What Are the Promises of God? Unlocking Hope Through Scripture

The Bible is filled with God's promises. Every time God makes a promise, it's with the intent that something will happen (or not). These promises of God are not empty declarations like the ones we make regularly; rather, they are firm and unwavering guarantees issued by God Himself. The people who receive God's promises can rest assured that everything God has promised will come to pass because God is faithful (Numbers 23:19).

How Many Promises Are in the Bible

The exact number of promises from God in the Bible varies depending on how they are counted and interpreted. However, biblical scholars estimate that there are over 7,000 promises from God throughout the Old and New Testaments.

One of the most commonly cited figures comes from Dr. Herbert Lockyer, who documented 8,810 promises in his book All the Promises of the Bible, with around 7,487 of them being promises made by God to humanity.

These promises cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Salvation (e.g., John 3:16)
• God’s presence (e.g., Deuteronomy 31:6)
• Forgiveness (e.g., 1 John 1:9)
• Guidance and wisdom (e.g., James 1:5)
• Provision and care (e.g., Philippians 4:19)
• Eternal life (e.g., Romans 6:23)

What Are the Promises of God

God’s promises are woven throughout the Old and New Testaments, offering assurance, hope, and guidance to His people. Let’s look at just a few of these promises that we can find in Scripture:

Promises of God in the Old Testament

1. God’s Promise to Abraham – God promised to bless Abraham and make his descendants a blessing to the world (Genesis 12:2–3). This promise pointed to the coming of the Messiah (John 8:56).
2. God’s Covenant with Israel – He promised to be Israel’s God and make them His people (Leviticus 26:12–13), a promise repeatedly fulfilled throughout history.
3. Seeking and Finding God – God assured that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).
4. Divine Protection – He promised to watch over and protect His people (Psalm 121).
5. Unfailing Love – God’s love endures forever and never fails (1 Chronicles 16:34).
6. Forgiveness and Restoration – God promised Israel that if they repented, their sins would be forgiven, and their nation would be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14).
7. Blessing for Obedience, Consequences for Disobedience – Under the Mosaic Covenant, obedience led to prosperity, while disobedience led to destruction (Deuteronomy 30:15–18). Israel’s history confirmed this.
8. Blessings for Delighting in God’s Word – Those who meditate on God’s Word will prosper (Psalm 1:1–3).

Promises of God in the New Testament

1. Salvation for All Who Believe – God promised salvation through faith in Jesus (Romans 1:16–17).
2. God Works for Our Good – Everything will ultimately work out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
3. Comfort in Trials – God provides comfort in times of trouble so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
4. New Life in Christ – Those who believe in Jesus become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
5. Spiritual Blessings in Christ – Unlike Israel’s physical blessings, believers today receive spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:4).
6. God Will Complete His Work in Us – He will finish what He has started in our lives (Philippians 1:6).
7. Peace through Prayer – Praying with faith leads to peace that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6–7).
8. God Will Provide for Our Needs – He ensures that our needs (not necessarily our wants) are met (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

Jesus’ Promises in the Gospels

1. Rest for the Weary – Jesus invites those who are burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28–30).
2. Abundant Life – Following Jesus brings fulfillment beyond worldly satisfaction (John 10:10).
3. Eternal Life – Those who trust in Jesus receive eternal life, and no one can take them from His hand (John 4:14; John 10:28).
4. Power from the Holy Spirit – Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), enabling them to spread the gospel.
5. Jesus Will Return – He promised to return for His followers and bring them into His presence forever (John 14:2–3).

What Is the Greatest Promise in the Bible

According to Dr. David Jeremiah, one of the most important promises in the Bible is found in Romans 8:28, which states: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This verse serves as a foundational assurance for Christians, affirming that no matter the circumstances—whether joy or suffering, success or failure—God is actively working everything together for good. 

Dr. Jeremiah emphasizes that this promise is not a vague or conditional hope but a definite assurance grounded in God's unchanging nature. It reassures believers that their lives are not dictated by chance, luck, or fate but are carefully orchestrated by God for a divine purpose. While the promise does not imply that all things in life are inherently good, it guarantees that God can use even the most painful and difficult experiences for a greater purpose. 

This promise is particularly powerful because it applies universally to all believers who love God and follow His calling, making it a source of deep comfort during trials. Dr. Jeremiah often highlights that this verse is one of the greatest sources of peace and stability for Christians, as it provides a perspective beyond the immediate struggles of life and into the overarching plan of God. 

It is a call to trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He is actively shaping everything for the ultimate good of those who belong to Him. This promise, therefore, is not just an abstract theological concept but a deeply personal and transformative truth that can sustain a believer through any hardship, anchoring their faith in the unwavering goodness of God.

What Does Provision Mean in the Bible

A biblical definition of provision is God meeting the needs of His people. It includes both material and immaterial sustenance. A ram was given by God to Isaac in Genesis 22:14 to replace Isaac, and this moniker, Jehovah Jireh, meaning "The Lord Will Provide," is profoundly ingrained in the understanding of God as a provider.

Many examples of God's provision can be found in the Old Testament. As the Israelites wandered through the desert, God supplied them with quail and manna (Exodus 16:4–15). A tangible manifestation of God's concern and constancy was this everyday provision. While Elijah was in the midst of a drought, God sent him food in the form of ravens (1 Kings 17:6). The extraordinary and often inexplicable ways in which God provides are seen in these cases.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stresses God's provision in the New Testament. Jesus tells his followers not to be concerned about things like "what shall we eat?" "what shall we drink?," and "what shall we wear" (Matthew 6:31–33). All these goods are sought after by the heathen world, and your heavenly father is aware that you require them. But put your focus on God's kingdom and His righteousness, and He will add all these things to you.

God provides for our spiritual needs as well as our material ones, according to the Bible. "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst."  In this passage, Jesus lays out His plan to provide spiritual fulfillment and everlasting life. Paul also mentions spiritual provision in Philippians 4:19, saying, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

The Bible teaches that people are responsible for their own stewardship and labor, even while God promises to provide. The sluggard should seek wisdom from the ant, as instructed in Proverbs 6:6-8. Devoid of a leader, supervisor, or commander, she bakes her bread in the summer and harvests her food during harvest. Part of God's plan for provision includes diligence and planning.

Bible Verses About God and His Promises

God’s Promises of Salvation and Eternal Life

1. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
3. 1 John 5:11 – “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

God’s Promises of Protection and Strength

1. Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
2. Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
3. Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God’s Promises of Provision

1. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
2. Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
3. Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

God’s Promises of Peace and Comfort

1. John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
2. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.”
3. Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God’s Promises of Guidance and Wisdom

1. James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
3. Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.”

God’s Promises of Victory and Hope

1. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
2. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
3. Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

God’s Promises of His Presence

1. Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
2. Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Final Thoughts

God promises to always provide for us, and much more, in the over 30,000 verses of the many books of the Bible. While accounts of how many promises truly are in the Bible vary between scholars, the important takeaway is that He tells us through Scripture that as long as we walk His path and put our faith in Him, He will give us what we need.