Promises

Have you ever seen a TV drama in which a brave parent, policeman, or concerned adult makes a promise to a child:
     "I will not let anyone hurt you; I promise."
     "We will find the people who did this; I promise."
     "I will return before springtime; I promise."

I know, it's television, but I cringe every time I hear it: "I promise."

Can anyone make promises like that?

'TV Land' is not reality. In the real world promises are sometimes kept and sometimes not. It can be difficult to keep our promises to be on time or attend a child's activity. LIFE happens and we sometimes unintentionally break a promise.

When people make bold promises like the 'TV promises,' they seem more like fantasy, not reality. Yet, God made some astounding promises, and they are no fantasy.

Just think back to ancient Israel in the Old Testament and God's warnings against idolatry. Those warnings included His promised action against Israel if they persisted in their idolatry. In His warnings God actually promised Israel three chances to turn back and make things right. Ultimately, if they would not turn from idolatry he warned that he would give them over to a foreign power as captives: another promise. (Read His promises in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 4.)

By the time of Daniel God's promises of warning were history. God's people had been idolatrous and had been taken from their homeland by the king of Babylon...according to promise. They would remain in captivity for 70 years, yet another promise.

The 9th chapter of the book of Daniel is a beautiful prayer in which Daniel recognized the failure of his people because of their idolatry. A reading of the text makes it clear that Daniel had an intimate knowledge of God's instruction and His promises in the Law of Moses. Not only did he understand that the Babylonian captivity was a promise that God had kept, he also recognized that there was a solution based on promise.

O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. See how your city--the city that bears Your name [Jerusalem]--lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
--Daniel 9:18 (New Living Translation)

How did Daniel know to appeal to God's mercy? How did he know to appeal for forgiveness and restoration? Long before that time God had already promised that he would listen to such a plea.

God had not only warned the Israelites with promised discipline; He had openly shared with them the way to repair their broken relationship with Him. His solution was nothing less than promised acceptance and return to their land if they would return to him.

Many people merely see God as a rule maker. Yet the Bible is full of promises. Yes, there are strong promises of warning for those who turn away from Him. However, there are wonderful promises of salvation, acceptance and hope for those who respond to God in faith and humility. And God's promises are truly out of this world!

May we stand in AWE of our God who has given us promises; our God who does not lie!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett