Devotional: God’s Promises

[I have enjoyed the Morning and Evening devotionals of the late 1800’s Particular Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, but find them a bit archaic in presentation. So I have re-written them in more modern fashion for modern ears, in some cases even modifying them.

… exceedingly great and precious promises. (2 Peter 1:4)

If you would know experientially the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the winepress; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the prelude to their fulfilment. While you are musing upon them, the boon which you are seeking will come to you without effort. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise has found the favor which it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart.

But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in your soul to receive them as being the very words of God. Speak to your soul thus, “If I were dealing with a man’s promise, I should carefully consider the ability and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the mercy–that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the promiser–that will cheer me.” My soul, it is God, even your God, God who cannot lie, who speaks to you. This word of his which you are now considering is as true as His own existence. He is a God unchangeable. He has not altered the thing which has gone out of his mouth, nor called back one single consoling sentence. Nor does he lack any power; it is the God who made the heavens and the earth who has spoken thus. Nor can he fail in wisdom as to the time when he will bestow the favors, for he knows when it is best to give and when better to withhold. Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful, so wise, I will and must believe the promise. If we thus meditate upon the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness and obtain their fulfilment.