothy 2:1

4. We are doing all that we know to do, and the promise has not been fulfilled.

Know therefore…that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

John 6:66–69
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
     “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
     Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Small Group Questions

1. How do you handle the heat of summer?
2. Has someone ever broken a promise to you? What happened in your heart in the moment, and why do you think you still remember that event to this day?
3. Which of the 4 challenges have you encountered in your own life? How has God helped you as you struggle?
4. Why do you believe we want so many details about God’s plan for our life? Why do you believe God holds some of those back and asks for trust instead?
5. Read Deuteronomy 7:9 and John 6:66-69 out loud. How can you live out God’s promises today?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?