FROM THE PULPIT: TRUST IN THE `PROMISE KEEPER'

I have been watching the Promise Keepers with great interest. Their gathering in Washington D.C. last weekend generated a lot of publicity. One thing that struck me was the amount of negative reaction to this very positive event. The Promise Keepers met with the express purposes of 1) praying for our nation, and for each other, 2) taking responsibility for their (men's) own part in the downward moral slide of our nation, and 3) pledging to do something about it, by making and keeping promises in their own lives to strengthen families, morals, and relationships. For once, a group gathered in our nation's capital to take meaningful personal action, without a government grant (!) in a positive direction, and they were being criticized!

That is not unlike what Jesus faced. Time after time, detractors accused Jesus of being a Sabbath-breaker, a blasphemer, a consort of bad characters, a demon, and the like. And what were his crimes? Healing the sick, exorcising demons, teaching, forgiving repentant sinners such as prostitutes and taxgatherers (who cheated people) and announcing himself as ushering in the Kingdom of God and being sent by God to save the lost.

Jesus did all these things, and more. He not only healed their bodies, he changed their hearts. He made people good. By doing all the things he did, Jesus showed God to be the Ultimate Promise Keeper. "Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts,"Be strong, do not fear; your God will come; He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, He will come to save you." (Isaiah 35:3-4) The name "Jesus" means "God saves," God retribution fell upon Jesus on the cross, Jesus did come and save us. "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was wounded for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) These verses, along with many others, promise the coming of the Messiah to save His people from their sins. This He accomplished. God promised eternal life to all who would trust Him, and by Jesus resurrection showed the truth of His power to resurrect us as well. We can have eternal life because God made and kept His promises.

Promise Keepers is a good organization with worthy goals. But did you know you don't necessarily have to join PK to be a promise keeper? When you place your trust in Christ and are born again, God gives you a new heart. (Ezekiel 36:26) He wants to make you like Himself. (Romans 8:29) And He has kept all his promises! Through our new heart, and the Holy Spirit living within us, God gives every believer, men, women, and children, young and old, the ability to make good promises and to keep them. You have the power to be a person of integrity, whose word can be trusted.(Matthew 5:33-37) You have the ability to be faithful to your spouse, and loving to your children. you have the power to love your neighbor as you love yourself -- no matter what race or gender -- if Christ lives in you. You can do all things, through Christ, who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)

So let us give our hearts to God. Let us trust in Jesus Christ, the Great Promise Keeper. Then, in Him, we will be able, with all God's people to be "promise keepers" who bring God's love into the whole world.