Excerpted from “Feeding Your Appetites” by Steve Arterburn

From first to last, Scripture is filled with promises that God has made to us. He loves us and wants wonderful things for us. I invite you to cultivate your appetite for, and fortify your confidence in, God’s promises by slowly and thoughtfully meditating upon them.

He is always near and will never forsake you. ‘For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever’ (Psalm 37:28).

He watches over you and cares for you. ‘He will not let your foot slip’he who watches over you will not slumber; ‘the Lord watches over you’the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm’he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore’ (Psalm 121:3-8).

He has good plans for you. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

He will listen when you pray and seek Him. ‘Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

He will give you strength. ‘You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!’ (Psalm 68:35).

He will forgive you when you fail. ‘Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgressions of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy’ (Micah 7:18).