Give Me Promises I Can Believe In!
The election is over. Now let’s see if all the promises made in the run up to the election will be fulfilled. After all we did hear a lot of promises: stronger economy, better hospitals and better schools. But when politicians promise you something, are you certain that they will deliver?
It’s a sad fact of political life that prospective MPs will promise you everything and very often give you nothing. They often prove to be unreliable and unable to fulfil much of their electoral manifesto.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be given promises that we can totally rely on? Promises made by someone who would never let us down and who is able to do everything he has promised.
God has given us promises that are trustworthy and reliableHere’s the good news. God has given us many promises in the Bible that are trustworthy and reliable. These promises are much better than any assurance a politician can give you for your life today.
Politicians prioritise our needs and tell us that the most important things to be addressed are things like the economy, the NHS, crime, immigration, etc. The Bible teaches us that our greatest need is to be in a right relationship with God.
Maybe you think you are already right with God. The Bible says that all of us by nature are sinners and that our relationship with God has been destroyed because of sin. Romans 3: 23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
It is vitally important therefore, that our sin is dealt with and our relationship with God be restored. God promises forgiveness and reconciliation if we will only come to Him and repent. 1 John 1: 9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Politicians promise that they will improve the NHS with a view to enhancing lives. But even if they could deliver perfect hospitals and clinics, death will eventually come.
God promises a new life that will last forever. A life Jesus Christ has given to all those who listen to Him and follow Him. John 10: 27-28, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
Politicians promise to protect us by providing more police on the streets but the police cannot be everywhere, watching over you all the time.
God promises he will watch over and care for us every day and night. Psalm 121: 7-8,The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
God promises he will watch over and care for usPoliticians promise they’ll make you better off and more financially secure. God promises to make us truly rich. He promises that He will provide us with riches in heaven. 1 Peter 1: 4, an inheritance that can never spoil or fade.
Politicians promise to care for us through all of life’s struggles, even into old age.
God promises that through all of our troubles and concerns in this life He will always look after us. Matthew 11: 28, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
He promises that we’ll never be forgotten about or abandoned. Hebrews 13: 5b, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.
It must be remembered that the promises that politicians make are conditional. They only promise these things on the basis that they are voted into office. If they are not in a position to grant you these promises then you cannot and will not receive them.
God’s perfect promises are also conditional. They are only available to those who have confessed their sin and believed in His Son, Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
To all who are fully committed to God and who submit to His Kingly rule in their hearts – His promises WILL BE FULFILLELD.
How do we know these promises of God will be fulfilled? The record of most politicians is one of failure – their promises often are never fulfilled.
Millions of Christians can testify to the fact that God’s promises, on the other hand, have never failed them at any point during their lives. And so of course they can be certain about the promises yet to be fulfilled.
When the All-Powerful God of heaven and earth promises you something He will never fail to keep His promises.
Joshua 21: 45, Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
This message was published in The Word on the Street
in Summer 2010. You can see the published version here.