What is a Promise?
A promise can be a noun or a verb, a vow or a hope. It is a vow or a bond, or a giving his word as affirming, assenting. It is a relationship built on trust.
A kept promise in this day and age has lost its truth a
nd intenseness. A man is as good as his word…a promise. There is no deviousness, no ulterior motive or words spoken for the purpose of manipulation or ulterior motive.
As a child I remember giving my word and
saying, “Cross my heart and hope to die.” I often wished I were a boy, so that I could say “Scout’s honor”, too, while holding up two fingers. A promise is not given lightly. A promise is a ‘cross my heart’ statement.
I recall my father-in-law saying that in West Texas, “A man’s bond is as good as his word!” This is when he wanted to buy mules with no money. He was told by the rancher to take the mules home and when the crop in, then he could pay him, the early nineteen hundreds. When Rufus Edgar Combs told his Uncle about the business transaction, his comment was….“If a man’s word ain’t no good, and his name ain’t good, what’s the use of wasting all the paper (for an agreement of purchase)?” (More of the memories of Rufus Edgar Combs)
He knew that an honorable reputation is built on kept promises, not broken promises. He knew that a kept promises result in hope and trust.
I return to my first question – “What is a promise?”
We have an extraordinary fall, that crawls into mid-November. Yesterday I was greeted by the sun, a soft chorus of birds, the rustling of walking through leaves – and knew the promise-kiss of a new day. The robins, confused, extend their time with us. The New Day! I thanked God for His blessing and I knew that each day in His Love is like Spring.
Ask the young bride and groom as they exchange wedding vows ‘until death do them part’. As I looked into the eyes of my prospective son-in-law, Brent, I saw the adoration in his eyes as he gazed at Anna, I saw the promise of the fruition of their love. The kind of relationship that lasts at least 50 years and beyond.
Ask the young mother, who gazes into the face of her newborn and sees the promise of this life to be nourished an
d grow. When we moved to Howard, Kansas, and I looked at my three young sons at the breakfast table, waiting like little birds trusting to be fed, I was overwhelmed. I felt the responsibility for their well-being, I knew that only through God’s help, could I care for these children.
Ask those who are in search of freedom in this country and have enjoyed it for more than one hundred years. Freedom that is built in the Constitution of United States of America. It was a promise, and still a promise for those who uphold the tenets of the constitution under God. It is not just a manuscript on parchment, but the heart’s cry for freedom.
What is promise? A promise is hope for the hopeless. A promise is a possibility of encouragement, a glorious outlook on life that motivates and provides understanding of God’s Promises.
Matthew 23:16 gives the importance of a promise, no matter where or when it was made.
A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.
A promise, lightly given, is still a promise “until death do us part“. Proverbs 30:5 – The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; He protects everyone who runs to Him for help. So don’t second-guess Him; He might take you to task and show up your lies.”
Believing a promise that demands faith. From the beginning God has promised eternal life on the basis of faith of all his children in Him. Genesis 9:12 – I’m putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbowappears in the cloud, I’ll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life. When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth.”
When is that gift coming for God’s children? The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Ii Peter 3:9
A promise is a promise! A promise is an unpaid debt. A promise is a statement laden with God-import. “I am clinging to the promise of a lifetime” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5dUJ5z2oA4)