April 25

Promises and Prophecies

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. — Matt 5:18 BSB

Christ was primarily referring here to the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. There are thousands of blossoms on trees in springtime that never become fruit, but there are no lost blossoms on the Old Testament tree. The exact fulfillment of prophecy is undeniable evidence of Christianity’s truth. But the assurance in Christ’s words also applies to every promise in Scripture. Not the smallest one will fail anyone who trusts in them. “No word He has spoken shall ever be broken.” Every promise God has made will surely be kept. Whenever we find a divine word, we can lay hold of it with absolute confidence, knowing we are holding onto a rock that can never be shaken. “For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord who has compassion on you.

This is also true of God’s warnings against sin. Not one of these will fail to come to pass for those who reject God’s grace and mercy. Christ said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,” and this word will prove true for everyone who accepts it. But He also said, “Whoever does not believe in the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him,” and this word will be just as certainly fulfilled.

In these days, when so many people have loose views of God’s Word, it’s important to remember that whatever God says in the Scriptures, He says with authority. His promises are as sure as His own eternity, and every word He speaks is irrevocable. We often dismiss words as insubstantial, but God’s words are more real and solid than the greatest mountains on earth.