After a global financial crisis, the US government enacted stricter laws
to protect people from questionable banking practices. Banks had to change some
of their policies to comply. To notify me of such changes, my bank sent me a
letter. But when I got to the end I had more questions than answers. The use of
phrases like “we may” and “at our discretion” certainly didn’t sound like
anything I could depend on!
In contrast, the Old Testament quotes God as saying “I will” numerous
times. God promises David: “I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your
body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the
throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13). No uncertainty in those words.
Recognizing God’s faithfulness to His promises, King Solomon says in his prayer
of dedication for the temple: “You have kept what You promised Your servant
David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with
Your hand” (2 Chron. 6:15). Centuries
later, the apostle Paul said that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20).