Genesis 32:12

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God’s protection. As a primary reason, he pleaded, “And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.” Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word—“Thou saidst.”

The attribute of God’s faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to take hold of; but the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, is an even mightier hold—“Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.” And has he said, and will he not do it?

“Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Will not he be true? Will he not keep his word? Will not every word that comes out of his lips stand fast and be fulfilled? Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had spoken to his father David, and to bless that place.

When a man gives a promissory note, his honour is engaged; he signs it, and he must discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses credit. It will never be said that God dishonours his bills. The credit of the Most High never has been impeached, and never will be.

He is punctual to the moment: he never is before his time, but he never is behind it. Search God’s word through, and compare it with the experience of God’s people, and you will find the two tally from the first to the last. Many an aged patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass.” If you have a divine promise, you do not need to plead it with an “if,” you can urge it with certainty.

The Lord meant to fulfil the promise, or he would not have given it. God does not give his words merely to quiet us, and to keep us hopeful for a while, with the intention of putting us off at last; but when he speaks, it is because he means to do as he has said.