The Promise Keeper

I shifted my gaze from the apple I was cutting, and there taped to my cupboard was a faded index card. The edges were frayed and watermarks covered some of the words, but it was still legible. It had been there so long it blended into normal. I paused and read out loud, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14 ESV). Everything around me seemed to stand still as God once again impressed this verse upon my heart. Several years ago God had spoken to me through this verse regarding a specific situation and I was still awaiting its fulfillment. 

My gift to Jesus last Christmas was a commitment to stand on his promises daily. One of our family traditions is to give a gift to Jesus each Christmas. We have a stocking for Jesus, and Christmas morning we write out something we want to “give” Jesus for the coming year; something we want to commit to him, grow in, or give up completely. To help me focus on God’s promises, I wrote them on index cards, put them on my phone’s lock screen, and committed others to memory.

Abiding and declaring God‘s promises has been such a blessing to me so far in 2019. Oh how easily we neglect the precious promises that God has given to us! The theme of God‘s unfailing promises is very popular in Christian music these days, and yet do we actually use these promises in our daily lives? To fight the battles that we are in. To give us hope when we become discouraged. To give us the faith to encourage a friend in need. And so much more!

A promise is something we need to believe if it’s going to hold any weight. We have all been at the disappointing end of empty promises, but this is not God’s way. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19). God’s track record is 100%, and that is not going to change. Therefore we should not be dismayed when life’s circumstances appear to stand contrary to what God has promised. 

Just like that index card in my kitchen, the promises of God fade and wear over time as we await their completion. BUT, that makes them no less true. God is patient, awaiting the appointed time. God may not show up early, but he is never late!

What promise does God want to revive in your heart today? Please do share!