Ever made a promise you didn’t keep? Yeah, me too. It makes me wince to think of my broken promises over the years. The shame comes from the realization that I had given my word to do something for someone and then backpedaled upon further review of what my vow would require of me. Ouch.
We’re all guilty of being “promises, promises” kind of people. But God is the One we can count on to come through. When He makes a promise, He keeps it. Just ask Solomon. He praised God for His faithful keeping of His promises to see the temple built in Jerusalem and for David, Solomon’s father, to sit on the throne (2 Chronicles 6:6). Both of those things became a reality—David sat on the throne in Jerusalem, followed by Solomon, and the temple was built “just as the Lord promised” (2 Chronicles 6:10).
Solomon exhibited the appropriate response to God for fulfilling His promises—he praised Him. The king declared to all his people, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise He made” (2 Chronicles 6:4). God is worthy of our praise, for He has done great things. As we read in His Word of His awesome works and all the promises He has kept, our hearts and minds should be filled with wonder and praise!
To whom did Solomon declare God’s praises? To the entire community of Israel (2 Chronicles 6:3). When we praise God to others, revealing what He has done, they can also experience the reality of our great Promise Keeper.
Today, consider the promises God has fulfilled in the past and the promises that He will fulfill in the future. Choose to live out these words: “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises” (Psalm 34:1).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 43:1-34
More:
Read Numbers 23:19 and consider how faithful God is in keeping His promises (unlike you and me).
Next:
What promises of God will you praise Him for today? How will you praise God before others?
ino2go2u on January 27, 2012 at 9:32 am
Praise God to Whom all blessings flow! We have recently had a very trying experience. We told God Thy will be done. Once again He brought us through. He alone meets our needs, for our good and His glory be all things.
tom felten on January 27, 2012 at 9:52 am
ino2go2u, thanks for sharing your experience with God and His provision. May we continue to live out what Paul wrote: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
cali4ange on January 27, 2012 at 11:43 am
God is so amazing and awesome. Words can not express how thankful I am of His patience and caring ways. I have come to realize that when we give it all to God, He will provide. It’s just a matter of faith, and letting go, because that is what God wants us to do; trust in Him and have faith that He will watch over us. How can God have it if you’re still holding onto it, whether it’s worry, fear, a problem, He can handle it. Jesus tells us to come onto Him all those who are weak and heavy laden, and He will give us rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28) Another verse saying, cast all our cares upon Him by humbling ourselves, and in due time, He will provide (1 Peter 5:7) In this busy, fast pace world, we need to remind ourselves that God’s promises to us are true and it’s in God’s own time, not ours
tom felten on January 27, 2012 at 2:58 pm
I like what you lifted up, cali4ange—coming to God in weakness, brokenness, and humility. In that posture in His presence, we can deeply experience Him and His promises.
winn collier on January 27, 2012 at 7:41 pm
the promise of all things new is the word I’m hanging all my hope on.
romakc98 on January 27, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Praise God for He is Faithful and True! We started our family bible study four years ago but twice it stopped. But I cried out to God to have mercy on my family and prayed unceasingly that He may also allow them to be saved! Lo and behold, my mom, my four sisters and a brother are now in Christ and having our weekly family bible study for a year now. The Lord is faithful and true in all His promises. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)
mike wittmer on January 28, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I’m glad that God takes his Word more seriously than I take mine. Thanks for this convicting and hopeful word.
daisymarygoldr on January 31, 2012 at 10:37 pm
All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1:20) It is for this very purpose the Church exists— to proclaim the praises of God to the world around us (1 Peter 2:9).
We praise Him not for earthly blessings of good health or wealth. But according to His promise, through faith in Jesus Christ, He has given us new birth—to a living hope and a priceless inheritance of eternal life (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thanks Tom, for this important teaching to praise God for His precious promises.