Promises – Promises

A promise is a declaration of something to be done or not done. It is saying what I will do or won’t do prior to the occasion. I make promises every day to my wife, my family, my friends, my co-workers, clients and customers. If I keep my promises, my honor and integrity grow. If I ignore my promises, then my word means nothing, and my honor is lacking or diminished.  I am reminded to be careful what I say and what I promise. I don’t need to make promises flippantly or without forethought.

I’ve made a few promises to the Lord for sure. There are promises that I’ve made that were unkept and some that I’m still walking out each day. It’s easier to make a promise than to keep the promise. The promise builds in accountability for sure.

The people of Israel, under Nehemiah’s leadership decided to make their promises and commitments in writing. This makes the promises and commitments more concrete, measurable and accountable. Check this out….

²⁸ Then the rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, Temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the pagan people of the land in order to obey the Law of God, together with their wives, sons, daughters, and all who were old enough to understand— ²⁹ joined their leaders and bound themselves with an oath. They swore a curse on themselves if they failed to obey the Law of God as issued by his servant Moses. They solemnly promised to carefully follow all the commands, regulations, and decrees of the Lord our Lord (Nehemiah 11:28-29 NLT)

I’m not afraid to make a promise, but I need to be discerning before I make the promise. I’m still living out promises I made years ago. I promised to be faithful and committed to my wife. All other relationships, other than my commitment to the Lord, are subject to that promise. I also made promises to my children that I’d be here for them, through the good times and the hard times.

I’m still make promises to serve, honor and respect others. I may not see “eye to eye” with you on everything, but I will still keep my promises.  I have made promises in haste and then had to stop and admit that I have “bitten off more than I can chew”. This is very humbling for sure. When I have to back up from a promise made, it feels like I’ve lied.  I’m still learning that any promise I make to others is still subject to my promise to the Lord and to my wife. They are the highest on my list of promises and all others promises are subject to them.

If my values are clear, then the promises I make will be easy to decide.  I promise to follow the Lord all the days of my life. I promise to love and cherish my wife the rest of my life too.

Pressing On!

Dwayne