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 Is. 46:11- I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.  

It is difficult for us to believe a person’s word. We say, talk is cheap, for good reason. So many promises made to us were broken.  

From our earliest days, promises have been broken. Perhaps our parents promised us an outing or a toy, but circumstances changed, and their word did not come to pass.  

Later in life, perhaps a girlfriend or a boyfriend failed us, and we broke up. Later still, bosses didn’t come through on promised raises. Friends didn’t show up for special events as promised. A spouse left. Friends grew distant, or even turned into enemies. Politicians repeatedly promised and forgot their promises.  

Talk IS cheap. It feels that way to us. So, we have a hard time taking God at his word. We expect, we fear, that he, too, will disappoint us. That he will fail us. Promise, and not deliver. 

But when God promises he always follows through.  

John Calvin wrote:  “We doubt if God has spoken sincerely, and suspect that he is like us, that is, that he is a hypocrite or dissembler. But he declares that nothing proceeds from him but what he formerly determined in his counsel. So that the preaching of the word is nothing else than a sure testimony of his hidden counsel, which he commands to be revealed to us. As soon therefore as the Lord hath spoken any word, we ought to be certain of its accomplishment.”  

What God says, he brings into being. What God wills, he does. There is no equivocation in God. He determines, he speaks of his determination, he acts to bring his word into reality.

“I will create humanity.” And we are here. “I will redeem fallen humanity.” And Christ is here. “I will come back for you.” And Christ will appear again. More certain than the sunrise. He will appear to us all.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)   “I give them eternal life.” And just as certain as his word, we will know heaven on the new earth, forever.  

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)  

“I ... will take you to myself.” And just as certainly, we will be with him in paradise, forever.

“Believe in God.” We can trust his word. Every word. Always.

“I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass.”