Keeping Promises

Regret. That’s what I felt after my first day of volunteering. From my perspective, I had spent the whole time doing nothing, and I couldn’t imagine spending another precious Sunday doing the same pointless thing from 1 to 9 p.m. But I’d made a promise, having told the event planners that I would help out for two Sundays. Have you ever wanted to break a promise? Psalm 15 contains a verse that we’d all like to ignore at times: “[God’s worshippers] keep their promises even when it hurts” (v.4). Ouch!

Why should believers in Jesus keep their promises? Because the God we honour keeps His promises. Moses once asked rhetorically, “Has [God] ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19). The answer is a resounding No!

Those who worship in God’s sanctuary (Psalm 15:1), enjoying an intimate relationship with Him, will reflect His character too. And this includes fulfilling their vows even when it hurts. This doesn’t mean that there’s no way out of a poor promise, however. We read in Proverbs 6:1-3 this wise advice: “My child, . . . if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.”

The bottom line? Seek God’s wisdom in making wise decisions. Then, by His strength and power, fulfil what you’ve pledged.

In the end I kept my promise and returned the following Sunday. The day turned out much better than I expected. I praised the promise-keeping God for His example and for helping me to do the right thing.

—Poh Fang Chia

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”