We live in a time when promises do not hold much value because, too often promises are made and then broken. If a promise is only as strong as the person who gives it, what assurance do we have in a promise made? Our lives are filled with broken promises made by people, and yet when it comes to God, every promise made is a promise kept. A promise means everything to the one who receives the promise, but when broken, an apology means nothing from the one who broke their word. God never breaks His word.
The key to trusting God is, first of all, not judging God’s ability to keep His word by the same standard that we judge people. If a promise is only as strong as the one giving their word, then the omnipotent creator of all things is able to keep His word. Second, a promise delayed is not a broken promise. God’s promises are never late, but people, on the other hand, have a difficult time waiting on God keeping His word. Satan’s greatest tool is to get you to doubt God’s word, “did God really say…” and to become impatient, believing that divine delays are really God abandoning His promise.
In Jesus’ final words, we read specific instructions, “I am sending forth the promise of my Father, go and wait…” The disciples were to go and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Jesus. Yet there would be a 50-day delay before power would arrive on Pentecost. Imagine the thoughts going through their minds, “How much longer are we going to wait.” There would have been great temptation to doubt the promise, and yet on the Sabbath of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus, who in turn were empowered to become witnesses for Jesus. All this happened just as Jesus said; a promise made and a promise kept.
The Holy Spirit is a down payment of the promises of God. He is the one who will remind us and lead us until Jesus returns or God takes us home. Consider all the promises God has made and kept. Adam was promised a redeemer, and Jesus came. The disciples were promised the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit came. Believers are promised eternal life, and all those who have died in the faith are experiencing a promise fulfilled. Jesus is coming again, and we are waiting, waiting for the promises of God.
What promises are you waiting for? Are you being patient and looking up toward heaven with great anticipation? Don’t lose hope; God always keeps His word.
Pastor Cary