May God bless the time you spend with Him as you read through this 5-Day Devotional of God’s Promises. These devotions were chosen to draw you closer to God in a welcoming, time considerate fashion, opening up the opportunity for you to dive deeper into your quiet time as your schedule allows.
??DAY ONE??
Hebrews 6:13-20 – God’s Promises
Read Hebrews 6:13-20
Did you know that Abraham waited 25 years from the time God promised to multiply his descendants until he had his first son? That was patience! That was obedience! That was God being true to his word. We can always be sure God will keep his promises.
There are many things in life we can not be sure of. You may have had a life experience when you were trusting in someone or something only to be hurt in some way. It’s not the same with God. I especially like the image of an anchor. “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” We can have confidence in this hope for God will not disappoint. We can be grounded in the truth that God loves us and has our best interest in mind.
God may answer our prayers differently than we pray. We need to be prepared for that because it’s bound to happen. Why? Because God knows best. When our prayers are answered with a “no” or “not now” we often question God. In these times, it’s just as important to trust him and wait for him to act. He knows our hearts and our desires. Sometimes we need to adjust those dreams just a little bit to be in line with God’s will.
The promise God made to us that has yet to be fulfilled is Jesus’ return. We don’t know when this will happen. It has certainly been longer than 25 years, but God’s timing is perfect. He is waiting for just the right moment. In the meantime, we have a hope to cling to. It’s important that we continue to be faithful and worshipful in our time of waiting.
Enjoy the song While I’m Waiting. Listen Here. Powerful. Be moved.
Let’s pray. Lord, I am hopeful and thank you as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. I look forward to that day when I see you face to face. In the meantime, I ask for your help to be faithful in my waiting. Thank you for the peace you give when I turn over my fears and concerns. I know you have my back. What a beautiful promise in itself. I want to be the best servant I can be. Give me a new boldness today as I move forward in your Will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
??DAY TWO??
Haggai 2:10-19 – Receive God’s Blessing
Read Haggai 2:10-19
The Book of Haggai gets specific with its dates more than most Bible prophets. If I were to receive a word from God to share with people like Haggai, I’d want to memorialize the encounter by keeping track of what date that miracle took place. Knowing the date confirms “when” God spoke and makes it easier to remember and celebrate! Like having a birthday – we intentionally celebrate that on a specific date.
God wants us to celebrate him so that he can celebrate us. This prophecy would suggest that God is looking at our actions as well as our inner souls. When was the last time you celebrated God? Maybe you can look back and see his fingerprints over a particular situation. I do that all the time and stand amazed.
This section of the prophecy includes a teachable moment the people will surely relate to. Since returning from exile, they must have been terribly disappointed with their crop yield. Growing up in Iowa, I know how desperately farmers counted on good years to help offset the bad ones. But to have such a string of calamity, that would give the people another reason to want God in their lives. God is good at rescuing his people!
But the blessing comes after the obedience, the kind of obedience God desires from us. We show our obedience when we can step aside and trust God to do what he has promised. Our actions and response to his promises will show God our motivation in life. Is it obedience to God?
Sometimes it’s hard to know what God wants us to do. That’s one thing Haggai’s audience didn’t have to question anymore. They were to rebuild the temple. Haggai’s message came at the perfect time.
God didn’t wait until the temple was finished to shower them with blessings. That tells us God was rewarding their obedience. They had listened to him. The temple foundation was laid and construction underway.
Some of the things God will ask us to do will not have an end date, like when the temple was finished and ready for God. God may want us to change our behavior or our viewpoint on a permanent basis. No matter what, God is eager to bless us. I think we can all do a better job at being eager to please God.
When was the last time you felt a blessing from God? Your blessing may not be a bounty of crops. What would be the perfect blessing for you right now? Perhaps an answered prayer or financial assistance for a big expense you’re facing. Maybe a reconciliation with a loved one or clarity on a life decision.
Does God see an obedient heart when he looks inside you?
Let’s pray. Father God, I know I fall short every day of being truly obedient. Please forgive me. I want you to see my devotion so clearly. The problem is with me not feeling worthy enough of your blessing. I know I am your child, and you love me. Help me to cling to you and be obedient to where you are leading me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
??DAY THREE??
Jeremiah 29:1-23 – God’s Letter to the Exiles
Read Jeremiah 29:1-23
We get a glimpse of God’s plan for the exiles in this letter. This reminds us how closely involved Jeremiah was to the events happening in this moment in history. He wasn’t one of those exiled to Babylon. He was in Jerusalem, presumably expecting (and fearing) all the atrocities he was preaching about. How would that make you feel?
Knowing he was giving the people in exile some hope and direction with this communication had to be fulfilling. It’s exhilarating anytime we’re used by God! In what ways is God using you for his purposes?
Verse 11 is a familiar verse for me. I can remember one of the first greeting cards I got from my husband quoted Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We had just gotten married and were getting used to navigating the challenges of having a blended family.
Now when I read this same verse in context, it is even more powerful. God wrote this promise in his “love letter” to the exiles. He wanted them to get comfortable with their new reality and be fruitful. He gave them this message so they could stop worrying about what was going to happen.
If God tells you everything is going to be fine, you should listen. I’m not sure how the exiles accepted these words. Their lives had likely been turned upside down. They hadn’t done a very good job of listening to God’s prompts before to turn away from their idols. God knew they would continue to encounter many messages not giving them the true assurance and hope God was offering.
Living with a hope like this is something we can all enjoy. Even though this particular promise was first given to the exiles, as believers we can also see how God promises us a wonderful future, too. As the psalmist says in Psalm 39:7, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”
We have been given the Holy Spirit so we can look forward with joy-filled hearts to God’s final destiny for us. Eternal life with him! There will be some bumpy patches along the way for us to endure. If disasters do come, it’s reassuring to know we are never alone. Do you trust God will be with you through it all?
Even though God orchestrated the exile, it was something he allowed for the good of his people. This letter shows God’s compassion, complete with warnings about what to expect and what to avoid. Did you notice God also wanted them to stay connected to him through prayer? “In those days when you pray, I will listen.” They were not abandoned.
Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you? What do you do in those times? God desires a relationship with us. If he seems silent, we have to accept there is a reason. We may never know why our prayers are answered a certain way (yes, no, or wait). I trust God knows best. The important thing is to keep praying!
Let’s pray … Lord, you do always know what is best for me. Help me to be mindful of your direction for my life. Forgive me for being impatient while I wait for you to move. Thank you for always answering my prayers. I know you are beside me. Help me accept the desires of my heart may not be your plan. Help me to trust you more each day and not worry about things I cannot change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
??DAY FOUR??
2 Samuel 7:1-17 – God’s Extravagant Promise
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
David was living comfortably now in a palace, surrounded by his family and household. God had truly brought him to this moment. Yet we sense some discontentment. David told the prophet Nathan, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” Was David feeling a bit guilty perhaps? Nathan was quick to give David a permit to build something grander for God.
Apparently, God didn’t want to be contained. We read the LORD appeared to Nathan that very night with a totally different message. Just like that, Nathan rescinded the building permit he had given David. There was a lot to God’s message that David would need to digest. Nathan was also in the loop having received this profound message. God was in control of his location and was quite content to be in the “tent.” David need only ponder the extravagant promise God had just made.
We can be guilty of wanting to contain God. It’s not a very good idea. It’s impossible for us to do really because our feeble minds can’t even begin to comprehend the majesty of God. We don’t have words or the ability to even describe God. We do best to just be in awe of God.
I had a little chuckle when God told Nathan, “Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders.” People are the ones who grumble. It seems we are never content. If God can be content in a tent, who are we to complain?
We see from this text that God is more interested in making a dynasty for David and what that means for the future of his people. God refers to David as his “servant.” God was going to use David in a mighty way. David already experienced a lot of success. He had seen his foes fall before him. That was all God.
God’s promise was extravagant, and the plan was to build David a house, a kingdom, a dynasty, not the other way around. How will David process this message?
Let’s pray …
Lord, forgive me for those times when I have put limitations on you and your ability to act in my life. I want instead to be totally in awe of you and your many blessings. Your promise to be with us and to never let anything separate us from your love is an extravagant promise I can rely on each day. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
??DAY FIVE??
John 14:1-14 – Jesus is the Only Way
Read John 14:1-14
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. The disciples are a little concerned because they don’t know where Jesus is going. All of this discussion has been so confusing. By now, they should have been clear on who Jesus was. His mission was clear–to seek and save the lost. Yet, it seems, the disciples are still a little unsure.
Jesus also tells us of his Father’s house and how there is plenty of room for all of us. It is so much more than just a mansion in the sky. It is our final destination. And Jesus is preparing a place for us. There is a great song, “Who You Say I Am” I recently heard, and it fits so beautifully here. LISTEN HERE. We are children of God. There are no words to describe the honor!
All we have to do is remember Jesus’ words. He is the way, the only way to God. When we look at Jesus, we see the Father. It’s easy for us being apart from the actual events. But the message is still the same. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We can’t get to God, much less see him face to face, without knowing Jesus first.
Many people want to take the easy way. It’s like they are looking for the “get to heaven free” card. Do you remember the game monopoly and the “get out of jail free” card? Something like that.
But, it’s not like that at all. Jesus had to pay a significant price for us. He shed his blood and gave his life so we could “get to heaven free.” Free and easy for us, all we have to do is believe that Jesus sacrificed himself for us.
That was a huge deal. We’ll see that unfold here in the next couple days/weeks. But for today’s reading, we need to not fear. We need to rest knowing Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. As we stand fearless, we are able to see the truth clearly and understand the intensity of what Jesus did for us.
Jesus is still preparing. The rooms are filling up, but there will always be room. It’s our job to let people know the vacancy sign is always on for them. The more people we tell about Jesus and his life-giving truth, the more people we’ll see in God’s house. There is no limit to the number of rooms. Jesus will keep preparing them for us. What a beautiful image.
Jesus’ promises to us in the last couple of verses are powerful. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
We can ask for help so we can accomplish the same works Jesus did. We certainly can’t do it on our own. But we can heal and we can teach. We can serve and we can preach. We just need to ask for help and guidance in Jesus’ name. If we are looking to bring glory to the Father, we can ask. There is power in Jesus’ name. Do you believe that?
Are you struggling or searching? What are you looking for? What will you do when you find it? Will God be glorified?
Take some time today to focus on what God wants for you, and how you can call on him for his help to accomplish great things.
Let’s pray. Lord, first off I want to thank you for how you are preparing a place for me. It is such a blessed assurance knowing that my final destination is with you and that my place will be ready for me when the time comes. I call on you today to fill me with the power necessary to glorify you in my business. Help me to see and find the people who are searching for answers that only you can provide. Use me to be their source of hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
??May God Bless You??
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