What is a Promise? A promise is an assurance given that one will or will not do something; a pledge; a vow; an indication of what may be expected. A promise is only as good or faithful as the person who makes the promise.
Promises, Promises
In our nation it is midterm election year. Primaries are happening now. In our small town in Georgia, voting day is May 24. We will be electing some local officials as well as determining who will be on the ballot in the November election. Campaigns have been going on for months. My phone has been bombarded with calls and texts and our mailbox has been flooded with material from many of the candidates making well-meaning promises and asking for my vote. As in all elections, some of the promises made by the winning candidates, for different reasons, never happen. For some of us, the election process, knowing who to believe and who to trust, can be overwhelming. I have determined to do two things, pray and vote.
We Fail to Keep Promises
From time to time we all fail to keep promises. The broken promise usually brings hurt and disappointment. Contracts are broken and no care is given to obligations. Politicians make promises that are broken soon after election. Friendships are ruined because of a broken promise of trust. It seems that marriage vows are now so easily broken. At the wedding altar, the promise is made “forsaking all others keep thee only unto myself so long as we both shall live.” Yet, in light of America’s divorce rate, these words are only words in a ceremony, not from the desire or intent of the heart. Breaking marriage vows and divorce are devastating to all involved. Children are confused and insecure because of broken promises of their parents. A member of my family experienced the devastation of broken promises. One day her husband of twenty-six years walked in and said, “I’m leaving. I want a divorce. I don’t love you any more.” Her world was turned upside down, never to be righted again. Her husband failed to keep his promise. On the other side, I read of a husband who spent many years of his life caring for his ill and helpless wife. Someone asked him, “How do you do it?” His answer was, “I made a promise.” In this changing age of broken promises, it is good to be able to trust ONE who cannot change. “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6). It is good to be able to trust a God who cannot lie, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). Throughout the Scriptures, God has made thousands of promises and He will not break one of them. He is faithful and true. God can definitely be trusted to do as He promises.
Promises We Can Trust
“He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee…” – Hebrews13:5
The word forsake means to abandon; to leave alone; to give up on; to leave helpless. A Christian can trust the promise of God that he will never be abandoned, forsaken or left helpless. He will never let us down. God has made us a personal promise. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” This verse is one of my favorites. It brings comfort and peace to my heart. Years ago Evangelist Jack Green said, “You can depend on this verse frontwards or backwards.
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,”
or “Thee forsake nor thee leave, never will I.”
My reference to this wonderful promise has been in Hebrews 13:5. However, I have discovered similar phrases in the Old Testament.
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8
“I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” – Joshua 1:5
“Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…” – I Chronicles 28:20
The promises in these verses were made to specific people and God kept His word. The promise that He will never leave nor forsake is made to us today, and we can be assured that God will keep His promise. In our service for Him, He promises, “…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
In our time of trouble, He is with us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Even in death His presence is promised, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4). In this age of broken promises, I am so glad we have someone we can fully trust and know that He will always be “there” for us. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
That’s a promise we can always trust!
This is written because I care – Carlene
