I found a 30% off coupon in the bottom of my purse for one of my favorite stores. Upon closer examination, and to my regret, the coupon had expired. This particular store used to take expired coupons, but not any longer. I shook my head from side to side, let out a huff, then crumpled the useless coupon and threw it in the trash.
Over the past few days, as I’ve reflected on the promises of God, it occurred to me that the Bible is filled with heavenly coupons. There are literally thousands of promises in the Bible. The word promise itself is found over 50 times in the King James Version. Here are only a few:
Jeremiah 29:11″For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:37-39 “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God's promises have no expiration, but like an unredeemed coupon, can be just as useless if not cashed in.
— Beckie Lindsey (@BeckieLindsey_) August 24, 2015
Oh, how often we fail to cash in on the promises of scripture.
Why is that?
In the case of the coupon in my purse, I forgot that I had it because I was saving it. I wonder if we do that with God’s promises too? We reserve them for when we are in a major crisis, rather than redeem them for our seemingly ‘little daily issues’.
Perhaps we don’t truly believe that God cares about the details of our day-to-day lives.
“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are numbered…”
Luke 12:6-7
The fact that God knows every hair on our heads should tell us that He is concerned with details.
What heavenly coupon is God waiting for you to redeem?
“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding,’Yes!’ And through Christ our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘yes’) ascends to God for His glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:20
Takeaway and application: Even though God’s promises never expire, not cashing in on them makes them useless to us. Take time now to read and ponder the scriptures above.
Prayer: Father, forgive my faithlessness. I acknowledge my need for your wonderful promises everyday.
Thank you, Beckie. This was marvelous and timely. I love the power of freedom when we accept what God has already planned for us. You’re a blessing to share His word in such a relatable manner.
Thanks, Molly!