Promises. Promises. It is often said that “they are only as good as the people who make them”. While that may be true, there are certainly other reasons that a promise may be broken. There are circumstantial and unexpected events that can make it hard or even impossible for people with the best intentions to keep a commitment. What may be a promise to one person could be far less of a commitment to the other. If a promise is made out of obligation or under duress, the fulfillment becomes very unpredictable. However, when promises are made by a person with honorable intentions and the ability and willingness to keep the vow, it can enhance a relationship, make difficult challenges possible, and be a great and wonderful encouragement to everyone. At times, a kind and or helpful promise can even turn sadness to joy or despair to hope.
When the writer to the Hebrews wanted to encourage the faith of his readers, he reminded them more than once of the promises which God Himself made to all those who would put their trust in Him. Unlike us, God will never forget. He will never be too busy. He will never be unreliable. He cannot lie. “He bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind – Hebrews 6: 17 NLT. No circumstances are beyond his control. Hope is the settled confidence that looks to the future, knowing that God will someday keep all His promises. “It is an anchor for our soul, firm and secure because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the One Who guarantees it” – Hebrews 7:22.
One of the kindest things that a friend can do for you is to remind you of God’s unfailing promises. One of the most loving things that you can do for someone else is help them to hold on to what they know to be the solid truth that is found in God’s Word. We need each other for encouragement and hope!
