Lately I have been thinking about doubt. Let’s be honest, we all experience it sometimes. Whether it is doubt in our own abilities, doubt in other people, doubt in answers to questions, even doubt in God.
However, I’ve also been thinking a lot about promises! And not just any promises, but God’s promises. One definition states that a promise is a commitment to someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen in the future. It is something we should be able to trust in, and something that should usually bring us a sense of hope and assurance.
Now, not everyone keeps their promises. But the Lord and Master, our Savior Jesus Christ, DOES.
I have recently learned a lot about how trustworthy He really is. This past summer, all the missionaries in the New York Rochester Mission read the entire Book of Mormon together in just under 9 weeks. We marked every reference to Christ–His attributes, His words, His names, His doctrines. It was the best challenge EVER! I made some connections as I found myself in its pages:
People in the Book of Mormon, just like today, were faced with extreme difficulties and trials. They struggled with their faith, they experienced profound disappointments, they saw families torn by discord, and there were times when they were in spiritual or physical bondage. There were many of them who faced doubts. There were many times when things just didn’t make sense. Yet despite all of these struggles, there were those who remained faithful to the Lord and trusted that His promises would be fulfilled. Despite how at times everything seemed against their favor and they were perhaps wondering how God could possibly be answering their prayers, they held fast to their trust in Him and never doubted that He would fulfill His word. Often His promises were not fulfilled until much later than they had supposed, and yet for those who kept His commandments and remained close to Him, they always were fulfilled.
Think for a moment. What are the promises that God has made to you? Do you know them? Do you truly understand the promises that He extends to all those who are faithful to His name?
He promises that He will be with us and never forsake us. He promises us that in our hour of trial, He will not leave us comfortless. He promises us that whatever we leave behind for His sake, He will give us a hundredfold in return. He promises us that despite whatever challenges we pass through, we will find a fullness of joy as we endure righteously. He promises us that we will have all that His Father has. Ultimately, He promises us everlasting salvation and eternal life.
And these are just the beginning. What greater promises could you have than from the Creator of all things? His word NEVER fails!
So if you’re confused, discouraged, doubtful, or starting to question whether God really hears your prayers, don’t worry. Be patient. Because “God is powerful to the fulfilling of all His words. … He will fulfill his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.” (Alma 37:16-17)
♥
Emblem of Light 