Resting in His Promises

Last week, I turned 33 years old. Yesssss!! (Excuse me while I give Him a mighty praise!) 

In recent years, God has given me something to reflect on leading up to my birthday. Did you know the number 33 is associated with promise? So I just came by to share what God placed on my heart – I want to talk about resting in His promises. 

What is a promise? A commitment, declaration, or assurance that something will happen.

Time for a truth check. Why do we wrestle with the idea of promises? Why is it that we cannot simply take God at His word? Maybe we’ve allowed expectations of ourselves or people to sit on the throne of our hearts? Or maybe we’ve allowed past experiences and disappointments to taint what and who we truly believe in?

Let’s visit scripture for a moment and talk about Abraham (Abram). In his old age, God promised him an heir. God promised that his seed would be as numerous as the stars in heaven. Wow! Some promise, right?!

Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 15:5-6, NKJV

If you read a little further in the story, Abraham’s wife Sarah (Sarai), convinced him that he should lay with her servant Hagar, you know, since God was “taking so long”…

So Sarai said to Abram, ‘See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.’ and Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 16:2, NKJV

I can only imagine how they were feeling at this point. Between a rock and a hard place. Wanting to believe and trust God’s timing, but at the same time, wanting to see the manifestation of the promise. 

The waiting gets real…I mean, really real. When it comes to the process – from declaration to manifestation – sometimes we get discouraged and doubtful. Trust me when I say, I feel you. I’ve been there, done that, and worn the t-shirt. Many times.

The promise did eventually come for Abraham and Sara. They conceived a son, Isaac, when Abraham was 100 years old and Sara was 90 (Genesis 21). Although there were some tests and trials along the way, God kept His promise. 

What really blows my mind is that even after all that waiting, Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, all because He trusted God. But God never intended harm for Isaac, He only wanted to check the posture of Abraham’s heart…

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ So he said, ‘Here I am.’ And He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.‘

Genesis 22: 11-12, NKJV

As a result, God established an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants. 

As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

Genesis 17: 4-6, NKJV

What promises are you currently waiting on and believing God for? How many times have you wanted to take short-cuts or to just terminate the process altogether? 

Let me encourage you: Even when it seems the promises are on pause, God is doing the work. We are responsible for resting. Resting completely, whole-heartedly, unashamedly in Him. Resting doesn’t mean we sit around doing nothing, waiting for things to just happen. On the contrary, it means while we wait, we have faith. We follow His lead. Not our intellect, not our emotions, (and for my fellow single brothers and sisters), certainly not our hormones…

How do we rest? By trusting and having faith in God – in who He says He is and what He says about us, His children. By reading and meditating on His Word. By praying and bringing ourselves into alignment with His will. By realizing that the promises are for His glory, not our own. 

Say it with me loudly one time (for the people in the back) – the promises are for His glory, not our own.

God called Abraham righteous for his faith, not his works. We must learn to exercise our faith muscles through obedience, not through striving and performance. 

I have been guilty of taking the scripture “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17) and applying works that were convenient or comfortable for my own benefit. I have been guilty of trying to control outcomes. I have tried making things suitable for my preferences instead of focusing on His purpose. But y’all, this is exhausting…and this level of control yields chaos, confusion, and a bunch of counterfeits. 

There are many promises that have yet to manifest in my life, but I still believe God. I still believe God for a husband and marriage. I still believe God for children of my own. I still believe God will use me in ministry and the marketplace. I still believe God for healing and restoration in my family and friends. I STILL BELIEVE GOD.

Why? Because with God, a promise is a promise. His word never returns to Him empty. If He said it, He will do it. 

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

2nd Corinthians 1:20, NKJV

I could be bitter, but I’d rather be made better. I could complain, but I’d rather remain confident. I could abort the process altogether, but I’d rather be resilient. God has brought me too far to settle for what is comfortable. He has brought me too far to throw a pity party. It has never been about me, because it’s all about Him and what He desires to do for others. 

The trying of my faith is producing patience. It is producing humility, character, and endurance. The journey from declaration to manifestation is producing something that is much bigger than me.

Do you know why Isaac was so special? Because he was connected to the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Abraham’s faith and obedience was connected to a seed that would come thousands of years later, in the form of a Savior and Redeemer. The blameless and holy Lamb of God. The one who at the age of 33 years old, was crucified on the cross, and three days later, rose from the grave with all power in His hands. 

What will your waiting produce? Will you be bold? Will you trust God? Will you rest in His promises? The process may get a little rough sometimes. But in those moments, take a breather and soak yourself in the Word. Choose to rejoice in the now, walk by faith and not by sight. The end result will be well worth it because the best is yet to come.

While we are resting, let’s keep on pressing, glowing, and growing. Let’s do it together, friend. You’re not alone. 

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

James 1: 2-3, AMP

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you’re so good to us. Your grace is sufficient. For where we are weak, you are strong. Forgive us where we have doubted You. Forgive us where we have tried to control the process instead of submitting the process to You. I pray that each person reading this would learn to rest in You. Give them peace that surpasses all earthly understanding. Father, continue to teach us how to meditate on your Word and hide it in our hearts, that we might not sin against You. Show us how to walk by faith, and not by sight. The promises that You have spoken over our lives all point to You. I declare that the chains of pride and unbelief are destroyed, in the name of Jesus. I declare that no weapon formed against us will ever prosper. I declare that Your Word will accomplish everything You sent it to do, in our lives, as well as the lives of others connected to us. I declare that we will not grow weary, but we shall reap and we will not faint. All Your promises are surely Yes and Amen. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28, NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3: 5-6, NKJV