My friend’s brother (when they were both children) told her that umbrellas were just like parachutes. If she jumped with one in her hand, she’d float down to the ground. All she had to do was “believe”. So ‘by faith’ she jumped off a barn roof and suffered a minor concussion.

What God has promised, He will do. But we must be sure we know what those promises are in the Bible. Faith, or trusting God, has no power in itself. It only counts when it’s based on what God has actually said, not what we think He might or should say. That just comes down to wishful thinking.

Here’s an example of what God has promised us: “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (JOHN 15:7-8). It’s not a promise that God will answer every prayer we make, but that He will help us become more like Jesus and “bear much fruit”.

God will begin to change us and it will take time, because spiritual growth, like physical growth, is sometimes slow. Don’t give up. In His time and at His pace “it will be done for you” (JOHN 15:7). God doesn’t make promises He won’t keep.

By: David Roper

To Pray About . . .

Father, thanks for Your promises and for sending the Holy Spirit to help us. Enlighten me while I seek to understand Your Word wholeheartedly.