Don’t compromise with the promises of God..

God’s promises are what keep us going. We firmly believe that there will be a day when God fulfills His promises. However, the waiting period for these promises can be exhausting, leading to doubts, depression, and compromises. Doubts may arise regarding whether the promises will be fulfilled, and depression may set in, making us feel forgotten by God. Eventually, we might be tempted to compromise on our commitment to God’s promises by relying on our own wisdom and knowledge to expedite the process. Let’s explore each stage that may occur when we wait for God’s promises.

After waiting for some time, doubts may creep in. Even if Jesus were to personally deliver the promise, doubts might still linger—questions about whether it was imagination, whether the promise was meant for someone else, or whether God will truly fulfill those promises.

But Abram said, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it?” Genesis 15:8

Abram, despite being called by God with numerous promises, found himself in a state of waiting. He was promised possession of the land, to be the father of many nations, and to have his name made great. However, his life showed a different reality—he was a wanderer without any children. Doubts crept in, but each time God came to strengthen him, reminding him of the promises. God would take Abram outside and show him the stars and the sand, reinforcing the vision of the promises. Sarai also faced doubt due to her age.

We may doubt God, but remember, God is ready to remind us of our promises whenever doubt arises. To combat doubt, we need faith. Through faith, we can overcome doubt by trusting that God will fulfill His promises. Even if we don’t fully experience the promises, God will ensure we get close. Our lives are more than just these promises; God has something more valuable for us. That’s why Hebrews 11:39-40 says, ‘These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.‘

Depression is another challenge we all face as we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Let’s examine Genesis 15:4, Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” Abraham eagerly desired to see the promises fulfilled as early as possible, leading him to consider whether Eliezer, his servant, could inherit the promises and blessings of God. In response to this doubt, God answered him with the assurance that a son would come from his own body.

Now, imagine Abraham conveying God’s words to Sarai. What would be the first thought that Sara would have? If I were in her place, I would think – ‘God did not say that the son would be born through my body; instead, He said that surely from the body of Abraham, the son would be born. That means I am blocking the promises of God from being fulfilled.’

This is what depression can do to us. We may reflect on all the hardships and hard work we’ve invested in following God, feeling as though we are gaining nothing from it. We might eventually conclude that we are no longer a part of God’s promise and no longer in His thoughts. However, always remember that even if God doesn’t call you specifically by name, He knows you and understands the thoughts you have in your mind. When the time comes, He will call you by your name and, if necessary, change it, just as He did with Sara.

However, the issue with depression is that it leads us to take actions that become problematic for both ourselves and God. We begin to compromise on the promises of God, much like Sara did when she thought the promise was no longer applicable to her. Driven by the desire to see the promise fulfilled, she introduced Hagar into the scenario, resulting in the birth of Ishmael.

We often find ourselves taking unnecessary actions. Instead of adhering to the promises and call of God, we tend to interfere with them. Sara included Hagar and Ishmael under the umbrella of promises, and God couldn’t deny them blessings. Similarly, we observe Moses rejecting God’s call, prompting God to bring Aaron into the scenario. These compromises eventually create problems for us. Hagar and Ishmael became a headache for Sara, and Aaron’s actions with the golden calf angered both God and Moses.

We must remember to keep God’s promises to ourselves. If we deny them or try to pass them on to others, it will become a problem for us. If, like Barak, we are not ready to heed God’s call, then undoubtedly, the credit for the battle will go to Jael, the woman.

Upon receiving God’s promise, we often begin to daydream, constructing a mental mansion for ourselves. However, when the promises remain unfulfilled, we find ourselves saying to God, “God, don’t give me any mansion; I will be content with a hut.” But if God has an Isaac in mind, He will surely bring it to fruition. Regardless of our circumstances, He will fulfill His desires.

Hence, the question is: Are you ready to wait for God’s promises? If you are prepared to patiently wait for His promises and have no intention to compromise, then you will undoubtedly become a part of the QUIVER OF GOD.