At the 1988 Republican National Convention, George H. W. Bush spoke the now-famous phrase, “Read my lips: no new taxes.” Yet, by 1990, taxes were on the rise once again.
What happened to keeping one’s promises?
In Matthew 14:3-12, we read of Herod’s promise to his lover’s daughter: The head of John the Baptist.
What was to be done? A promise had been made. Friends and political associates had heard Herod’s words. Besides, the young girl had danced for Herod and pleased him immensely.
Are there any promises too important to break?
How about a pinky promise, made heart to soul? A soldier’s oath to defend one’s military brother, come life or death? A marriage vow, through sickness and health? A vow to God, even if there are no witnesses?
Herod felt he had to save face. He had to be true to his word, even as he regretted what he ordered done. Yet, in spite of his misgivings, he delivered the head of John the Baptist to the girl on a platter.
It was a silly promise to keep. Yet, what silly promises do we keep, and what important ones do we throw away? We honor the promise to never sell the family home, yet watch as our marriage dissolves around us. We faithfully pay our bills, yet let the work of God go unfunded. We vow to keep that childhood pinky promise, and yet we tell old friends we’ll keep in touch with no intention of following through.
What promise does God want from us that we should never break?
He wants our hearts and our devotion. Yes, keeping the family home is important, as is paying bills and funding the work of the Lord. So is keeping in touch with old friends. But if we do none of that, what does God still want from us? What promise do we dare not break?
This is taken from a child’s cross stitch pattern: One Little Heart to Love Him Still.
That’s all God wants from us, and it is a promise we do well to keep.
God loves us, and he wants us to love him in return.
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Code: FGO.K.10.11.vp