Promises, promises...

In any election (the next one may be here sooner than you think…well maybe not), aspiring politicians will make promises about roads, playgrounds, traffic control, hospital waiting lists, the Albert Basin park and anything else that bothers us! Some may be kept but others come under the heading of political promises, given to secure a vote and we are not surprised when they are not kept because we never really expected that. It is just a kind of game we all play.

Courtrooms are filled with the skeletons of broken promises. People swear before God to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth but even as the words of promise are spoken stories are hatched that twist the realities to tell a truth that is not the truth at all.

Promises are not words only. They are tied to the character and authority of the promise maker and this is important when we think of the promises that God makes. He promised never to flood the earth again. He promised to send Jesus. He promised to forgive all our sins (if we ask him). He promises heaven to all those who believe. How can God make absolute promises without any small print that allows for change without accountability? The simple answer is that he is Almighty God and as such is able to do exactly what he promises! He is the God who made everything; the God who sent Jesus into the world. He is Almighty and compassionate and he is a promise keeper. Let me share a promise from God that will be kept. Jesus said these words and you can read them in John’s gospel, chapter 5 and verses 24. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. God’s promise is certain. If we believe in God’s way of Salvation we can be sure that we will be forgiven, be given eternal life and will not be condemned. God keeps his promises!