8-3-2019

      

  Good Morning All,

Psalm 18:30; “God’s way is perfect!  The promise of the Lord has proven to be true.  He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.”

    “I promise!”  How often do we say this?  How often do we, with all serious intention, promise to do something?  We promise to visit; we promise to get the job done.  We promise to help our spouse with some project; we promise to attend our grandchild’s ballgame.  We promise; sometimes we even “double promise” trying to imply that this is a guaranteed, no way will we ever fail.  Yet, we fail and fail often.  We fail so often that many know better than to rely on our promise.  Our promise, even if it is with the best of intentions; fall short.  When this happens as often as it does, it can make it difficult for some to believe that God keeps His. 

    There is, of course, all the difference between.  We use the word “promise” very lightly with little regard for it.  When we make a promise, it is hollow because we never offer any consequence for our failure.  If you make a promise and fail to keep it; we usually go “oh, well, I’ll try better next time.”  What if you make a promise, and upon failing to keep it, you agreed to give up one month’s pay.  That might be a little more incentive!  Or what if you offered your life?  That might change things.

    God made that promise.  When he made his covenant promise to Abraham, God made a sacred oath to Abraham and his descendents that he would never break it.  He promised to always bless them and to keep them as his chosen people.  Then he promised to destroy himself if he failed to keep this promise; now that is a promise keeper!

    When God made this promise, he never intended to destroy himself.  This was to show us the depth of the promise that he made.  This promise will never be broken and you and I can take great comfort in this truth.  No promise made to us will ever be broken by God.  His promise to never abandon us, his promise to keep us safe, his promise of salvation, his promise of peace will never be broken.  God’s promise is sacred and completely trustworthy.

     So when the battles of life come upon us, we know that God is always there.  He is always there to give us hope.  Whatever happens, God will always be with us.  We are never alone; we never have to face any challenge with fear; for God is with us and has promised us the victory through Jesus.  We can always face the trials of today with peace because we have the victory.  Jesus gives us the victory and in him we always have hope.  We can always know that God keeps his promises and we have his assurance, forever!

Loving Father, your mercies are new to us each day and they never fail us.  Guide us by your Holy Spirit to always trust in your will.  Guide us to always know that you will never fail or abandon us.  Give us your peace that as we go forward, we may give your peace to those in need of your grace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret