Back in my youth, during the mid-eighties, there was a popular song by a group called Naked Eyes called "Promises Promises." The song simply talks about how two people, while growing up, made promises to each other that were not kept over the years. I have been working through the book of Ezekiel recently, and it is a rich book with much to say about God and his character--especially His justice and grace. God and only God can perfectly balance these two traits. Much of what the prophet records is God basically saying, "I warned you of what I would do if you didn't obey me, now I am going to do it." He would, in the near future, be withdrawing His presence from the Temple and causing judgement to be inflicted through the pagan nation of Babylon just like He said He would.
In the midst of all the judgement, in chapter 11, God offers this hopeful promise, "I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.'" After 70 years of exile (which God promised), God begins the process of bringing His people back to Israel.
We all make promises, most we intend to keep and do, many we intend to and cannot due to circumstances beyond our control, and if we are honest, on occasion some we really never intend to keep in an attempt to placate someone. I am so thankful that I trust in a God that keeps His promises. Because, not only does He want to, but also because He is able to. Only God has the complete authority to follow through with what He says every time.
In a time that many are crying out in despair, I am reassured by His word and His promises. His word is full of promises to us and He is a God who is able to keep His promises. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us..." (Eph. 3:20).
