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Promises by Desperation Band
Scripture
Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. Joshua 21:45
Observation
I read this news story last week from Tampa, Florida:
“In the early months of the Civil War, the city of Tampa needed ammunition and other supplies to defend against attack but apparently was short on cash. So it issued a promissory note for $299.58 to storekeeper Thomas Pugh Kennedy on June 21, 1861. Kennedy’s great-granddaughter says the city never made good on its loan. Now, Joan Kennedy Biddle and her family are suing to collect the payment plus 8 percent annual interest. The total bill: $22.7-million.” (Taken from the St Petersburg Times, tampabay.com, March 16, 2008, Janet Zink, reporter)
It will be interesting to see the legal outcome of this way past due debt collection. The prospect of the City of Tampa coughing up some dollars is there from earlier legal precedents.
As I read that news clipping today I thought, the Lord would remember a promise longer than that, and pay up as well with no statute of limitations. The promises of God are something like uncashed checks that he feels compelled to honor. God can no more forget a promise than we are allowed to forget an unpaid bill. Many have had the experience of finding an answer to a prayer long forgotten, because the Lord never forgets.
The promises of God will not let go of us. They cling to us and pursue us until they are fulfilled. Time is involved, as well as obedience, but the words will be accomplished.
The Book of Joshua was written to show how 400 year old promises made to Abraham were completed. God never forgets his word; he won’t forget his promises to us either.
Application
There are times we remind the Lord of the promises he has made to us, but there is another way to live in God’s promises. Instead we can rest in the presence of God and watch the word of God do its work. Though we pray we must always remember that the fulfillment of promises is not up to us, it is all from the Lord. He will not forget them, even if we do.
Prayer
Father, I have a safe deposit box in my heart full of words you have spoken to me. I sift through them wondering what will come of them. I am certain that what you have in mind is bigger and more beautiful than I could accomplish. I’m counting on you to fulfill your word. You will not forget. I trust you in that. Amen.
