God will always keep his promises

I have been considering the word “promise” this past week.

The word promise has two meanings. First, promise means to declare to do or keep from doing something specified. Second, a promise is an acknowledgment that gives the person to whom the promise is made the right to expect the result of that promise.

We promise all the time in our lives. When our children were growing up, I would correct them on a certain issue and inevitably they would respond with “I promise Mom, I promise … I won’t do that again.”

Even today as an adult, I am guilty of making promises that I many times do not keep. I casually promise in good faith to not let yet another week pass without contacting someone or writing notes of encouragement. I even make promises to pray for other people, and so often I fall short.

I am not alone. Many politicians are known for making promises on the campaign trail, only to break those promises when they win the office.

So the question must be asked: What is the value of a promise if it is not kept? Not much I would say.

A promise is just palaver coming from someone’s mouth who has no intention of a keeping that promise.

I will go further with that. In our finite minds, I believe that sometimes it is difficult to really grasp and trust the promises of God. Why? It is because we are accustomed to the promises of humans.

One of the great distinctions between humans and Almighty God is that we are frail in making our promises and carrying them out.

So when we try to frame God’s promises in the light of how we as humans carry through with promises, then the way we look at God’s promises becomes more humanlike.

This mindset is a determent in committing the Word of God and his many promises to our hearts. We do not grasp the idea that God cannot lie. When he makes a promise, we can be assured that those promises will be kept. He cannot promise and then not fulfill because he is God.

The Scriptures say: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)

The good news is that there are over 3,000 promises in the Bible for us to digest into our mind, apply to our lives and depend upon. The promises of God help us to face each day in a world that is filled with anxiousness, conflict and broken promises.

Take a look at just five areas in which God has given us promises.

God has promised forgiveness. It’s in the Bible. 1 John 1:9 reads: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God has promised us heaven. Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

God has promised to supply all our needs. Paul wrote, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

God has promised to comfort us. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

God has promised to deliver us from trouble. “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

So what is the conclusion? Don’t interpret God’s promises in the light of the way that humans keep promises. He said: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Joshua 1:5)

God will do what he says he will do.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]