The Promise Keeper

“No, we won’t be going to the park today,” said the Mom. “But you promised we could go,” said the child. “I know I promised you, but that was before, and this is now. Things have changed, and we won’t be going to the park.”

“No, you can’t stay out past your curfew tonight,” said the Dad. “But you promised if I mowed the grass you would give me a reward, and this is what I want my reward to be,” said the teenager. “This is not what I had in mind when I promised you a reward. So, no, you aren’t to stay out past your curfew.”

“God, how could you let this happen to me?” asked the one whose Mother had just passed away. “God, how could you let this happen to my family?” asked the father as he gathered his family together on the front lawn while their house burned in front of them. “God, you promised you would never leave me, yet here I am all alone in the hospital waiting room. Where are you, God? Why haven’t you kept your promise to me?”

Promises from our parents and families and friends sometimes come rather cheaply. It’s easy to verbalize a promise, but keeping that promise can sometimes involve a sacrifice we aren’t willing to make. Keeping a promise may cost more than we are willing to give. When we make a promise, we intend to keep it. It’s in the keeping of the promises that we have problems with.

But God’s promises are true and faithful. He has kept His promises. He is keeping His promises. He will continue to keep His promises. But what exactly did He promise?

Did He promise nothing bad would ever happen to you? That the things that normally happen in this fallen world would never happen to you? Did God tell you that those whom you love would never be sick, never be in pain, and never die? No, He absolutely never made those promises. However, he did promise that when life happens, when we are troubled or anxious, when tragedy falls on us, He would be there alongside you, to give you strength and peace.

God promised that overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, (Romans 8:37-39). God promised us a peace of mind and heart. Jesus said it like this: “Let not your hearts be troubled.” God promised that though we have troubles in this world, we could still have peace, (John 14:27). God said that listening to Him will eradicate our fear, untroubling our heart, (Proverbs 1:33).

There are promises of God in every book of the Bible. We just need to look for them, and pull His promises off the pages and plant the words in our lives. He promises new mercies every morning. He promises to be true and faithful and just and forgiving in all ways for all days. He promises He promises to be our shield and refuge and deliverer and redeemer. He promises to be the same yesterday, today and forever.

“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. …I will ever praise you,” (Psalm 71:5-6). Let us praise God, for He is the Ultimate Promise Keeper.