Page 160 - First Steps 2023

That’s just how it works. It’s how he’s set things up and keeps them
in motion.
The object of your faith is Jesus—he’s who you’re trusting.
But you’re also trusting Jesus’ promises—which are substantial. Mas-
sive, actually. Remember, it’s Jesus who said, “You may ask for anything
in my name and I will do it” (John 14:14).
Quite the promise.
But you’ve heard big promises before, haven’t you? Someone has
promised to love you forever and come up short. Promised to never aban-
don you and then headed out the door. Growing up in a world of good
intentions and questionable follow-through, it’s understandable if your
basic instinct is to not trust someone who makes a big promise.
You’ve been fooled before. You’re not about to be fooled again.
So the question arises: Can you trust Jesus—and his Father—to make
good on promises?
Here are three reasons you can risk taking God at his word:

First, he sent his Son to die for you.
God has skin in the game. The Apostle Paul wrote, “He who did not
spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along
with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Second, he’s sent his Spirit to be with us.
Paul wrote, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children
of God” (Romans 8:14). God not only has skin in the game, he’s moved
into the neighborhood. As you experience Jesus through the Spirit, you’ll
feel any doubts that linger diminish.

And third, God has all eternity to fulfill his promises.
Quoting Paul again: “We know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called according to his pur-
pose” (Romans 8:28).
This is good and bad news.
Good, because God’s promises will be kept.
Bad because God is under no obligation to keep them on your time-
line.

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