The Promises of Milk and Honey
Rediscover the One Who Keeps His Words
by
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Chapter 1 Promise Guaranteed “Promises, promises.” No doubt you’ve heard this phrase uttered with sarcasm because the speaker is unsure of the validity of promises after being often disappointed. Broken promises hurt. A broken promise can bring disappointment, distrust, and sadness. A broken promise has the potential to sever relationships, bring heartache, and wound deeply. People will disappoint us and let us down. We may hear a person say, “I know I promised, but I’m sorry, I can’t do what I promised.” There is anger at the promise-breaker and shame that we trusted them. We lash out, crawl away, or pretend we didn’t really care. Why? Broken promises, big or small, corrode trust. And without trust in a relationship, there is no feeling of emotional safety. Do not add to the pain of your blame; take comfort in the character of God. You can trust the promises found in the Word of God—they are solid and immense, and we can stand on them forever (Luke 6:47–48). The Lord is not negligent in fulfilling His promises. When He makes a promise, He keeps it. He is the only one in the universe who is a loyal and reliable promise keeper. So what is it that He promises? We can expect all the promises of the Lord to be yes and amen in Christ! His promises are guaranteed. God has seen fit to confirm His promises with an oath. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore upon himself, saying, “Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants…” ( Genesis 22:17 KJV) And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:13–15 NIV) While this message was originally meant for persecuted Jewish Christians, the theme is relevant to all believers. The author is not trying to connect you to your dreams but to God’s. He wants you to know the promise God made to Abraham is one Christians are recipients of today. We are meant to believe the promise Abraham believed. If we understand the promise God made to Abraham, we will have an anchor for our lives today. The promises from God became ours at the moment of our salvation, so we would have everything we need for life and godliness. God’s promises not only remind us of His care and love for us, but also provide hope and encouragement during tough times. A biblical promise is a declaration of God’s intention to graciously bestow a gift on an individual or a group of people. Promises are not given without a plan that involves faith and responsibility, though many times we must wait for the promises to be revealed. A biblical promise is a declaration of God’s intention to graciously bestow a gift on an individual or a group of people. When God promises something, it will always come to pass, even if it takes a long time. No matter how long you’ve been waiting, something is coming for you as a believer. God guarantees it. You can take it to the bank. God is so certain about it, so determined to do it, and so committed to His own purposes that He made a “deposit” in us that guarantees “what is to come.” This promise is found in 2 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV): “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” The Christian life sometimes includes long waits for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Nevertheless, God will fulfill the words that He spoke over your life. Many times, when we don’t see God’s promises over our lives manifest, we want to give up and move on. Disappointment sets in, and we want to stop believing because it hurts. Then, to top it off, we have been conditioned by the world that we can get things instantly, and we assume that God works that way. God keeps His promises, and although we may not see them manifest immediately, we can trust that He is at work in our lives. God will complete His work, but God sometimes fulfills His promises in ways we could never have imagined. At times, the Lord has used methods we can easily understand. He sent His people into battle with a promise of victory, and He gave them strength and strategy to overcome their enemies. On other occasions, He did the unexpected. He defeated Pharaoh’s army as they pursued the escaping Israelites (Exodus 14). He caused the walls of Jericho to collapse (Joshua 6). The angel of the Lord destroyed 185,000 Assyrians (2 Kings 19:35). God will sometimes fulfill His promises in unexpected and supernatural ways. While we try to figure out how God is going to answer a prayer or fulfill His promises, He is powerfully working out His plans behind the scenes and in ways that we may not comprehend. It should not surprise us that in the book of Isaiah, the Lord described our inability to understand His methods: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8–9 NIV). Although His reasons may elude us and His methods may surprise us, God always fulfills His promises. As the apostle Paul said, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV). We can always have absolute confidence in God to do what He says He will do. We can trust Him to come through because God is faithful. This is based on His character as God: God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19 NLT) It is contrary to God’s divine nature to lie or to make an empty promise. God is not only a promise-giver, He is also a promise keeper. He is rock-solid and consistent when it comes to keeping His Word. And it will be accomplished through His sovereignty. God is the guarantee of those promises; they are being fulfilled in Him. He wants us to agree that His promises are for us, and they will come to pass. Remember, God is a promise keeper, not a promise breaker. Whatever He promises, He has the ability and power to bring to pass.
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About the Book
Although a promise from God changes everything, many people have spoken contrary to His word. There is power in our words, and what we believe matters. What we believe (and speak) is what we receive (have). Seasoned Bible teacher and uplifting speaker Barbara Bryant encourages believers to take God’s medicine (His Word), repeat it silently several times daily, and affirm God’s promises in their lives. While authentically offering practical advice, inspirational life principles, and strong biblical context, she provides the perfect resource for Christians who need to hold fast, wait on the promise, and continue believing. Through her guidance, believers’ lives will be enriched, blessed, and encouraged as she shares God’s provision (milk and honey) and how it serves as a reminder of His faithfulness to His covenant and His commitment to bless His people. The Promises of Milk and Honey blends wisdom, life principles, and biblical inspiration to explore the importance of connecting our everyday lives to the promise.
About the Author
Barbara Bryant is a sought-out Bible teacher whose public speaking engagements take her across the United States. She is the author of the bestselling book, I’m Not Every Woman, and the founder of the I’m Not Every Woman conference. Barbara’s passion is to see believers become committed followers of Christ and equip women to transform into who they were created to be. Connect with Barbara on social media @barbarabryant.