Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
I used to estimate the promises of the Bible by saying, “Some scholars say 6,000 and others say 1,000. Having never actually counted them myself, I just say 3,000.”
But I recently came across an older research paper from Pepperdine University that mentions as many as 30,000 promises in the Bible. Wow… A paper from Pepperdine… That’s a college in California… It must be more accurate than Pastor Grant from mere Springfield, Ohio!
But then the paper questions its own conclusion by mentioning there are about 31,000 verses in the entire Bible. A nice preacher’s point in a sermon: “Brothers and sisters, every verse of the Bible is a promise.”
But that would immediately cause a stir among the skeptics as they ask legitimate questions…
How can every verse be a promise? What kind of a promise is “Greet one another with a holy kiss?” And the “Greet… with a holy kiss” encouragement is mentioned five times in the New Testament.
I admit that I side with the skeptics on this one, as I don’t want to attend a church where everyone is promised a holy kiss.
Let’s calm down a bit.
One scholar says 1,000, I say 3,000, one guy says he counted 8,810, and then the number of 30,000 previously mentioned.
To solve the question once and for all – how about if I admit defeat, confess my lack of scholastic credentials, and repent – and from this time forward raise my tally from 3,000 to 4,000.
According to Pastor Grant, there are 4,000 promises in the Bible!
Let’s stop worrying about how many promises and consider the intent of the promises.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Hope!
An omniscient and eternal God writes thousands of promises in His letters to you – that won’t fail, no matter the circumstances.
Hope!
Though I have changed my mind and gone from 3,000 to 4,000 promises, I still believe that all 4,000 promises are summarized in three verses in Philippians 4:
Verse 9: The promise of peace.
Verse 13: The promise of power.
Verse 17: The promise of provision.
The 4,000 promises found in the entire Bible can be summarized in one of three words – peace, power, or provision. All giving hope for anxiety, inadequacy, need, sickness, death, and our future.
The promise passcode of the Bible: 9 – 13 – 17.
I’m not changing my mind on this!