For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor. 1:20
Last month we began a two part Bible study of God's promises. We learned there are over 7,500 promises by God to mankind. We looked at the words for promise in the Bible, provisions of the promises, promises about afflictions and promises about physical life.
This month we conclude our brief study with a look at promises about daily life and promises concerning prayer, We pray this meditation upon God's Word will bless you and those with whom you may share it.
Promises About Daily Life
1. Promises about sleep
Eccl.5:12 - sleep of a laboring man sweet
Ezekiel 34:25 - dwell safely and sleep in the woods
Proverbs 3:24 - sleep shall be sweet
Psalm 121:4 - He that keeps Israel never sleeps
Psalm 127:2 - He gives his beloved in sleep
Proverbs 20:13 -love not sleep, lest you come to poverty
I Thess.5:7 - they that sleep, sleep in the night
I Corinthians 15:6 - but some have fallen asleep
2. Promises about accidents
Ruth 2:3 - as it turned out
Luke 10:31 - a certain priest happened to be going
Prov. 16:33 - lot into lap, but every decision is from Lord
Gen.45:4-15 - God sent me ahead to preserve your life
Rom.8:28 - all things work together for good to those who love God
Promises concerning Prayer
In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Psalm 11.
The answer to this ancient doubter is given in the same Psalm and in many other places of the Bible. The righteous can pray: "Upright men will see his face."
Matthew 7:7-11 - Ask, seek and knock.
Philippians 4:6 - Let the Lord know your desires
I Thessalonians 5:17,18 - Pray without ceasing
Hebrews 4:16 - Pray boldly
Hebrews 11:6 - Believe in His rewards
James 1:5-7 -Ask in faith
James 4:8 - Draw near and He will too
James 5:16 - Effectual prayer
Luke 11 - Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. "
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
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The Holy Spirit is indeed the best of all the gifts. It is the Spirit who has called us to faith in our Baptism. It is the Spirit who continues to call us to die with Christ and rise again daily to a new life. It is the Spirit who strengthens our faith in the Lord's Supper. It is the Spirit who grants us gifts to share with those around us, enabling us to serve and care for one another in body and spirit. It is the Spirit who works through the Word of God to sustain and encourage us until that day we enter into the glory of God in the Father's house.
All these and many more are the promises of God's Word.
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