“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Have you ever made a promise, intending with all your might to keep it? But then you discovered that circumstances beyond your control would prevent you from being true to your word. I have, and there’s one that I still regret even to this day.
My cousin, Dwight, and I enjoyed all the good things of country life when he and his parents were on leave. Since my Uncle Cecil was a career military officer, Dwight and I didn’t get to see each other that often. But when we did, we made the most of it and were as close as first cousins could be.
During his dad’s military career, Dwight lived in several different countries. While attending college, he also took long breaks to roam. Once, he even backpacked through Europe. Dwight was quiet and somewhat introverted, but his actions proved he was an adventure-seeking guy. After we got older, I sensed that he was somehow trying to find himself during those years. He finally settled down after earning his law degree here in Texas. Dwight loved East Texas and eventually moved to Hemphill to become the County Attorney for Sabine County, Texas. By then, he was married with a child. Being a Civil War enthusiast, he named their son Harper Longstreet McDaniel.
Fast forward several years. While serving as Sabine County Attorney, Dwight was diagnosed with a brain tumor and went for surgery to where he was told the best brain surgeon practiced—Arizona. While he was in surgery, he had a stroke, leaving him physically and mentally challenged. A few years later, he passed away. It was heartbreaking for many of us to know Dwight was gone.
I was honored when Dwight’s wife, Patricia, asked me to speak at his funeral service. I stood before at least 200 people, looking Harper and his mom squarely in the eye, promising that I would attend Harper’s high school graduation ceremony, which was coming up in a few months. I so wanted to honor Dwight in this way. It wasn’t until later that I learned the date of Harper’s graduation conflicted with my oldest granddaughter Heather’s graduation. Without question, I had to choose hers. I regretted not being able to keep my promise to Harper and his mom. I know they understood my dilemma and thought nothing of it. Still, I have always believed promises are meant to be kept.
We are all human and will unintentionally break a promise here and there. But isn’t it wonderful to have everlasting assurance that the promises we find in God’s Word will never be broken? God intends to keep His promises, for His Word does not change. There are many promises found in the Bible, but some of my favorites are that He will never leave us, He will give us needed strength and wisdom, He will lead us on the best path if we allow Him to, and He will take care of us through every storm of grief, pain, and suffering. He is there for ALL areas of our lives and meets each of us, as different as we are, at the point of our needs. Whatever our situation, He is always ready to help us, give comfort, and further direct us. He has an answer for everything that concerns us.
Without a doubt, God’s plans for us are the best! We could never accomplish what He wants to do in and through us. His mercies are new every morning as we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. More than anything, we have the assurance that His promises will always stand.
Prayer: Father God, You are a Promise Keeper. Your Word and the many promises found therein continue to stand the test of time and will do so throughout all eternity. Thank You for giving Yourself through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ so that we might be reconciled to You. In so doing, we gain access to all the promises You have made available for those who believe in Jesus. Help us to walk in the light of every truth from Your Word as we journey through this life. I pray these things in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
As always, dear sister, your writings inspire me to think of better things. Yes, I too have made promises that I did not keep, sometimes out of necessity, but also occasionally because I was not committed enough to make a way to fulfill a promise made. I recall so well a promise I made to my wife. She wanted to go to Hawaii on our 40th wedding anniversary, but for some reason that escapes me now I told her to wait and we would go for a special time on our 50th anniversary. I believe my motives were pure, but I still greatly regret that we didn’t go when she wanted, for she went home to be with the Lord a month before our 45th anniversary. That is a stark reminder to me to be careful in making promises and to be diligent in keeping the promises that I have made. Thankfully as you have suggested, God does not have any problems with fulfilling those promises He has made.