“The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT)
Have you ever made a promise you didn’t keep? There aren’t many things that make us feel worse. Aren’t you glad that God NEVER breaks a promise He makes to us in His Word?
David Jeremiah wrote in his Turning Point devotional (Living in Confidence 03-08-23): “A psychologist in Melbourne, Australia, told ABC Everyday that ‘keeping promises is an incredibly important aspect of maintaining a healthy and secure relationship—and that applies to all forms of relationships whether it be romantic, intimate, professional, or parental. Broken promises can lead to trust rupturing, which can very quickly fracture a relationship.’”
Trust is inextricably linked to honesty, especially as it relates to keeping our word. Melvyn Douglas is credited with saying: “Your word is your bond,” which is critical for a Jesus follower. If people can’t trust what we say, our witness for Christ is virtually null and void. And it stands to reason that if people can’t believe what we say, we’re going to have a hard time convincing them that we’ll follow through and do what we need to do (what we’ve said we would do) in carrying out the demands of a job or any other kind of responsibility.
What if you had a friend at church with whom you’ve had a few casual conversations, some centering on your dearly loved dog. So, when you go out of town for a week and that person volunteers to watch your dog, you think it’s going to be great. But when you get back from your trip the person with whom you entrusted the care of your pup tells you he only showed up three times the whole week, “but the dog seemed fine to me.”
Unlike us God always, without exception, does what He says He will do. Sheila Walsh wrote: “God does not change, nor do the glories of His person and the salvation He engineered for us. God’s promises are as dependable as He is. A big part of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus is learning to say what we mean and mean what we say.
How can we expect someone to believe the claims of Christ we share with them when they can’t believe our life? Broken or empty promises are a key ingredient in a broken and empty life. In order to have a great, reliable friend, we have to be a great, reliable friend; otherwise, we’re going to spend a lot of time alone.
My dad was working on something at the house when I asked him if he’d like to go see a particular movie that was playing at the theatre not far from our house. He told me he’d like that, but he needed to finish up what he was doing. So, he gave me money for admission and told me to go ahead and “start walking and by the time you get there I’ll be able to meet you.” I was maybe 8-10 years old, but all these years later I still remember the disappointment I felt when he didn’t come.
It was so unlike my dad, and I’m sure he had a good reason for not coming, but it didn’t make me feel any better. Not keeping our word not only hurts us, it hurts them – their credibility; their witness, if they’re a believer; and their value as a friend and, especially, as a family member. We tend to not forget when someone hurts us, and it takes a long time (if ever) to regain someone’s trust.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 