Have you ever made a promise? Of course you have. We all have. Have you every not kept a promise? How many times have you promised not to do something and found yourself doing it anyway? How many times have you promised to do something that you have never gotten around to doing?
How many times have you made a promise you knew someone was depending on, yet for one reason or another, failed to do what you promised? How many times have you made a promise to impress someone? Or to get them off your back?
How many times have you made a promise knowing that you did not have the strength, courage, stamina, or resources to keep the promise you were making?
How often do you think about your broken promises when you need to rely on one of God’s promises? Thank goodness God is not like you or me! Thank goodness God cannot forget what He promised, nor can God go back on His word.
Thank goodness that when God makes promises, there was one and only one motivation. It is to remind you that when you make a promise, you can keep it because of God’s promises to you!
Psalm 138 reminds us that “God’s promises are backed up by the honor of God’s name. This means “God’s got your back!” This means that God is with you and for you!
It also means that you can depend on God. It is very reassuring to know that there is Someone everywhere who you can rely on. Still, hearing the words may not be enough. You must understand what they mean. When you understand exactly what it means that God, the creator of all, is standing with you, for you and behind you, a new realm of possibilities and opportunities opens before you. When you understand that what God has promised to do, God will do, it takes a load from your shoulders. God has promised us many things, the most important of all being, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Just let that thought sit on your heart for a minute. Lots of disappointments happen in our lives here on earth, but our wonderous loving God will never leave you! Be sure you don’t leave Him!
Our God says:
I am the arm that will hold you at your weakest. . .
I am the eye that will see you at your darkest . . .
I am the heart that will love you at your worst . . .
I know these promises are true – because God has done this for me. He will do it for you too. Just listen to some of the deepest expressions of God’s faithfulness from the book of Isaiah:
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
But now, this is what the Lord says: he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
“Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed”, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
There is great power in a promise! Hold tight to the promises from God as you move forward and be devoted to relying on God’s help in keeping ALL the promises you make, especially the one to follow the Lord our God!
Be blessed and assured – each of God’s promises is personally yours!
