THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 9, 2024

Lord, listening to politicians rattle on during this never-ending election season, I’m reminded of an old saying: “Promises and pie crusts are made for breaking.”

Most promises are usually made in good faith and meant to be fulfilled. Keeping one’s word defines one’s integrity. Nonetheless, people make unrealistic promises during emotional highs or depressing lows. How many steamy promises have been promised during moments of passion? Sadly, millions have lost life savings falling for the promises of Ponzi schemes.

Without stopping to evaluate the circumstances, did the psalmist make promises off the top of his head, then realized he could not keep what he promised? Dare I say haven’t we all? Maybe the promise sounded good at the time, but then reality showed up and we’re left facing what did I commit to?

If I may step out on a limb, Lord, may I speak for most believers to claim the majority of our promises are to obey your Word and develop a closer relationship with you. Living in this broken world, we need heavy doses of your grace to keep our promises.

Who among believers can identify with the psalmist striving to win this timeless obedience battle:

“I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again, I will obey your righteous regulations” (Psalm 119:106 NLT)

Lord, you are faithful to keep your promises toward your people. Without your Holy Spirit, we cannot keep our promises in our strength. It’s not because we don’t want to, but just trying to fulfill our spiritual obligations in our human strength is futile.

Amen, Jesus.