Promises Kept
“On promise me that someday you and I will take our hearts together to some sky.”(Clement Scott)
I sang this song for wedding after wedding…never realizing the import of the lyrics to make a pledge of love until death do us part.
I realize now that it takes a lifetime of ‘better or worse, richer or poorer until death do us part” before we see the true panorama of a kept promise. It takes a lifetime to meld two hearts together, to truly walk as one – with one purpose, with humility, honor, and respect added to the original passion of love to enhance and build a life together as one.
Another facet of love commitment becomes evident when we hold our firstborn baby and all those who follow in our arms. We look into the tiny faces as tiny fingers wrap over one of our fingers. We realize the original promise has enlarged to another being we will love until death do us part. We want to give these little ones a mighty gift beyond things in this world. We want to give them love eternal.
As we grew up, a promise might be a simple ‘pinkie-swear’ with our friends. As we grow up we hear nice phrases that may or may not be true – “I’m there for you…” “If you need something call me…” Or “I got your back”, or “Let’s get together sometime.”
Two generations back, giving one’s word was a binding commitment. My Dad once told me, “I have nothing to give you except my name.” And it was enough. Dad was trusted and truthful and responsible in all he did and said.
My father-in-law told of needing horses to farm but had no money. He went to his neighbor, and he took Edgar’s word as a binding contract. Today we need a team of lawyers to write up a contract signed by all parties to make a promise binding. And yet there are those who will break a written contract with no more compunction than changing an order in a restaurant or returning an article of clothing.
God loves us, and He chose us before the beginning of time. He planned then to send His Word in flesh – Jesus. Jesus brought us the promise of salvation – and eternity of living with Him after our life here on earth. Our life on earth is pictured in a marriage with fidelity, honor, respect, humility – melding our hearts together through a lifetime of living with the love and promises of God through Jesus in our hearts.
In her eighties, Anna Daisy (Suderman) Siemens wrote a book she entitled, “The Lines Are Fallen”. This book is now out of print. Confused then as to the title, I knew Mom had a reason. It is found, in a few words, just before the Foreword. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6
After I read the entirety of Psalm16, I truly understood the depth of spiritual content of the title of her book. “The Lines are Fallen” is written in story form so future generations may realize the strong faith that motivated our forefathers. We need to remember and nurture that faith as a precious heritage.
Mom’s closing words of the foreword read – My own life became richer through these months with my forefathers and family always in mind. May you be strengthened to walk in faith as you read this book.” ADS
Mom saw the inheritance through the determination of our ancestors to worship and live for God. The heartaches and hardships of immigration only strengthened their resolve to live for Jesus. Philippians 4:12-13 – I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
How can we keep the promises we make? First, we must make the first promise to love and live for Christ Alone. Secondly, understand when we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we are sealed, promised, to God. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
It is through the love of Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life, we can keep all promises made as we live for Him. This binding promise to the One we cannot see but lives in our hearts is the zenith of love.
How do we begin this journey to our spiritual inheritance? Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
It is all about love, for God is Love. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13
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