Session 7

God’s promises never fail

From Trusting God’s Promises: A 7-Day Devotional

It’s a verse we’ve all heard, or at least seen on Etsy and Pinterest: “Blessed is she who believes that the Lord will fulfill His promises to her!” (Luke 1:45). 

We love to hear stories like Mary’s, stories of God’s promises fulfilled. We know God is good, and His promises are true. But what happens when we don’t see what we hope for unfold the way we thought it would? 

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that “we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” God’s plans do not have to conform to our expectations. No matter how good the plans we make for ourselves are, God wants to move us to greater things. 

For example, the desire to get married or have kids is a good, holy desire. But what if God’s slowness in fulfilling that promise is His way of giving you a greater gift? What if what He wants to give you is the knowledge that no love is greater than His?

Likewise, the desire to work hard and provide is a good, holy desire. But what if instead of your dream job or promotion, God wants to fill you with purpose that will outlast any position?

What God wants for our lives is always better than the goals and dreams we could imagine for ourselves. Instead of focusing on when God’s promise will be fulfilled, try focusing on what God is teaching you as you wait. 

If we have faith that God holds our eternity, we can have faith that He holds our everyday.

God never stops working for our good — no matter how much time goes by. If we have faith that God holds our eternity, we can have faith that He holds our everyday. 

When things don’t go as we plan, hope for, or pray for, we can rest in the assurance of knowing God’s promises never fail us. We watch in hope for the Lord, waiting for our Savior, knowing He will hear us (Micah 7:7). 

Reflect:

• How do you respond when things don’t go as you planned? 
• Looking back, can you think of a situation where you’re thankful that things happened in God’s timing and not yours? 
• Is there a promise you’re still waiting to see fulfilled? How has waiting affected your trust in God? Be honest. He can take it.