READ: MATTHEW 1:22-23; ROMANS 15:4; HEBREWS 13:5-6; 2 PETER 1:3-4

Growing up, I was surrounded by God’s promises. In church, with friends, and at home, I heard people say things like “God will never leave you,” or “God has good plans for you.” I could even find these promises in the Bible, but I was still a bit skeptical. After all, God’s promises—especially in the Old Testament, like the ones mentioned above—were given to specific people in specific situations, so how could I be certain they applied to me? I had seen people take Scripture out of context or twist its meaning, and I didn’t want to make the same mistake. So when I heard God’s promises, I often felt anxious instead of comforted, wondering…did He really mean me too?

I began seeking answers, and slowly realized that, because God’s promises are all fulfilled in Christ, they are indeed still relevant to me and you. Romans 15:4 states that everything written in the past was written to teach and encourage us today, and in Hebrews 13:5-6, the author quotes two Old Testament promises to reassure the early church. Both of these passages reveal that God’s Word applies to His people now just as much as when it was first given.

The verse that finally convinced me, though, was 2 Corinthians 1:20, in which Paul tells us that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ. This means that not only do God’s promises extend to followers of Jesus, but they are actually fulfilled through Jesus: as Immanuel (God with us), He will never leave us; through the Holy Spirit, He gives us strength and hope; and since we belong to Him, He uses everything for our good and gives us a bright future with Him forever. Therefore, as a child of God who has put my faith in Jesus for salvation, I can know God’s promises are for me—and so can you. • Faith Lewis

• What questions do you have about God’s promises and how they apply to you? Consider taking some time to talk to God about this today. Additionally, is there a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about your questions—such as a friend, parent, or pastor?

• Jesus completely fulfills all of the meaning and intent of the promises we find in the Old Testament. In fact, Jesus is the end goal and the point of the entire Old Testament, as well as the entire New Testament. How can this truth affect the way we read the Bible?

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)