#524: Have You Given Up on The Promise of God Prematurely?

Is your life all that God intended it to be? Or have you given up on the promise of God prematurely?

I ask because a Bible verse caught my eye as I was studying Genesis recently. Occasionally, I’ll read a verse that raises a question I must investigate; to learn more about. Then, in a flash, my inquisitive mind goes down a rabbit hole to discover what new truths I can uncover.

God’s Covenant Promise with Abraham

The verse in question is a conversation between God and Abraham. God made a covenant with Abraham saying,

“To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Admonites Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” (Genesis 15:18-21)

Reading this, I wondered, where were all these lands? It’s not like I can find them in a modern-day atlas. So, I looked through all my resources and found this map depicting the boundaries of the lands God promised Abraham.

In my research, I found one source that said the land God promised the Israelites amounted to approximately 300,000 square miles. Yet, looking at the land the Israelites controlled during the time of David and Solomon, we see that at its largest, the nation of Israel held only about 30,000 square miles or one-tenth of what God promised them!

The Nature of God’s Promise

What happened? Why did the Israelites settle for a fraction of what God promised them? I believe a combination of three things caused the Israelites to give up on the promise of God prematurely. First, they grew impatient, not understanding God’s timing. Second, God’s promise may not have come as they expected. And third, they may not have anticipated the trials or difficulty securing the land.

The same three things also cause us to give up on the promises of God prematurely.

God’s Promise Is Not Always Immediate

First, the timing of God’s promise is often misunderstood. We may expect that as soon as we pray for something or make a request, it will be granted immediately. However, this is only sometimes the case. God’s timing is not the same as our timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

God’s promise may not be immediate, but it is always on time. Therefore, trust that God’s promise will come in His timing and not our own.

God’s Promise Is Not Always in The Form We Expect

Second, God’s promise is not always in the form we expect. We may have a specific idea of what the promise should look like, but it may come completely differently.

In Isaiah 55:8-9, it says,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Trust that God’s promise will come in a way that is best for us, even if it doesn’t match our expectations.

God’s Promise Is Not Always Without Trial or Difficulty

Third, another aspect of the nature of God’s promise is that it is not always without trial or difficulty. We may expect everything to be easy and smooth sailing once we receive the promise. However, this is only sometimes the case.

In John 16:33, Jesus says,

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We should not be surprised when we encounter difficulties. However, we can trust that God’s promise is still true and that he will see us through.

Trust In God’s Timing

Trusting in God’s timing is essential when waiting for his promise. Patience is a virtue that is often hard to come by, but it is crucial when waiting on God’s promise. Trust that God’s timing is perfect and that he will bring his promise to pass in due time.

Paul, in Romans 8:25, says,

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Waiting on God’s promise can be difficult, but the personal growth and blessings from waiting are worth it.

The author of Psalm 126:5-6 says.

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes without weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”

Despite enduring trials, persevering through difficulties will result in personal growth and blessing from God.

In addition to trusting in God’s timing, it’s important to understand that God’s timing is always perfect. He is not limited by time or space and knows precisely when the promise should be fulfilled.

In 2 Peter 3:8-9, Peter writes,

“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Trust that God’s timing is perfect and that He will bring the promise to pass in due time.

Overcoming Obstacles to Trusting in God’s Promise

Despite the importance of trusting in God’s promise, many people prematurely give up on His promise because of personal doubts and fears, societal and cultural pressures, and a lack of support or discouragement.

Personal Doubts and Fears

Personal doubts and fears can lead us to doubt God’s promise and give up too soon.

In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul says,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Personal doubts and fears are bound to arise whenever we feel a promise of God is not forthcoming. However, we should respond to the doubts and fears by taking them to God in prayer, where we will receive His peace and comfort.

Societal and Cultural Pressures

Societal and cultural pressures often cause us to prematurely give up on God’s promises.

But Paul, in Colossians 2:8, says.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

We must be diligent in recognizing and overcoming the societal and cultural pressures in our lives, so we can fully trust in God and His promises.

Lack of Support or Encouragement

While waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise, it is only natural to become discouraged. When we feel discouraged, we need to find support and encouragement from others who understand the importance of not giving up on God’s promise.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says,

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Support and encouragement from others who understand the importance of not giving up on God’s promises can be invaluable in helping us to maintain our faith and hope in His plan for our lives.

Never Give Up on the Promise of God

Despite the importance of trusting in God’s promise, many people prematurely give up on His promise. However, understanding the nature of God’s promise and learning to trust in His timing can lead to personal growth, blessings, and fulfillment in our lives.

Paul, this time writing to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says,

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and never give up on the promises of God!

Discussion Questions

These questions can serve as a useful framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.

1. What is the significance of God's promise to Abraham, and how can it be applied to leaders' business lives?
2. Why did the Israelites settle for a fraction of what God promised them, and how can leaders learn from their mistakes?
3. How does God's timing differ from our own, and how can leaders learn to trust in it?
4. What does it mean that God's promise is not always in the form we expect, and how can leaders apply this lesson to their lives?
5. How can leaders overcome obstacles to trusting in God's promise, and what benefits can they receive by persevering through difficulties?

More Articles

I have written several articles about our dependence on God. You can find them by typing “Dependence on God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.

• #500: Do You Take God to Work with You on Monday Morning?
• #490: Do You Know How to Handle a Disheartening Trial in Life?
• #489: Are You Listening to A Shouting Crowd or Jesus?
• #462: 7 Reasons to Have Hope in The Face of Uncertainty!
• #434: Will God Use Me Even If I’m Not Perfect?

Join the Conversation

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you ever felt like giving up on the promise of God in your life? How did you overcome the doubts and fears that His promise would go unfulfilled?

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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God