With several national elections behind us in North America, and more to come in the next few years, we are used to candidates making big promises that somehow fail to materialize. It is easy to make a promise and easier to forget about it. Theodore Parker, a notorious liberal American preacher of the mid-19th century said, “Magnificent promises are always to be suspected.” He eventually rejected the Bible’s claims, and therefore the promises of God.
While some question God, His promises in the Scriptures are based on His integrity and rock-solid track record. The New Testament writers call our attention to God’s inability to lie. In writing to Titus, Paul said he lived “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago.” (Titus 1:2) The Hebrew writer pointed out how trustworthy God’s promises are by saying, “He…interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.” (Heb.6:17-18) Our utterly honest God promised us salvation by swearing an oath upon Himself – and there is nothing higher than Himself. Abraham was made righteous through his belief in what God promised. “Yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong, giving glory to God.” (Rom.4:20) He stands as an example of faith that saves.
If God possesses such great integrity in the way He treats us, we must consider what kind of lives we are to live in this world. Our word should stand. Our promises should be completed. Our character should be trustworthy. In our family life our children need to feel secure in what we promise them, for broken promises hurt the innocent. Your marriage partner needs to feel you are always true, for you promised to be faithful to them alone. The church depends upon people who serve with faithfulness and dependability. Your boss needs to trust the way you work.
God’s promises are solid. Make sure yours are too.
– Tim Johnson