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18 Promises of God’s Word to Cling To
Editor’s Note: the 18 promises offered below are also available as a free PDF download which can be printed and displayed wherever you might see it often so that you can be nourished by the truth of God’s word throughout your day.
Coming to Truly See
When we come to the Bible, we come to truly see. We desperately need spiritual sight (faith)! Much of what we can physically see around us is hard, grievous, and hope-quenching. What our weary souls need more than anything in this world is to see reality God’s way.
This is what the light of the word of Christ does. It illuminates. It shows us his glory. It shows us our need for his glory to be our greatest good, no matter what is happening around us or within us.
Friends, when we come to our Bibles (either privately or with our church family), we come to be reminded of a reality that is more real and powerful than the one visibly surrounding us, of a coming creation that makes the one outside our window pale in comparison, of a kingdom that cannot be shaken by rulers, wars, pandemics, or the stormy doubts inside our hearts. Through God’s word of truth, we come to know and believe and hunger for the God who has made us for himself. Though he is a God we cannot see, he has given us eyes of faith and hearts of hope that are instilled by his words: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).
Where do we gain knowledge about who God is, in all his glory? In his Son, his Word. And how do we “see” the face of Jesus Christ? Through his word, the Bible.
Help for the Hungry Soul
Kristen Wetherell
In Help for the Hungry Soul, author Kristen Wetherell offers 8 encouragements to spur an appetite for God’s word—the only thing that can truly satisfy a soul hungry for more.
Trusting God’s Nourishing Work
What does God promise about the work of his word? What can we trust him for as we obediently seek him in it? Here are a list of promises to cling to as you engage with Scripture (and there are many, many more).
1. God’s Word Is Alive
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
2. God’s Word Gives Wisdom
From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 3:15; see also Prov. 2:6–7)
3. God’s Word Equips Us for Good Works
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16–17)
4. God’s Word Is Purposeful
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa. 55:10–11)
5. God’s Word Makes Us Holy
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)
6. God’s Word Brings Blessing
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night. (Ps. 1:1–2; see also Prov. 2:20)
7. God’s Word Cannot Fail
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. (Josh. 21:45)
8. God’s Word Is a Safe Place
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (2 Sam. 22:31; see also Ps. 18:30)
9. God’s Word Brings Comfort
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life. (Ps. 119:50)
10. God’s Word Gives Peace
Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble. (Ps. 119:165)
Through God’s word of truth, we come to know and believe and hunger for the God who has made us for himself.
11. God’s Word Instructs and Leads
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way. (Ps. 25:8–9)
12. God’s Word Gives Understanding
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple. (Ps. 119:130)
13. God’s Word Kills Sin and Defeats Evil
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes. (Ps. 81:13–14)
14. God’s Word Brings Confidence
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Ps. 16:7–8)
15. God’s Word Gives Joy
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart. (Ps. 19:8)
16. God’s Word Creates and Sustains
He upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb. 1:3)
17. God’s Word Protects
The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand. (Ps. 37:23–24)
18. God’s Word Brings Life
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life. (Prov. 4:13)
This article is adapted from Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word by Kristen Wetherell.
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