God Keeps His Promises: Faith, Fruit, and Trust in Christ

Summary

God never forgets or fails to keep His promises, as shown in Jesus’ triumphal entry fulfilling Scripture. Because God is trustworthy, faith placed in Him is secure. Jesus warned that outward religion without fruit is empty, symbolized by the fig tree and temple cleansing. True faith produces fruit, transformed character, service, praise, and witness. God rewards faith that fully relies on His promises and exercises confident trust in Him.

Why God Always Keeps His Promises

Even with the best intentions, we sometimes forget our promises. God does not. He remembers and keeps His promises.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Fulfilled Scripture

On His journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. Jesus sent two disciples to Bethphage to return with a donkey’s colt. Why did they not bring back some symbol of royalty?

God remembered His promise in Zechariah 9:9 (NIV), “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The disciples saddled the colt with their outer garments. Jesus mounted it and rode toward Jerusalem. Spontaneously, the crowd of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem spread their garments and branches on the road in front of Jesus to honor Him.

They shouted “Hosanna,” an exclamation of praise. They quoted Psalm 118:26, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”

The Trustworthiness Behind Every Promise

Mark probably sees a fulfillment of Genesis 49:10, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” God keeps His promises.

I once bought a Midas muffler for my car. Midas promised to replace it for free if it ever went bad. It did. They kept their promise.  

A promise is only as good as the trustworthiness of the one behind it. God’s trustworthiness guarantees He will fulfill His promises.

Everyone trusts in something. Some trust science, friends, or leaders. Many people trust only themselves.

Genuine believers trust God in life’s successes and difficulties. What is your defining object of trust?

When Appearance Replaces True Fruit

God requires fruit (Mark 11:12-19). Jesus cursed a fig tree. It symbolized Israel. It was covered with leaves but without fruit.

The glory of the Temple and its ceremonies veiled Israel’s failure to produce the fruit God demanded. Jesus cleansed the Temple market because it was not what it appeared. It was financially exploiting people.

What God-Produced Fruit Really Looks Like

The fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple teach that God despises outward show. He expects fruit.

You are not saved by producing fruit; however, a life in tune with God produces fruit. No fruit probably indicates no salvation.

Fruit includes helping others come to know Jesus (John 15:1–8); serving other believers (1 Corinthians 16:15); love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23); good works (Colossians 1:10); desiring the best for others (Philippians 4:17); and a praising God lifestyle (Hebrews 13:15).

God rewards faith (Mark 11:20-26). The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, He taught the disciples a lesson on faith.

Faith in God withered the tree. Jesus challenged His disciples to exercise similar faith in God.

Faith That Trusts God and Moves Mountains

Faith that moves mountains overcomes the greatest imaginable problems. God rewards faith that leans its entire weight on His promises.

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