A Promise Keeper

Psalm 145:13

"The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." (Psalm 145:13, NIV)

A car speeds into an employee parking lot. A woman with an exasperated look on her face opens the passenger door and asks the driver:

“Where were you? You said you would pick me up and I’ve been waiting for over an hour!”

A young woman waits patiently by her phone for a call from someone who will later say, “I forgot”.

A young man sits quietly in a restaurant eagerly awaiting his date, only to realize that after two hours, he has been stood up.

Is there anything more frustrating than to have someone make a promise they will never keep?

Often, we look at the Lord the way we look at people; His promise is just a bunch of words. Looking at God in this way is a mistake that will only bring frustration. We know God has made promises to believers, but we have a tendency to doubt God when His promise is delayed. We forget how the Lord has watched over, blessed and honored His promises to us. We see futility more often than faithfully trusting in God.

Years ago, I drove an old beat-up car that needed servicing, I had it towed and waited for the mechanic to tell me what was wrong. Back then, I had so little money that I couldn’t even afford replacement wipers; the last thing I needed was absorbing the cost to repair a car I desperately needed for transportation. When the mechanic gave me the estimate, I was devastated. I don’t remember how much the repair cost was, but I do remember wondering how I was going to pay and to get my car running again. I began to pray and suddenly, I remember having a very clear thought I perceived was from the Lord:

This is an opportunity to demonstrate my love for you. Your car will be repaired and you will earn the money to pay for it.

I was relieved to know my car would be repaired, but I hoped for something a little more emphatic. I'm not sure what I expected the Lord to do, but it certainly wasn't enabling me to work and pay for the repair of my car. This was one of those times when I wanted an "easy, hassle-free blessing"; a blessing that didn't require anything from me. I wanted the Lord to just open the windows of heaven and pour out my blessing to my open hands! It took a few stressful days, I was without transportation but I earned enough money to get my car repaired and I was once again able to have adequate transportation. I’ve never forgotten that experience because the Lord kept His promise.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me” (Psalm 138:8, NAB)

God is concerned about your life, right down to the smallest detail; things we tend to forget about. God doesn’t forget! He remembers everything concerning you.

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me!
Whenever I face circumstances that appear to overwhelm me, I remind myself how the Lord has accomplished on my behalf what I was unable to. Paul write in Romans:

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

We are assured that, “You’re in good hands with AllState.”

Products and politicians make guarantees.

Promises are easy to make, but it’s not making a promise that’s important, it’s one’s ability to keep a promise made.

When God makes a promise, He’s able to keep it!

Why?

God honors His word by keeping it. God’s word cannot fail, absolutely cannot fail!

God wants the opportunity in your life to prove His word is true.

Will you give Him the opportunity?

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).