Be a Promise Keeper
by Annie Yorty ©2022
I learned long ago that my girl never forgets. Her memory captures movie lines, past events, and even her dreams for the future. Most of all, she seems to always remember my promises. Her memory, and the accountability it inevitably throws on me, teaches me to be a promise keeper.
Alyssa makes me careful to say only what I mean to do. If I fail to keep a promise, I’m going to hear about it from her.
Promise Keeper Failures
Sometimes the disappointment from idle words doesn’t cut too deeply. We simply grow accustomed to empty promises and lower our expectations of the ones who speak them.
But maybe you, like me, have tasted the bitterness of more serious unkept promises. A spouse or friend failed to stay loyal. Your child swore she’d stop using drugs but keeps relapsing. Your boss offered, and then rescinded, a promotion. Perhaps a parent hasn’t lived up to basic responsibilities.
Broken promises like these devastate our hearts and train us to be wary and self-protective.
I’m reminded of word pictures Apostle Peter used to describe people who teach a false version of God. Essentially, they make promises for God that are not true, leading people to disillusionment and despair.
These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. (2 Peter 2:17 NLT)
Imagine trekking through the desert, sweat pouring off your body and tongue cleaving to the roof of your mouth. You spy a tuft of palms in the distance ahead. Your plodding steps quicken as the hope of cool water courses through your veins. But when you arrive at the foliage, you find out that the spring dried up. Oh, what bitter disappointment!
Why should we keep promises?
Our words should never be as empty as springs whose water has evaporated. Delivering what we promise refreshes and revives those on the receiving end.
May God help us keep both profound and seemingly insignificant promises—everything from marriage vows to the reward of an ice cream cone for a toddler.
A Privilege for Followers of God
We can also confidently retell God’s promises to others, being careful not to add our own spin or subtract any parts we think might be unpalatable to our audience. Let God’s Word do all the talking.
After sharing God’s Word, stick close to God’s presence so your life accurately fulfills the promise of Scripture.
Help for Promise Keepers
Promise-keeping is central to who God is.
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19 NLT)
God’s promises never dry up. They never disappoint.
God’s promises never dry up. They never disappoint. Click To TweetI admit being a promise keeper is a lofty goal. We’ll falter from time to time. After all, we are human, with the human failings. For reasons that I cannot fathom, though, God chooses to allow us to communicate His Word—His promises—to our families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers.
That’s why God makes a promise to specifically address our weaknesses as promise keepers.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT)
God Himself steps into the gap of our human unfaithfulness because He is the perfect promise keeper.
God Himself steps into the gap of our human unfaithfulness because He is the perfect promise keeper. Click To TweetKeeping My Promise
As I conclude, I’m headed off to play a game of Nertz with Alyssa. I promised I’d whup her at her favorite card game, so she’s waiting expectantly.
Isn’t it good to know that God delivers on every word He says? We can count on His help to be faithful promise keepers too.
Join the conversation:
How have you seen God help you to become more of a promise-keeper?
I welcome your comments!
Waiting on God
12 Comments
J.D. Wininger
Great question to ask Ms. Annie. Why do I try and keep my promises? If I’m honest, my answers have changed through the years. Having grown up in an environment where lying and cheating appeared to be the normal, keeping my word was something I was not worried about as a young person. After my adoption, I began to understand what words like honesty and integrity meant. I did so because my adopted family lived them out in their daily lives. For that, I am eternally grateful. As I matured, I realized that I had very little in life that was static, durable, ependable, and permanent. That singular thing was my word. I can’t say that I’ve been perfect in keeping my word, and thus, my reputation as an honest person of integrity and honor, but I’ve sure tried. We can’t keep every promise we make, because this world around us is beyond our control. We can, however, control ourselves. I’ve learned to replace “I promise” with “I’ll do my best”. The key there is that “my best” is up to me. As I’ve gotten even older, I find that keeping promises, doing my best, and being a man of my word is less about how I’m perceived by others but in who others see in me. Great post ma’am.
Annie Yorty
J.D., I’m going to chew on all that for a while. “That singular thing was my word.” As people of The Word, we can keep our word by God’s help. I also love what you said about our motivation to keep promises. Thanks for visiting and adding so much to the conversation.
Nancy E. Head
I remember a scene I watched recently from Gone with the Wind. Scarlet O’Hara wants to leave Atlanta, but she promised Ashley she would take care of Melanie–her rival for his love.
“If only I hadn’t made that promise,” she says. I had watched the movie when I was a child and the scene hadn’t impressed me, but it did when I watched it recently.
Our society has lost appreciation for promises. Margaret Mitchell (author of GwtW) and the movie makers understood it.
Thanks, Annie. God bless!
Annie Yorty
I haven’t seen that movie in many years, Nancy. Unfortunately, you’re right about our current culture’s disdain for keeping promises. God’s faithfulness offers a stark and welcome contrast for those who are tired of being let down. Thanks for visiting!
Katherine Pasour
What a blessing that your girl recognizes the importance of a promise and holds you accountable. I’m sure that carries over into your interactions with others, too. I tried to teach my children the importance of being careful of their words–“say only what you mean and follow through on what you say.” Having lived with someone who had good intentions and made lots of promises, but often didn’t follow through, I know the pain of broken promises and broken trust. Thank you for this reminder that God never breaks his promises and we should always strive to keep our commitments as much as possible.
Annie Yorty
Thanks you, Katherine, for joining the conversation. I suppose we all have been on the disappointment end of promises. It is indeed painful and shapes our ability to trust in general. I sometimes mistakenly apply that disappointment with man to God, but He has never let me down.
Connie Wohlford
“God Himself steps into the gap of our human unfaithfulness because He is the perfect promise keeper.” Well said!
Your post gives us a great lesson. Thank you.
Annie Yorty
Thank you, Connie, for visiting and sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
Yvonne Morgan
Great message and reminder Annie. As I watch our world these days, it seems like no one cares about truth anymore and lies have become the norm. And with that comes so much chaos. I try to be truthful in all circumstances. I want to honor God with my words as well as my life.
Annie Yorty
Thanks, Yvonne, for visiting and commenting. By God’s grace, we can honor Him by keeping our word.
Jen
I am so thankful God keeps His promises. When the world feels chaotic we can always hold on to His truths and promises.
Annie Yorty
That’s right, Jen. We have security no matter what. Blessings!