Parameters for Promise
This past week, as I have been reading through the book of Numbers, a biblical principle has become clear to me: There are always parameters for the Promises of God. So often we hear “mature Christians” and even pastors preaching on the promises of God, that they are there for us to claim at any time. But do we hear the parameters that surround those promises? I’d venture to say not often. I was struck by this principle as I’ve been reading through the book of Numbers, and was prompted to study various promises throughout the Word of God. All throughout the Bible, God has given His people promises: promises of hope, of restoration, of provision, of promised land, of joy, of comfort, of peace, of power, of victory, of a Savior, of eternal life…the list goes on and on. And we as American Christians take almost an entitlement approach to them: God said it, so I deserve it. But that’s not the heart of a humble servant to God Almighty. That’s not the heart of a recipient of His grace. I propose we instead say: God said it, I believe it and I will follow because it is only through His grace that I can receive this promise (whatever it may be).
When I was a young girl, coming to the age of 16, I remember my parents promising me a car. But there was a parameter for that promise: From that point until my 16th birthday I had to do well in school, get good grades and show that I was responsible. You see, I had a choice. I held they keys to the promise in my hand. The promise was made, but it was up to me to abide within the parameters set by the giver of the promise – my parents – and thus to fulfill my part in the promise. And I did receive the promise of a new car on my 16th birthday, because I chose to abide within the parameters of the promise.
In the same way, God always has parameters for his promises. Often in the Bible, those parameters are phrased in such as way as to make them obvious “If you do this, then I (God) will do that“. A few of the promises we see phrased in this manner are found below.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chron 7:14 (ESV)
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9 (ESV)
“If we confess our sins, (then) he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
There are other promises we find in the Word of God that are not so obvious. But when you carefully read the text, you come to an understanding of the parameters for promise.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:10-11 (ESV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” - James 1: (ESV)
When read carefully, studying the verbiage of these passages, it becomes clear that yes there are promises found in the Word of God, but it is the responsibility of you and I to abide within the specified parameters of each promise in order to obtain the promise(s) of God for our lives. Let us never forget that we serve a Great God, one who has plans for us, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jer 29:11).
