Peter wrote of the “exceedingly great and precious promises” given to the children of God (2 Pet. 1:4). Indeed, our Father has promised us great things. Blessings such as forgiveness (1 John 1:9), fellowship (Heb. 13:5), peace (Phil. 4:7), and eternal life (1 John 2:25) are all ours to enjoy. These promises motivate us to faithfulness and comfort us in times of distress. No wonder the Hebrews writer reminded his readers of them to encourage them to remain faithful to God.
Hebrews 6:13-15 says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’ And so, after he had patiently endured, He obtained the promise.” The passage recalls God’s promise to Abraham for the purpose of pointing out two important truths regarding God’s promises: certainty and patience.
When God makes a promise we can be absolutely certain that He will fulfill that promise. It is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18) and therefore we can depend on every word He speaks. But though He is absolutely reliable in what He promises, the fulfilment of those promises often time, and therefore requires our patience. Abraham waited more than 20 years for the birth of Isaac, and just such an example was required for Jewish Christians in the first century to remain steadfast in their hope.
As we navigate the difficulties of life, like the readers of Hebrews, we would do well to remember these two truths. God has made great and precious promises and He will fulfill every one of them. We must simply be patient and “wait on the Lord” (Isa. 40:31).