A Promise-Keeping God

Day 13 – A Promise-Keeping God

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
– Proverbs 19:21 

If ever there was a verse for the year we just went through it is Proverbs 19:21. I am certain that everyone reading this has adjusted, readjusted, and cancelled plans in 2020. My plan to escape the cold and snow of March in New Hampshire for the heat of the desert was dashed, my plan to attend a dear friend’s wedding was cancelled, and my plan to have someone who actually understands algebra teach my kids was altered. My list of cancellations and alterations is lengthy and I am assuming yours is as well. 2020 was painful, disruptive, and challenging but it was also instructive. 

The above verse from Proverbs, as well as the experience of living through the year 2020, are not teaching us that planning is a bad thing. Planning is wise; it is the trusting in our plans that is foolish. Our plans can easily be derailed by events both small and big but God’s plans, purposes, and promises are never thwarted. Job learned this lesson and he says of God, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2). Similarly to Job, the 19th century British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said, “All the purposes of man have been defeated, but not the purposes of God. He is a promise-keeping God, and every one of his people shall prove it to be so.” No purpose of God can be stopped; that is immensely wonderful news.

The Bible is the story of a sovereign, loving, and promise-keeping God. God is reigning even when everything is a chaotic mess. God is loving even when life is painful and cruel. And God will keep His promises even when it seems impossible. God’s promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son could not be stopped by old age. God’s promise to deliver His people from slavery could not be stopped by a stubborn Pharaoh or his army. God’s promise to send a messiah could not be stopped by murderous King Herod. These are a few of the many wonderful and seemingly impossible promises God has made.

For those who are in Christ, who are united to Him by faith, God’s promises are ours. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20). All God’s promises are yes in Christ, from the temporal promises of meeting our daily needs, to the eternal promises of glory in heaven, and every promise in between.

God has kept all His promises, those promises are ours, and His plans will never be thwarted. 

Father God, You have proven Yourself faithful throughout all of history. You have honored Your promises and kept Your covenants even when we have broken ours. Console us when our plans go awry and fill us with joy by knowing that Your plans will never be stopped. Let the great news of God’s love for sinful broken people spread and that lives and eternal destinies would be changed forever. We anxiously await that final promise when Jesus will return and He will make all things new. Amen.

Noah S. Crane
Interim Ministry Director, Christian Union Vox (Dartmouth University)