Meandering Monday - Keeping Promises - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name. Hebrews 6:13 NLT

He served as the United States military advisor to the Philippines.

The day after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor—December 7, 1941—they launched an invasion against his adopted home. He was forced to flee his island fortress in 1942. Unfortunately, 90,000 Americans and Filipinos were left behind without adequate provisions or protection. As he fled to Australia, he made a promise to the people of the Philippines: “I shall return.”

Over the next two- and one-half years, it was a promise he repeated several times. On October 20, 1944, shortly after his troops had landed on the island of Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore and made a public radio announcement: “People of the Philippines. I have returned!”

God told Abraham to leave his homeland and head for a place he’d never seen before. God also promised him he would stand by his side as he traveled. He would give him descendants as numerous as the stars in the heaven and the sands on the seashore. The assurance of the promise came when God swore by his own name, a name above which there was none greater.

When I make a promise, a handshake won’t suffice. Nor will saying, “I promise to pay,” or “I promise to do…” Anything I purchase on credit or any service I promise to perform must be accompanied by mounds of paperwork and countless signatures as well as initialing. In addition to protecting the one I’m doing business with, the contracts protect me as well.

Despite the legal issues involved in any purchase or act of service, we should be as good as our word. God was, and he’s our great example. He never reneges on his promise to love and care for us. Empty promises are of no value and reflect poorly on the one we claim to represent. Our “I shall return” promises should be legitimate, well-intentioned, and only postponed—or broken—when extenuating circumstances exist.

Have you made promises that need fulfilling?

Prayer: God in heaven, thank You that we can depend on Your promises. Give us strength to be as faithful as You when we make promises to others. 

Tweetable: How are you at keeping promises? 

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