promises

As a new year begins, I see possibility. We have a whole new year ahead of us that holds promise and possibility.  Some may look back at the year before and recall good times and bad times. It may have been a rough year or a good year. It may have held joy and pain. But a new year is upon us. As I laid down on the last night of the year,  I felt like God was speaking to my heart about His promises. I was reminded of all the promises His Word holds for us. I am excited to renew my desire to read through the Bible and hold on to His promises for me and for all of us who seek Him.

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV

He is faithful and just. His word will be done. God has promises for all of us.  I know when I trust in His promises, it will take place just as he said.  I think about David being anointed king of Israel long before he was actually placed in the position of king. He had a promise in word only. He had to live in that promise, trust that promise and hold onto the Word of God as his life was threatened and as he hid from Saul. He encouraged himself when he felt alone. David had a promise.  He knew God had a plan and a promise for his life. He could have given up. He could have become frustrated or angry with God.  Even when he couldn't see how it would work out, he kept his eyes on the promise of God. He walked through trouble and trial. Some times seemed hopeless and that all would be lost, but David held on to the promise in faith.

We need to keep our eyes on the promise of God. He has plans for us to walk in. He has set out a path for us. Even when we cannot see how it will work out or may feel all alone, keep our eyes on the promise. We may not see the answer to our problems. We may be tempted to give up, feel hopeless or frustrated,   But God says He has a promise. He will not give up on us. He will not go back on His word. He will fulfill His promises.

As I woke up the next morning, the following verse came to my remembrance:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 KJV

We need to keep our eyes on the prize of His calling.  We need to press in and press on as we have great promises. Our faith needs to be set in action and motion needs to take place. We can miss out on promises when we do not put our faith in action. Pressing toward a mark means we are taking action. I cannot press toward something without actually moving or acting upon my belief or faith.  We must put our faith into action and move forward toward the goal, or mark. We have a calling and a prize. God has promises to apply to our lives as we move and apply our faith in Him.

We all have promises from God for physical and spiritual needs. We have promises in His Word and promises He has spoken to us from ministry or spoken to our hearts as we poured out our desires to Him. We can find peace in knowing He will fulfill His promise. And as David kept his eyes on the promise, we can live in the promise, act on the promise, take that next step forward, live in faith. This is a new year in which we can claim the promises of God in our lives. We have expectation and promise from our Lord. We have a new year to look forward and press forward in the promises of God. May we all keep our eyes on the promises and press on to that mark. There is more in Jesus for your life. Press on, keep faith, take that step forward. Claim the promises of God.