2 Peter 1:4 states that through God’s glory and excellence, He has granted believers “exceedingly great and precious promises” so that through them, we can share in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. Let’s explore some of these amazing promises that God has given us.
The Promise of Eternal Life
One of the most precious promises mentioned in the Bible is the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Those who put their faith in Christ are promised the gift of eternal life with God in heaven. This life begins when we put our trust in Jesus and continues on for eternity after our physical death here on earth (John 11:25-26).
The promise of eternal life is so precious because it secures our hope for a future beyond this temporary world. Life on earth is fleeting, but God promises us eternal life through the death and resurrection of His Son. This promise alone is enough for us to cling to Jesus in faith. As 1 John 2:25 states, “And this is the promise that he made to us – eternal life.”
The Promise of Forgiveness
Another exceedingly great promise we have as believers is the complete forgiveness of our sins. Though we all stumble and fall short of God’s perfect standard for holiness (Romans 3:23), He promises to forgive our sins because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Through God’s grace and mercy, He no longer counts our sins against us. Our offenses have been wiped away, nailed to the cross with Jesus (Colossians 2:14). This allows us to have peace and be reconciled with God. As Psalm 103:12 declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” What an exceedingly great promise to know we are totally forgiven!
The Promise of God’s Presence
God does not leave His children alone in this world to fend for themselves. He has promised His continual presence through the Holy Spirit living within believers. Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” The Holy Spirit guides, convicts, comforts, and empowers us.
With the Spirit inside us, we are never alone because God is always present (Hebrews 13:5). He will never abandon His people. What a precious promise to have God’s powerful presence living in us as we follow Him!
The Promise of Victory
Living in a fallen world, we will face troubles, trials, and spiritual attacks from the enemy. But God does not leave us defenseless. He has promised victory over sin and the schemes of the devil through Christ’s power in us. Romans 8:37 declares, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
We can overcome sinful addictions, withstand temptation, and stand firm against the enemy because we have the Spirit’s help. The Bible promises that God will always provide the way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We can walk in victory when we rely on His strength.
The Promise of God’s Guidance
Life often brings uncertainty and difficult decisions that leave us wondering which path to take. Yet God loves His children too much to leave them confused. He has promised to instruct and teach us, guiding us in the right way. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).
Through prayer, the Scriptures, and the inner prompting of the Spirit, God leads His people down the best path. Though the way may sometimes look unclear, we can trust the promise that He will make our paths straight as we submit our lives to Christ day by day (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Promise of Hope
When tragedy strikes or we experience deep pain and suffering, it can be tempting to abandon hope. Yet for the follower of Christ, the Bible offers the promise of hope to anchor our souls even in the most stormy of times. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain” (Hebrews 6:19).
Because of God’s promises, we have hope for eternity with Him, for the resurrection of our bodies, and for the new creation where all wrongs will be made right. We can persevere knowing our present troubles are temporary, but our future hope in Christ is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
The Promise of God’s Provision
Of course, living on earth requires resources and provision to sustain our bodies and lives. God promises His children that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). He cared for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and promises to provide far more for those created in His image (Matthew 6:26-33).
This promise frees us from anxiety about having enough. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need, and we can trust Him to give generously as we seek His kingdom above all. We can be content in whatever circumstances because we know God will provide.
The Promise of God’s Strength
Hardships and trials will inevitably come our way while living on earth, and sometimes the challenges seem too heavy for us to endure on our own strength. Praise God that He promises to be our source of strength and a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). “The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed” (Psalm 28:8).
In our weakest moments, God’s strength is made perfect when we turn to Him. He renews and refreshes those who wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). His power working through us enables us to faithfully walk through every struggle knowing He will lift us up.
The Promise of God’s Faithfulness
One of the greatest promises covering all the others is that God Himself will remain faithful to His people forever. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
No matter how many times we stumble, He remains faithful to forgive over and over. When we are faithless, He keeps His promises (2 Timothy 2:13). God does not lie or change His mind like humans. His promises are “Yes!” and “Amen!” in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). We can depend on His complete faithfulness.
The Promise of Living with God Forever
The greatest promise of all is that those who place their faith in Christ will spend eternity living in God’s presence. We will be united with Him in the new creation, free from sin and death forever. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3).
Heaven will be marked by God’s immediate presence, fellowship with Him face-to-face, and the eternal pleasures of worshipping and serving Him without hindrance. As God’s dearly loved children, we have an unfathomable hope. This amazingly good promise is made possible only by God’s grace through Jesus.
Conclusion
The Bible overflows with God’s precious and magnificent promises to all who trust in Him. These promises reveal His character, confirm His purposes, give us confident hope, and equip us to live godly lives here on earth in joyful anticipation of eternity. Fixing our eyes on the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises transforms how we view our struggles and fuels us to walk each day in dependence on Christ.
May we treasure these exceedingly great promises from God’s Word, cling tightly to them in faith, find our satisfaction in Jesus above all else, and live to proclaim the glory of God to all nations. For every promise finds its fulfillment in the life, death, resurrection, and return of the Lord Jesus Christ!