Promises of God – His Encouragement

Promises of God – His Encouragement

An unwritten promise – wherein the very word of God encourages us as often as we read it.

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

God promises continual support for his people, particularly when they become weary, depressed or disillusioned.

To encourage is to give words that will produce courage in someone. Let me offer a few encouraging words from the Word of God.

1. Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

a. Let us be encouraged by knowing that the thoughts God has for us are thoughts of PEACE, and not EVIL.

b. Many modern versions want to build a whole Prosperity Gospel around this one verse.

i. The Lexham English Bible uses welfare while the ESV uses prosperity. The use of these two words adds confusion to the understanding of God’s word, though both are on some level legitimate translations. The book of Jeremiah is a book of Judgment against the children of Israel, and reconciliation unto God.

2. Psalms 34:4 - I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

a. This takes us back to the promise of God’s salvation/deliverance, but how encouraging it is to know that when we cry out, God hears.

3. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

a. This is another place that self-examination comes into play. What are my words and works, and are they good?

4. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

a. That’s an encouraging word, and we have work to do - that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We are even commanded to be encouraged.

5. Joshua 1:6-8 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

a. Meditation is the key to God’s encouragement.

6. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

a. The New Testament version of the Old Testament’s “be strong and of good courage.”

b. Don’t faint in the face of adversity.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13.