God’s Promises

We find ourselves in the eighteenth chapter of Acts, verses eighteen through twenty-two. According to the Bible, when Paul left Corinth, he went to Syria. We are told he got a haircut for the occasion. It was not a fashion statement; however, it did symbolize the end of a sacred period. Paul did not travel alone. He was accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Like Paul, they were both tentmakers and believers. They parted when they got to Ephesus. As usual, Paul goes into the synagogue and tells everyone about Jesus. What is unusual about this story is that Paul’s words fall on welcoming ears. When Paul tells them he must leave, they ask him to stay. He leaves, but promises to come back, God willing. At the end of our reading, Paul finds himself in Caesarea. 

Paul’s promise cannot be overlooked. He promised to return to Ephesus, God willing. I fell in love with that line because it is just so human. In the very next chapter, chapter nineteen, we learn that Paul did return to Ephesus. He kept his promise and was as good as his word. Do you keep all your promises? It is not as easy as it sounds. Sociologists tell us we make promises regularly. In a lifetime we make countless promises. All promises can be grouped into one of three categories.

The first kind of promise is a healthy promise. Those are the promises you make that you fully intend to keep. On the night my daughter was born, I held her in the delivery room. She was perfect and I made a promise that changed my life. I promised her I would always be there for her and would help her in any way I could. I intend to keep that promise until I die. I did not need to write that promise down because it was tattooed on my heart. How many healthy promises have you made?

The second kind of promise is a shallow promise. These promises look like a strong, healthy promise, but conditions exist. People make shallow promises to me all the time. I will officiate at a wedding or funeral for an unchurched family. At some level I connect with them. I am sorry to see the occasion end because I know I will never see them again. As we are parting, they express their appreciation and say to me, “What time is your mass? I may show up someday.” Do you know how many of those good people have shown up through the years? The answer is zero. They said it and they meant it, but something always came up to prevent them from coming. The weather was too nice, their favorite great aunt was getting married again, or they had a hard week, so they required another hour of sleep. Shallow promises look like a strong, healthy promise, but conditions exist. How many shallow promises have you made? 

The third kind of promise is a criminal promise. From the moment these promises are made, you have no intention of keeping them. When I was a student pastor in Kentucky, I had a parishioner who was a chain smoker with a horrible cough. I talked to her after her annual physical. She told me it went well but the doctor made her promise to stop smoking. As she told me, she lit up another cigarette and said, “The doctor needs to mind his own business.” She died of lung cancer in 2013. How many criminal promises have you made? Paul’s promise to return to Ephesus was a healthy promise. He was committed to returning to the Ephesians.

Years ago, I was given a book called God’s Promises. That book listed thousands of God’s promises. God never made a shallow promise. God never made a criminal promise. God only makes healthy promises. He hasn’t broken a single promise. I don’t have time to examine all of God’s promises, but I do have time to examine seven. I found this list on the website thewitnesstoday.com. It has merit.

God promises to be our strength. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” That happens when God is the foundation of our lives. In a world that is constantly changing, God remains consistent. As Christian people, we must wait, and trust God and know He will be victorious in the end. That hope revives our souls and gives us strength.

God promises to never leave us. Hebrews 13:5 says, “For He has said, ‘I will never leave or abandon you.’” That means there has never been a moment in your life when you have ever been alone. God is with us during life’s most rewarding experiences and God is with us during life most challenging experiences. That fact is important because one of the great fears in life is being alone. Those of us of faith know we have never been alone. God is with us!

God promises he has a plan for us to prosper. Jeremiah 29:11 says. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.”  Each one of us is born with a divine purpose. You were not just born to be a consumer. You were born to fulfill a particular purpose. The goal is not financial success, the goal is spiritual success.

God promises to hear our prayers. Psalm 139:4 says, “Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely.”  Prayer is a central part of the Christian faith. It is one of the spiritual practices we must practice to grow spiritually. Historians tell us John Calvin (1509-1564), John Knox (1514-1572) and John Wesley (1703-1791) each prayed two hours a day. Their prayers did not fall on deaf ears. Our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. God hears every word.

God promises to fight for us. Exodus 14:14 says, “Ther Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” That quote came from the story of the exodus. The Egyptians were far more powerful than the Hebrews, yet in the end the Hebrews were victorious. It is not just true in the Bible; it is true in life. In the end, God will prevail.

God promises to give us peace. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” That verse is not talking about political peace. There are over one hundred wars in our world today. That verse is talking about spiritual peace. It is the kind of peace that offers harmony and calmness of body, mind and spirit trusting in the power and grace of God.

God promises to always love us. 1 John 4:16 says, God is love. Whoever lives in love lives with God, and God in them.” God’s love is unconditional. That means God loves everyone. That means God loves the people you love and the people you cannot tolerate. That means God loves the strangest person of all, YOU! Never forget God keeps his promises. All of God’s promises are healthy promises.

In this election year, let me tell you this election story. In the 1916 Presidential election, President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was running against Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948). During Wilson’s first four years, war had broken out in Europe. Our country was fixated on that war, and emotionally sided with the allies. However, many did not want our country to take military action. Wilson knew how many felt and promised during the campaign to keep America out of the war. His campaign slogan was “He kept us out of war.” Do you remember your American history?

Months after winning the election, Wilson changed his tune. He went to Congress to approve a declaration of war, and he got what he wanted. The United States entered World War I and 53,513 Americans died in battle. Many historians consider Woodrow Wilson one of the greatest liars in American history. The important question is: how are you doing with your promises? Paul kept his promise and returned to Ephesus. Can the same thing be said about you? American businessman Anthony Hitt once said, “Keep every promise you make and only make promises you can keep.” 

Years ago, I was given a book called God’s Promises. That book listed thousands of God’s promises. He hasn’t broken one. How are you doing with your promises?