Unshakable Promises of God Every Catholic Should Know

The Bible is full of God’s promises. The many promises made throughout scripture are an insurance or commitment that God will do or provide for those who believe in Him. They are founded in His faithfulness, love and sovereignty. It offers believers hope, guidance and assurance. 

At its highest-level summary, the Old Testament promises the Messiah and God then delivers Jesus as the Promise and our salvation in the New Testament! But in between there are so many examples of God’s constant, unwavering promises to humankind.  Below are some of the most important that can help shape our belief and relationship with God.   

Promises from the Old Testament 

Noah and his ark

One of the most famous bible stories is found in the Old Testament (Genesis 9:8-17).  This is the story of Noah and his ark. God chose Noah because he was a righteous man and obeyed God.  Noah walked with God, while the rest of the human world turned away from Him.  God entrusted Noah to survive a global flood and tasked him with repopulating the earth. But it wasn’t only his survival, Noah was responsible for his family and a pair of every animal species. Even though it wasn’t raining when he was asked, Noah still did what God asked with no question.  He built the ark, collected his family and animals without hesitation.  When it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, the entire earth was washed away, except Noah, his family and the animals. When the rain stopped, God promised that He would never again destroy all life on earth with a flood.  God put a rainbow in the sky to be a sign of His promise. Still today the rainbow is a sign to us and every creature on earth.  It reminds us that God will keep His Promise.  We are taught that through the faithful obedience of one person, God will preserve His people and keep His promises. Noah brought salvation to the world through an ark, while Jesus will bring salvation through a cross.  

The Israelites

God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants that they would be given the Promised Land, the land of Canaan (Numbers, 34:1–12). This land was a place where they would live, and would be a source of blessings. The Israelites were promised the land, but told they would not possess it right away. They would face years of hardship and slavery in Egypt. A man named Moses would deliver the Israelites from slavery and bring them to the Promised Land.  

God promised Moses that He would deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land.  Moses rescued them only to wander the wilderness for 40 years. Through those years, their faith was tested. For us, we may be wandering the wilderness spiritually for years, but holding firm to God’s plan that there is a promised land ready for us keeps us moving forward.  

Promises from the New Testament

Mary, the Mother of God

In the New Testament, God made a promise to Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). “Do not be afraid you have found favor with God.” From her conception, Mary was preserved from all stain of sin, including original sin. She would be a fitting vessel, for Jesus to become incarnate in her womb, and she would freely never choose to sin all of her life.  In the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2677, “because she gives us Jesus her son, Mary is the mother of God and our mother; we can entrust all our cares and petitions to her; she prays for us, as she prayed for herself: ‘let it be done to me, according to your word.’ By entrusting ourselves to her prayer, we abandon ourselves to the will of God together with her: ‘thy will be done.’”

Through Mary, God fulfilled His promise to us.  His plan was to give us His son, Jesus.   Jesus would save humanity from our sins and win our salvation. “And we have seen and testified that God has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world” 1 John 4:14

Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist

Elizabeth was promised a son, John, despite her old age.  John would be the light paving the way for Jesus.  When Mary, unselfishly, went to see her cousin Elizabeth “the infant leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” Luke 1:41.  Elizabeth recognized the significance of Mary’s visit, “why is this granted me, that the mother of the Lord should come to me” Catholic Church #2677. Just like Elizabeth we can keep the persistence of prayer, understanding that God will fulfill His promise, in His time. 

Promises to Us

There are numerous other examples of God’s Promises. When we pray, we can reflect on appreciate that God is in control.  Here are some other bible verses that can help guide our reflections. 

• Isaiah 49:15–16 “I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you in the palm of my hands.” We are in God’s heart, and on His mind every moment.

• John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace, I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you” Jesus, has given us His peace more than any material inheritance we could ever receive. For Jesus is the promise of God, and is our peace.

• Isaiah 41:10. “I will strengthen you; I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Whatever our circumstances, God’s strength will be our strength in the hour of our need.

• Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb. I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” God has a purpose for each one of us before we were born.  For life is precious creation of His, and He is involved in every stage of our life from conception and beyond. 

• Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know well, the plans I have in mind for you – plans for your welfare, and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me.”  God has a plan for us. He loves us as if we’re the only person in the world and God’s Promises to us.   

• Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord, bless you and keep you! The Lord, let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord, look up on you, kindly, and give you his peace” We will find God’s peace when we share our life with God.  

  
  

God is in control, and this can be a source of peace and comfort, especially during challenging times. We can allow scripture to prove that God has been, is, and will always be sovereign over our lives and the world. For God knows what He’s doing. All we have to do is trust Him. He knows what’s best for us. God walks alongside us, goes before us, and He will not leave or forsake us. Because of that, we do not need to fear when we have God in control of our future, for He has a plan.