Welcome to 2026 (3) By Babatunde Olugboji
As we conclude this mini-series, may I remind you that whatever God will do in your life this year will be as a result of his grace, not your efforts. So, what is grace? It is God’s divine commitment to fulfill his word, his declaration of what he will do, grounded in his character and often embedded in covenant.
What God’s promises reveal about him.
1. That he is faithful and unchangeable: (Numbers 23:19)
2. That his promises are grace-based. God binds himself to his people (Genesis 12:1–3)
3. That his promises are Christ-centered: “All the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
4. That they are Holy Spirit-empowered: The Father’s “promise” is the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4; Galatians 3:14).
How do we receive these promises?
• By faith and patience, not by law or striving. Hebrew 6:12: We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
• Through obedience. John 15:7: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
• In the midst of a community of believers. Acts 2:39: The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
• The promise, including the gift of the Holy Spirit, salvation, fulfilling of Old Testament prophecies is for all who repent and believe, both Jews and Gentiles, extending beyond the initial listeners to “all who are far off, “ including today’s believers.
Key Aspects of Biblical Promises
• Divine Guarantee: God’s promises are not casual statements, but powerful, unequivocal commitments based on his immutable nature.
• Covenantal: Many promises are linked to covenants or function as divine contracts, establishing God’s relationship with his people.
• Variety: We have the promise of earthly blessings (land, protection, settlement) and spiritual blessings (salvation, eternal life, peace, Holy Spirit).
Why promises matter
• Fuel for holiness: … that you may become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
• Assurance in prayer: (John 15:7).
• Anchor of Hope: Profound source of encouragement, and strength, sustaining faith through trials. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul (Hebrew 6:19)
Note that hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation grounded in God’s character, promises, and the resurrection of Jesus.
• Proverbs 23:18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
• Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
• Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Source and basis of hope
• God’s faithful character: 2 Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
• Resurrection of Christ: 1 Peter 1:3 In his great mercy he has given us new birth, into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Significance of hope
• Anchors the soul in storms (Hebrew 6:19)
• Produces endurance in suffering (Romans 5:3–5; 12:12).
• Purifies (1 John 3:2–3)
• Unites God’s people (Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:27).
We cultivate hope by
• Remembering God’s works and promises (Psalm 77:11–12; Romans 15:4).
• Praying and waiting actively, trusting God patiently (Psalm 130:5–6; Isaiah 40:31).
• Encouraging one another (Hebrew 10:23–25).
• Fixing our eyes on Jesus the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13; Hebrew 12:2).
Remember, hope is a confident expectation rooted in God’s faithfulness and Christ’s resurrection, applied by the Spirit. Hope steadies us now, purifies us, and points us to the sure future God has promised.
This week, be assured that through his promise, God is staking his own name on our future. We receive the promise by faith, walk it out in obedience, and see it fulfilled in Christ by the Spirit, unto the glory of God.
Have a great week.
Questions or comments?
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