Hope FirstSample

God’s All-The-Way Promises

Have you ever lied to be polite? The kind of lie when someone asks if you’re going to an event and you politely say, “Yeah, I’ll be there” when you might not? Or have you ever told a friend that you'd “always be there” for them? You don’t mean this literally, but you say it to symbolize your deep love and loyalty. 

Many of us know this feeling of making well-intentioned, half-way promises: promises made symbolically, politely, but without intent/assurance of full execution. When we’re in times of despair, the last thing we want is a halfway promise. We want real help. Times of hardship, depression, and loss can feel painfully endless. It’s hard for us to see a way out and even harder to see a way through.

Who can help?

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God is ever-present. In Hebrew, the word “ever” means “exceedingly, up to abundance, to a great degree”. As in, God couldn’t be any MORE present. When we are in trouble, God is exceedingly, abundantly helpful to us, to a great degree. When we are out of breath, God knows when we are scared, He knows when we are overwhelmed. And He knows how to help.

He is wholly, exceedingly, abundantly present. 

“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath” (Psalm 34:18, The Message). God knows where we hurt, when we hurt, and what we need. He is exceedingly present and ready to help. We can turn to Him first and receive an abundance of love, comfort, and strength. We don’t have to worry about being forgotten, misunderstood, or misled. Our Father is there, helping us mend our broken hearts, being a shelter during the storm. 

We can be assured of this because God’s promises are never halfway. Numbers 23:19 confirms, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Our God is true to His promises - what He says will always come to be. Our help is here.

PRAYER

God, 

Thank You for being with me right now. Thank You for knowing exactly what I need, when I need it. I can live with confidence because You are always with me. Even though storms may come, I know that You will guide me through in Jesus’ name, Amen.