God’s Nuanced Promises

This month at Goshen we’re immersing ourselves in the Bible’s promises (see goshenbaptist.org/31-Days-Of-Prayer---January-2021).  And with all the tumult and turbulence here in the early days of 2021, it’s a great time to fall back on God’s strong Word.

A careful reading of Bible promises, however, prevents us from expecting the Christian life simply to be smooth sailing.  When we read Scripture in context, we get what you might call a nuanced message showing that Christian experience includes both solace and hardship.  Promised blessings are packaged together with humbling, refining trials in which we learn to practice faith.

Jesus said the life of discipleship to which he calls us is a kind of daily dying:  “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For who­ever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).  But notice:  self-denial isn’t an end in itself but the pathway of faith in Christ which leads to “life.”

Jesus mingles promise and warning again in John 16:33:  “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He promises peace; he is victorious so we should take heart—be hopeful.  And yet, at the same time Jesus is soberly realistic:  this side of heaven we will, and we do, face tribulation.

And then there’s Hebrews 13:5:  “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” God promises us the treasure of his perfect presence (which is far more valuable than all the money in the world).  But in the context of 13:5 we’re also reminded that God’s presence doesn’t insulate us from affliction:  some of God’s not-forsaken loved ones are in prison (13:3).

So, set your promise expectations according to God’s Word:  trust him as he provides us with both blessing and trial, for our good.