Christmas Devotions – December 29th

Scripture: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” – 1 John 5:11

Observation: John is explaining the relationship believers have with God and how that relationship impacts our lives, both now and eternally.

Application: Mary Poppins described certain promises as being “pie crust promises.” They were easily made and easily broken. When you’re on the receiving end of one of those broken promises, it can be devastating! It is so comforting to know that when God makes a promise, He keeps it! There are no promises in the Bible in which God has broken; He makes no pie crust promises!

In Genesis, God promised us a Saviour, when He spoke to the enemy, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (3:15). He kept that promise.

In Genesis 9, God promised this to Noah, “And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.” (9:11). He kept that promise.

In Exodus, God promised to deliver His people from Egyptian slavery, “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;” (3:8). He kept that promise.

In Deuteronomy, God promised a land to His people, “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.” (31:7). He kept that promise.

With the knowledge that God has always kept His Word, we have the assurance that He will keep every other promise that is yet to be fulfilled. Here are a few promises whose fulfillment we can anticipate.

God has promised us eternity with Him when we place our faith and trust in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) He WILL keep this promise.

Jesus has promised to forgive us of our sins, “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) He WILL keep this promise.

Jesus promised He would come again for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) He WILL keep this promise.

These promises… resolutions, if you will… that God has recorded in His Word will be kept. There is no doubt to that, however, the timing for their fulfillment is for God to determine. Psalm 27:14 reminds us, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

2026 could be the year that all of God’s promises are fulfilled for our lives! Let’s be ready!

Prayer: O Father in heaven, what an amazing God You are! Thank You that You are faithful to Your Word, and Your promises are sure! What a comfort to my heart and soul to know that I can stand upon Your Word, knowing there is no error in it! My hope is found in Your Word. Thank You so much that I live in a place where I can have a Bible in my hand and can worship You freely, go to church and hear Your Word preached without fear of persecution. What a sweet, holy, merciful God You are! Thank You for my life in You! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!
Through eternal ages let His praises ring.
"Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail!
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. 

(from “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter)

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 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” – Acts 2:38-39