My kids look to me and ask me for something and then say “Is that a promise?”, for which I always say, “I don’t make promises but I will do my best to make it happen”. There have been times when I haven’t been able to keep my word and my kids would be quick to catch me and say “…but you promised!” for which I always say “I never promised. I tried but I couldn’t get it done so you will have to wait”. I am extra careful before I give a word because I want the yes to be yes and a no to be a no but often I would fail. As much as I want to be a woman of word, even with the best of my intentions, I fail sometimes and I think that’s part of being human. We mess up. We are sometimes forgetful and we are simply not 100% perfect.
This notion of imperfection can sometimes be carried on to our relationship with God. We start thinking that God is imperfect, just like us. We start thinking that He will sometimes not keep His promises. Is that true? In a recent kids lesson, I heard the words “Truth is what is real.” So what is the reality about God’s character and His promises?
When God met with Moses, this is how He described Himself
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6
“Abounding in love and faithfulness” – that’s how God defines Himself. That’s an incredible statement about His character. King David and the various authors of the book of psalms describe God’s faithfulness time and time again. The book of psalms is in a way a celebration of God’s faithfulness. This is what one of the psalms reads –
The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13
God, by His very nature is incapable of breaking His promises. He is faithful to the end and His promises will always stand. He is faithful not because we deserve His faithfulness. He is faithful because that is who He is! He puts His name on the line when He makes a promise and He will stand by His word, even if it may look like there is no hope.
Why does God’s promises matter? Couldn’t we just be and not care about His promises? The thing about God’s promise is that it expands our vision. It enables us to see things as if they were, even before they happen. It allows us to set our eyes on something big when we are surrounded by the trials of life. It also keeps hope alive. Hope is the one thing that differentiates living and surviving. We don’t have to simply survive. His promises give us hope to live and thrive. What more? God’s promises act as a protection – like shield against the attack of the enemy. When doubts, fears and crippling anxiety take over, remind yourself of God’s promises and you will experience life and peace.
King David says it like this
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalms 91:4
Hold on to God’s promises. If God has given you a promise, have faith that He will make it happen at the right time. When fear and doubts creep in, use the promise as your armor to protect yourself from the lies that you have come to believe. God is fully capable of seeing you through. Rest in His promises. Rest in His love. Rest knowing that He is faithful.