Keeping promises
by Peter Bean
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May the Lord help you keep your promise … (1 Samuel 1:23b).
Read 1 Samuel 1:21–2:11
Promises! Promises! Who really wants to make a promise? So many obstacles can appear when trying to keep it: ‘It’s not the right time’, ‘You misunderstood what I meant’ (notice the shifting of guilt in this statement), ‘Circumstances have changed’, ‘I wasn’t myself when I made that promise.’
Hannah could certainly have used the latter excuse. As we read yesterday, she was very discouraged and poured her heart out to the Lord. She was so distressed that Eli thought she was drunk. One can imagine her thinking, if not saying: ‘God, you will understand. You knew my distress; I was beside myself. Now I have a son, and I must give him up? Surely, God, you are more merciful than that!’
All understandable. All reasonable. Perhaps we have said or thought similar things ourselves. Yet, despite these (possible) thoughts, Hannah kept her promise. She realised that everything – life, possessions, children – is a gift from the Lord. And so, with the Lord’s help, she could release her son to be a servant of the Lord. And, in doing so, she sang a praise hymn to God (1 Samuel 2:1–11). Her truth-telling became a praise hymn!
The best promises are not those we make, but the ones that God has made, kept and continues to fulfil. What is your favourite promise from God? Perhaps you can list two, three or more. Obviously, promises about new life and shalom are wonderful. I like the verses in Isaiah about wolves and lambs living together, wastelands blossoming, eyes being opened and ears being unplugged (see Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 35).
All these have their fulfilment in Christ. ‘The one sitting on the throne said: “Look, I am making all things new!”’ (Revelation 21:5). If you make a promise, ask the Lord to help you keep it. And remember the promises God has made – and kept – through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Loving Creator, thank you for all the gifts you bless us with. At all times, help us to remember your promise of new life, won for us by Christ. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. Peter prays that as you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the psalms, he invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 91), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
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