A Promise Kept

"But you promised!"  When my children were young, they were really good at holding me to my word.   I quickly learned to avoid making a promise of any kind lest it be thrown back at me if things didn't work out as planned.

In 2 Chronicles 6:10, Solomon reflects on a promise God made and kept: "The Lord has kept the promise he made.  I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel."  God promised David a son who would become king of God's people.  That son and king was Solomon.  God also gave Solomon a time of peace and security in which to build the temple as well as many other marvelous buildings.

This is the time of year when we remember another promise that God made -- this one to Mary:  "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end"  (Luke 1:31-33).  That Son is Jesus - the same Jesus who made another wonderful promise to His disciples:  "…I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:3).

Our Heavenly Father has made many wonderful promises.  He has no need to avoid making promises for He is more than able to keep each and every one.  No matter what comes up, no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible the circumstances, God's Word stands.  Mary's promise is also our promise.  Jesus, the Son, the King will rule forever.  He will come back to be with us forever.  Now that's a promise worth holding on to!