Don't Just Know God's Promises: Cling to Them

What does it actually look like to cling to the promises of God?

We all know what it's like to cling to something. A child clings to a parent in a crowded place. A rock climber clings to a handhold hundreds of feet above the ground. In a storm, you instinctively grab whatever feels secure. But what does it mean to cling to God's promises?

Many of us assume it means simply remembering a Bible verse. While that's certainly part of it, biblical faith goes much deeper. Clinging to God's promises means choosing to trust what God has said more than what our circumstances seem to be saying. That's exactly what we see throughout the Bible.

God promised Abraham a son long before Isaac was born. He promised David an everlasting kingdom long before Jesus arrived. Between those promises and their fulfillment were years of waiting, disappointment, failure, exile, and silence. There were countless moments when it looked like God had forgotten. But He hadn't.

God has never broken a promise. Not one.

The same is true today. We don't cling to promises because life is easy. We cling to them because life is hard.

So what might that look like this week?

If you're weary…Don't simply tell yourself to "try harder." Hear Jesus say,
"Come to me...and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

If you're anxious…Instead of rehearsing every "what if," remind yourself,
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

If you're feeling weak…Don't believe the lie that God only uses strong people. Remember,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

If guilt keeps following you…Preach the gospel to yourself again: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

If you're facing an uncertain future…Remember, "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good." (Romans 8:28)

If you're lonely…Jesus promises, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

If you're grieving…Hold onto this hope: The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

If you've failed…Remember God's promise: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Here's the key: don't wait until you feel God's promises are true before believing them.  Believe them because the One who made them is faithful. That's what it means to cling.

It means that when fear, grief, guilt, or uncertainty fills your windshield, you intentionally lift your eyes higher. You remind your heart of what God has said until his promises become louder than your circumstances.

Our confidence doesn't rest in our ability to hold onto God perfectly.  It rests in a God who has never let go of his promises. And because of that, we can face this week with confidence, not because life is predictable, but because our confidence rests in God's promise, not our performance.

Pastor Jeremy