Beyond "Political Statements": The Unbreakable Promises of Our God

 

    We've all witnessed it. The campaign speeches filled with bold pronouncements, the unwavering commitments made with conviction. Yet, as the dust settles and the realities of governance take hold, those promises often seem to evaporate like morning mist, don't they. It sometimes leaves you wondering "Hey have you forgot about what you said just a few months ago?" 

     We hear explanations, justifications about "evolving circumstances," and needing to reach across the isle. Sometimes we hear things about how they don't have enough votes anyway. Or a thousand other reasons why they can't do the very things that they promised they would do. It can leave us all feeling a bit used, and frustrated. 

     Machiavelli, once said "the promise given was a necessity of the past; the word broken is the necessity of the present," that sadly seems to echo in the halls of capital hill today. We've become accustomed to a certain level of disillusionment, where trust in the words of leaders can feel fragile. Broken promises erode credibility, leaving us cynical and hesitant to believe what we hear.

    But in this landscape of shifting sands and broken vows, there stands a steadfast rock: the unwavering faithfulness of our God. Unlike fallible humans, whose words can be swayed by expediency or circumstance, God's promises are not mere "statements" subject to change but Divine statements that can not be changed nor eroded. They are the very foundation of His character, immutable and true.

    Romans 4:21 (ESV) beautifully captures this truth in the life of Abraham: "[Abraham was] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."

    Consider Abraham's story for just a moment. God's promise seemed utterly improbable: that this elderly man, whose wife Sarah was barren and past childbearing age, would become the father of many nations (Genesis 15:5, 17:15-16). Years passed, filled with waiting and  moments of doubt. Yet, Abraham chose to believe in the God of promise. He anchored his hope not in his own failing body or Sarah's inability to conceive, but in the unwavering character of the Promise-Maker.

       Abraham knew that since God had spoken, it would come to pass. His faith wasn't a blind leap into the dark, but a confident trust in the integrity of God's Word. And the narrative unfolds with the miraculous birth of Isaac, the first step in the fulfillment of God's grand promise. Through Isaac, and his descendants, Abraham indeed became the father of many nations, both physically and spiritually.

    I believe the lesson for us today is profound and deeply comforting: we can place our absolute trust in God and His Word. When we encounter a promise in Scripture, we are not reading wishful thinking or outdated pronouncements. We are not holding on hope that they might be fulfilled.  We are encountering the very character of God, who is incapable of lying or failing to deliver on His word.

Think about the sheer scope of God's promises:

• Salvation through Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, ESV).
• The presence of the Holy Spirit: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever" (John 14:16, ESV). 
• Peace that surpasses understanding: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27, ESV). 
• Strength in times of weakness: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV).
• His unfailing love: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV). 

  
 This is just a few of the many promises that we have from God that we can put our faith and trust in.

These are not mere "political statements" from a distant deity. They are the firm and unbreakable commitments of a loving Father who has both the power and the will to fulfill them. Circumstances may shift around us, people may break their word, but God remains the same – yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

    So, what are some promises of God that you need to hold onto today? Perhaps you are facing a challenge that seems insurmountable. Remember God's promise of strength and provision. Maybe you are wrestling with fear or anxiety. Cling to His promise of peace. Whatever your situation, search the Scriptures for the promises that speak directly to your need and anchor your faith in them. Rest in the knowledge that these promises cannot be broken or even bended, but are established in the very character of God. 

Let us not be swayed by the broken promises of the world. Instead, let us fix our eyes on the One whose word is truth and whose faithfulness endures to all generations. Don't put so much faith and trust in the words of fallible men, but place your full faith and trust in the Infallible God of the Bible. 

Here are 2-3 practical applications to consider this week:

1. Identify a Promise: Take some time to read through Scripture and identify a specific promise of God that resonates with a current need or challenge in your life. Write it down. 
2. Meditate and Memorize: Spend time meditating on the meaning of that promise and consider memorizing the verse where it is found. This will allow you to recall it easily when doubts arise.
3. Pray with Confidence: Bring that specific promise before God in prayer, reminding Him of His Word and expressing your trust in His ability to fulfill it.