The Promise Keeper

           The dictionary defines the word “promise” as, “a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.” The ability to keep a promise is dependent upon the power of the individual making it. There have been just a few times that I have made promises such as one's marriage vows or when entering the military. I recall the time in Chicago, Illinois that I raise my right hand and made some promises to the U. S. government in order to join up with the U. S. Navy. I do recall that we all had to raise our right hand and repeat after the man reading the pledge. I was a musician and not what you wold call a “fighting man.” Nevertheless, while on the destroyer for a good will tour of South America, I was stationed on a 44 MM antiaircraft gun. I was a handler of the shells that would come up from the below decks to be placed into the gun. You had to do it fast. Fortunately for me, I never had to handle a single shell, but I had still promised to defend the U. S. A. in a time of war. I don't know how I would have performed such a task while be bombarded by an enemy. There are times when we make promises such as cleaning up your room or taking out the garbage. They might be the easy ones in life. 1 John 2:24-25 says, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” 

          The Bible mentions the word “promise” some 50 or more times and “promises” about 7 times. Promises in the Bible are different in that they are involved in things that a human being simply can't do. Abraham was promised many things and it seems that they were impossible. How was he going to have a son when he and Sarah were so old? How would he be the father of a nation of millions of people? Best of all, how are we going to get to heaven? This is where it is vitally important about the ability of the One making the promise as in these cases is none other than God Himself. The final line of the passage for today says, “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.” We are used to people breaking promises and are very skeptical of anyone making a brash promise that we know they cannot keep. The One Who has made the promise above however is God, the creator of the universe and the One Who has conquered death itself. I have seen small books that are filled with just the promises of God which are meant to be an encouragement to us. When God makes a promises, you can be assured that it will come to pass. One of the great testimonies is the fact that God has never failed in any of His promises. While there are promises of eternal life there are also promises of punishment for those who continually do evil. While we may not understand God's means in a matter, we must stand firm on the fact that God is faithful to His Word to us in all things, both large and small. Praise God today for His promises.