Paul declares that all of God’s promises are in Him yea and amen to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 1:20) To understand the full extent of this declarative statement, we must consider the ramification of “yea” and “amen.” Both words are strong affirmations of confirmation that can mean: verily, truly, surely, and so be it. The fact that Paul repeats such strong language is to confirm the point even more strongly to them then and us today of God’s character and decorum. If God says it, so be it. If God promises, verily it is. As the Psalmist declares, He speaks – it is done; He commands – it stands fast. (Psalm 33:9)
When we think of “big” promises in our mind, we many times do not struggle to say we believe those things. When He promises us eternal life through His Son, we readily affirm that we believe it. When comforting a family mourning the loss of a loved one, we joyfully declare that we will see that individual again. However, Paul does not simply say that some, part, or only the big promises of God are yea and amen. He says that all of them are so.
Having grown up a Primitive Baptist, joining the church at the age of 9, and being raised by my pastor, concepts and words like election, predestination, eternal security, and other precious doctrines of grace were common to my life. While the Lord still had to open the eyes of understanding, I was highly blessed to glean in rich fields from a young age. Even today, I don’t struggle often with these concepts. Considering these precious promises of God, I feel comfortable and confident that they will be even as God declares them.
But, I do struggle many times with “tomorrow.” What will it be? How will it be? What will it bring? Oftentimes the answer is “I don’t know.” Oftentimes the unknown scares us. But there is one certainty about tomorrow. He’s there. Everything He said is still steadfast. Whatever the other circumstances may be, it pales in comparison to His declaration that He loves us with an everlasting love, He will never leave us nor forsake us, and where I am you will be also. His presence with us tomorrow is just as verily, surely, so be it as the fact that Christ has died for us. His love tomorrow and watch care over us is just as certain as the fact that He chose us before the world began.
Consider that Paul used the same language of being “persuaded” in II Timothy 1 as he did in Romans 8. In one place he was completely convinced that nothing could separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the other, he was completely convinced that God is able to keep what we commit to Him against the day of need and trial. Are you completely convinced that nothing can rip you from His hand? By the same token, let us be completely convinced that in the day of trial and temptation – when our need is great – that He is able, faithful, sure, and so be it to own and to bless with His great power according to His rich promises.