By Les Morgan, D.Min.

          The Bible is the most amazing book ever written in the history of the world. It is the inspired, infallible and inerrant word of God. Though many have attempted to dismiss it from cultures in various countries, the Bible continues to impact people of all lands unlike any other volume.

          Consider this – according to statistics from Wycliffe International, the Society of Gideons and the International Bible Society, 168,000 Bibles are sold, given or distributed in the US every day! The Bible can be read aloud in approximately 70 hours. It contains 1,189 verses, 6,468 commands, 3,268 verses of fulfilled prophecy and 3,294 questions.

          More importantly, the Bible contains 3,500 promises! When one thinks of a promise being given and stated there is an assurance granted by one person to another. A promise is the reasonable ground upon which we expect something to be done. The promises of God is the foundation of our faith. “For no matter how many promises God has made they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Cor 1:20). Titus 1:2 says “our God is not a liar” and, therefore what he promises will be delivered!

          Now, we’ve all been disappointed by broken promises. “Daddy, do all fairy tales begin with the words, ‘Once upon a time?” a little girl asked. “No,” he replied the wise dad, “A whole lot of them begin with the words ‘If elected, I promise.'”

          The good news is God is not running for election. He has no campaign He is competing in over an equally comparable opponent. He is a promise maker and a promise keeper!

          What does this mean? First, it means that God gives the promises. They are based on the character of God who is faithful and true. God, the Bible says, is of such an impeccable character that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb 6:18). Our God is faithful. “For he who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23).

          The phrase, “Yes in Christ” means Jesus guarantees the promise. The promises are yes “in Christ.” Spiritual promises are grounded in the ministry of Jesus Christ for the salvation for our sins 1 Peter 3:18-22). I know I’m forgiven because Christ died for my sins (1 John 1:7-9. I know I have eternal life because He rose again (Romans 10:9-10). I know I am saved because He promised eternal life (1 John 5:13). I know I am reconciled to God because He made peace through the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). I know I can come to God with confidence because He lives to make intercession for me (Hebrews 4:12-15). I know I can do all things because He strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I know I can make it through life’s difficulties because His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 10:9-12). I know I can survive hard times because He will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

          The promises are yes to me because I believe in Him. The phrase “in Christ” appears 172 times in Paul’s writings to speak of our relationship to Him. “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17).

          It is as the song writer said so long ago and these words have endured the test of time, “My faith is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the strongest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name! On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.