Realistic promises

Something that is very frustrating, upsetting, even depressing, is a promise that is not kept.

It might be someone else's promise. He/She promised to be there and did not show up, the wedding vows broken, the date due not honored, the satisfaction guarantee or money back never true. We suffer when someone does not keep his/her word.

Or, it could be our promises. Words said to our children, to our spouse, to our supervisor...soon forgotten. What about the promises we make to ourselves, breaking these could be worse. "Starting today I will lose weight." " This is the last time I will do this." "Yes, I will quit."  "I will never again..." "From now on I will always."

Why is that we are not able to keep them?

Maybe because most of our promises are impossible to be kept.  We ramble about losing weight, recovering trust, starting something, quitting, avoiding temptations. But since we do not ponder enough on them, in a realistic basis, considering our strengths and our weaknesses, they become ill-constructed promises. And, therefore, bad promises, unattainable.

Bad promises easily become unkept promises. They can just as easily be either big or small. Harmless or deadly. Promises that produce life or end up in death - growth of a friendship or end of a relationship. The idea of a great project, the destruction of a beautiful goal.

Thankfully, we can remember the Word of God - gently, firm, trustworthy. No Word from God will ever fail. (Luke 1:37) This does not read "some" or "many," not "almost all of." It reads, "no Word...will ever fail." That equals "He will keep them all." When He promises He keeps His Word. The greatest promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ and guarantees His promises to be trustworthy. Certain. Enduring. Real!

The record of His promises is in The Bible and that is where we find solid ground to make our promises. Realistic, well though out, possible promises. This is how we know that they will more likely be kept. Yet, even if or when we fail to keep them He gives forgiveness...the renewal of trust and the strength to go on.

With a promise so wonderfully kept, the heart surely rejoices!

Rev. Lucas André Albrecht
Chaplain at Ulbra, Parish Pastor at “St. Paul”,
Canoas ,RS, Brazil
www.twitter.com/lucasdje

Translator:

Rev. Paulo S. Albrecht

Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

Text  revision

Ms. Kim Starr

MA Practical Theology & Deaconess Certified

Wisconsin, US