Encouragement for Today

May 14, 2025 When You Long for Certainty in the Road Ahead ABBY MCDONALD Lee en español

“In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.“ Ephesians 1:13-14 (CSB)

In my 8-year-old daughter’s world, the pinky promise is the most binding of all promises.

Each week, she demands that her brothers make this irrevocable agreement. Usually, the promise involves them playing a game of her choice by a certain time.

But a significant age difference between my daughter and her brothers often causes them to butt heads when picking activities to do together. My sons are teenagers, and their promise doesn’t always work out as their sister plans. They will stretch out the agreement several days instead of meeting the specified time frame. Or the terms become muddled.

As I’ve thought about my daughter’s desire for a guarantee, I’ve realized it isn’t unique. It is human. When I took a step of faith in a new career endeavor, my heart ached for similar assurance. I wished for writing on the wall to affirm the future would be good.

Perhaps you’ve been there too?

While my daughter’s pinky promises may seem self-centered at first, the deeper desire is not. She wants to be with her brothers.

Here’s what blows my mind: Each promise God has made in the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, is motivated by one desire — His longing to be with you and me.

Even the law given through Moses pointed God’s people to their need for a Savior. Jesus fulfilled that need. And thanks to Jesus, we have a promise better than a thousand pinky promises. When we trust Him with all our hearts, declaring Christ is our Lord, we are adopted as His children through the gift of the Holy Spirit, sealed as His own.

The Apostle Paul tells us what this seal means for us:

“In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

I used to think this promise was only about eternity, but then I saw the assurance it gives me for today. The Holy Spirit gives me direction for today because He is my Guide. He gives me peace for today because His presence, God’s presence, never leaves.

When we long for assurance about tomorrow, we can know that God is there, and He is good. Friend, if you’re longing for certainty about what lies ahead, know this one thing will never change: When He sealed you with His Spirit, it was for keeps. You are forever His daughter!

God, thank You that the promises You give in Your Word aren’t just about eternity. They are assurances for today. When we long for a guarantee, may we remember Your Spirit dwelling in each of us who calls You Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (ESV).

How does it change your outlook on the future to know that all of God’s promises are made out of His desire to be with you? Tell us about it in the comments.

© 2025 by Abby McDonald. All rights reserved.