Promises

Winter is approaching, but it sure feels like spring. As I was on my way to the first of four Christmas programs that my children will be part of this season, it was raining an April-like rain. Later in the afternoon the sun broke through the grayness and shouted, "I feel like Spring!" So contrary. So confusing. It's hard to decorate for Christmas, order Christmas cards, get in the Christmas spirit when it feels so much like April (in Minnesota). However, I LOVE Christmas and EVERYTHING about the season and especially the REASON for the season! So... April rain and spring weather or not... we're getting into the Christmas spirit.

I am so excited that after focusing on Thanksgiving, kind of the pinnacle of celebration for my blog's focus, that I get to continue on with the Lord's emphasis on thanks from His Word. And I love that His timing is perfect and this next verse flows so nicely into His greatest promise and gift of His Son, Jesus.

Let's pick up where we left off in, "An Attitude of Gratitude." I was laying the foundation for David's Psalm of Thanks. This wonderful prayer of thanksgiving is found also in Psalm 105 and allows us to see the gratitude that David is experiencing for God's faithfulness that was a fresh reality in their return to the land promised to Abraham back in Genesis.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8.

What has He done? He has kept his promises through the generations. He has delivered His people from their enemies.

This promise of old repeats itself as we prepare our hearts for the upcoming celebration of the birth of God's own son, Jesus Christ, our deliverer and redeemer.

God's Word has a lot to say about promises. I know I am only scratching the surface with these, but here are a few examples:

In Solomon's prayer (Solomon is David's son and heir to the throne) we read the following outpouring of gratitude for the Lord's faithfulness in keeping His promises,

"Oh Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth - you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it - as it is today." 2 Chronicles 6:14-15

This verse from a psalm of praise from David,

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, all your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." Psalm 145:13

From the writer of Hebrews in a call to persevere,

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

In Peter's letter urging believers to be prepared for the second coming of the Lord,

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise" 2 Peter 3:9a

You see, with just these few examples, God is very serious about promises, covenants, vows... if only we, sinful humans, could follow through as God does. No wonder our courts are overflowing with work to do. Promises. They simply aren't kept like they should be. How many times have you had to say, "I'm sorry, I know I promised, how can I make it up to you?" I've done it too many times. It breaks your heart when your 5 year old looks at you with their big, teary eyes and says, "But you promised". And you did. And you didn't (follow through).

I look at the promises kept that have had a major impact on my life. My parents marriage vow, "Til death parts us." That's exactly what they did. This month would have been their 50th wedding anniversary but God called mom home 3 months and 1 week before this earthly celebration could occur. Or my in-laws "in sickness and health, in good times and bad." They will celebrate 56 years at the end of the month! God bless them for their faithfulness and perseverance.

Why is it that promises don't always hold up? Why is it that sometimes they do? Deep down don't we all want to be known for our integrity... doing what we say we're going to do? So, why is it that it seems like not such a big deal any longer to fall back on our promises just because something else better comes along? Or we get distracted? Or time gets away from us? Or our priorities change? Shouldn't we be aligning our hearts and minds with our Almighty Father and following His lead... and keeping our promises? Where would we be if God got distracted or changed His priorities? It hurts to think about doesn't it?

This sinner is thankful to the point of tears for God's faithfulness in deliverance. For His mercy in allowing me second chances when I don't follow through or get distracted. However, I do so want to please Him and try harder to keep my vows and promises so I don't hurt those that I love and so I, too, can be trusted.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b