By Not Known
We are bombarded daily with all kinds of “promises” visually and in words – in advertisements, on the menu card, from sales speeches, et cetera. When we are careful to listen or read the fine print, much of what is promised amounts to “hot air”. Some of the terms and conditions are simply onerous on the customers. Even hawker centre dishes served at the table look a far cry from the mouth-watering pictures displayed. Bad promises are easy to make and even easier to keep. But good promises made with integrity of heart are often hard to come by.
In Exodus 11:4, “This is what the LORD says: “About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. Every firstborn son in Egypt will die…” In Exodus 12:29, “At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt…” What God said he would do, he did… without delay, without cutting corners, and with exacting thoroughness. God’s promise did not come with fine print. It was clear and above-board. It left nothing to speculation. And that was good news!
Good promises are those made with integrity of the heart. It means that the one who promises will do whatever it takes to fulfil them. No fine print to worm himself out of; no sub-standard and delayed fulfilment with a load of excuses. Good promises build trust. Good promises stem from unilateral commitment regardless of external situations. A promise-keeper is a trustworthy person whose conscience is clear before God, his heavenly witness.
Of course, we are not always able to make good our promises due to human weaknesses or circumstances beyond our control. But this is never to be an excuse for making bad promises. Only God who makes promises recorded in the Bible can fulfil them all perfectly in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
Let us be people who make good promises at home and at work, just as God in Christ has promised eternal life to all who put their trust in him alone. Amen!
Benson Goh