Preparing for the Promise
To listen to Today’s Devotional click below.
Day 4: January 8, 2025
Devotional
Our Scripture reading for today is John 15:5
Jesus says "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
When we talk about the promises of God, we often focus on the destination—the breakthrough, the answer, the change we’re hoping for. But here’s the reality: the promise is not just about getting something; it’s about developing a relationship with the One who gives it. If God’s promise were the end goal, we would just rush to it. But God knows that the promise isn’t what we need most—what we need most is a deeper relationship with Him.
That’s why the process of preparing for the promise often feels like it’s not about what we get, but about who we become and how deeply we learn to rely on Him. The truth is, the promise can’t sustain us if our relationship with God isn’t solid. God isn’t just interested in giving us what we ask for; He’s far more concerned with developing our relationship with Him.
Think about it: When Jesus talks about the vine and the branches in John 15, He isn’t just giving a gardening lesson. He’s telling us that, apart from Him, we can’t bear fruit. We can’t walk into the promise without staying connected to Him. The relationship is everything. You can’t get to the promise without cultivating intimacy with Jesus, because it’s in that relationship that we receive the strength, the clarity, and the perseverance to step into what God has for us.
If you’re waiting for the promise right now, the most important thing you can do is focus on your relationship with Jesus. It’s not about pushing harder, striving more, or trying to make the promise happen on your own. It’s about leaning in to Him, abiding in Him, and allowing His presence to shape your heart. The promise will come, but you have to be ready to handle it, and the only way you’ll be ready is by developing a deep relationship with Him through this season.
A relationship with God isn’t built in a moment of crisis; it’s built day by day, in the quiet moments of prayer, worship, and surrender. If you’re serious about receiving what God has promised, you have to be willing to invest in that relationship. When you stay connected to Him, you’re not just positioning yourself to receive the promise; you’re positioning yourself to be the person who can carry the promise.
Today's Prayer
"Father, I acknowledge that I often focus more on the promise than the relationship. But today, I choose to focus on You. I want to be deeply connected to You, to abide in You so that I can bear fruit in the right season. I know the promise will come, but I understand that it is my relationship with You that will sustain me. Help me to trust that the process of knowing You, growing in You, and leaning on You is just as important as the promise I’m waiting for. Teach me to be patient, to abide in You, and to make my relationship with You the priority. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Worship Moment
As you listen, take this time and reflect on His promises to you.