“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1Jno.5:14-15)
One of the popular catch phrases today used as the assurance of a soon to be fulfilled request, is, “You’ve got it.” It’s designed to let the petitioner know that the request has been noted and will soon be satisfied. In some cases, the phrase becomes positively redundant, and, in my own experience on several occasions, it turned out to be an empty promise! For that reason, I have been known to reply to an emphatic, “You’ve got it,” with an equally emphatic, “Not yet I haven’t!” To me, it would make more sense for the salesperson, waitress/waiter, or whoever, to save the phrase for the moment I have the asked for item in my hand. Then—and only then—have I really gotten it.
We, as believers, have been commanded by God to make and keep promises, with integrity unneedful of a well-defined vow (James 5:12). As the old-timers used to say, our word should be bond enough. Still, even this cannot prevent unforeseen circumstances from sabotaging our most sincere intentions. The ravages of Alzheimer’s may cause a mate who promised to love till death, forget that promise and even the person to whom it was made. Or a promise to return may be prevented by an accident or even death. Because of cases like these and others like them, it is easy to see why the apostle James points out the wisdom in saying, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (4:15).
I know of only one Person whose promises can live up to the guarantee, “You’ve got it.” John assures us that anything we ask, that is in God’s will, is as good as done. Because as Paul says, every blessing we will ever need has already been set aside for us, just waiting to be picked up (Eph.1:3). And nothing can ever prevent us from having them, because the One who made the promise will never forget us (Isa.49:15); nor will He ever die.
Fifty-five years I asked God for eternal life…and He replied with an emphatic, Divinely guaranteed, “You’ve got it!”
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…” (John 10:28)
One of the popular catch phrases today used as the assurance of a soon to be fulfilled request, is, “You’ve got it.” It’s designed to let the petitioner know that the request has been noted and will soon be satisfied. In some cases, the phrase becomes positively redundant, and, in my own experience on several occasions, it turned out to be an empty promise! For that reason, I have been known to reply to an emphatic, “You’ve got it,” with an equally emphatic, “Not yet I haven’t!” To me, it would make more sense for the salesperson, waitress/waiter, or whoever, to save the phrase for the moment I have the asked for item in my hand. Then—and only then—have I really gotten it.
We, as believers, have been commanded by God to make and keep promises, with integrity unneedful of a well-defined vow (James 5:12). As the old-timers used to say, our word should be bond enough. Still, even this cannot prevent unforeseen circumstances from sabotaging our most sincere intentions. The ravages of Alzheimer’s may cause a mate who promised to love till death, forget that promise and even the person to whom it was made. Or a promise to return may be prevented by an accident or even death. Because of cases like these and others like them, it is easy to see why the apostle James points out the wisdom in saying, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (4:15).
I know of only one Person whose promises can live up to the guarantee, “You’ve got it.” John assures us that anything we ask, that is in God’s will, is as good as done. Because as Paul says, every blessing we will ever need has already been set aside for us, just waiting to be picked up (Eph.1:3). And nothing can ever prevent us from having them, because the One who made the promise will never forget us (Isa.49:15); nor will He ever die.
Fifty-five years I asked God for eternal life…and He replied with an emphatic, Divinely guaranteed, “You’ve got it!”
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…” (John 10:28)
Amen, Amen! Every man would lie for a piece of bread but there is only one Man that keeps all of His promises and that's the Man Christ Jesus! rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 12:31,32)
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