A Promise Deferred

Psalm 119:49-64

49Remember your promise to me,

for it is my only hope.

50Your promise revives me;

it comforts me in all my troubles.

51The proud hold me in utter contempt,

but I do not turn away from your law.

52I meditate on your age-old laws;

O LORD, they comfort me.

53I am furious with the wicked,

those who reject your law.

54Your principles have been the music of my life

throughout the years of my pilgrimage.

55I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD,

and I obey your law because of this.

56This is my happy way of life:

obeying your commandments.

57LORD, you are mine!

I promise to obey your words!

58With all my heart I want your blessings.

Be merciful just as you promised.

59I pondered the direction of my life,

and I turned to follow your statutes.

60I will hurry, without lingering,

to obey your commands.

61Evil people try to drag me into sin,

but I am firmly anchored to your law.

62At midnight I rise to thank you

for your just laws.

63Anyone who fears you is my friend—

anyone who obeys your commandments.

64O LORD, the earth is full of your unfailing love;

teach me your principles.

Promises, promises. Life is full of them. Boy Scouts and politicians, wedding ceremonies and labor agreements, international negotiations and United Way pledges.

Yesterday’s section (verses 44-46) was filled with “I will’s,” all promises on our part. Today’s section begins with God’s promises and how they comfort and revive us and give us hope. The Bible is built on promises. The Jewish nation was established on God’s promises to Abraham and underwritten by God’s promises to Moses. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a Messiah to redeem his people, and throughout the New Testament, we receive God’s promises of his presence and his guidance through the Holy Spirit.

When the Canadian Pacific Railroad was ready to lay tracks from Medicine Hat to Calgary in southern Alberta, it had to negotiate with Crowfoot, the chief of the Blackfoot confederacy that controlled the land. Crowfoot granted permission, in return for a lifetime railroad pass on the Canadian Pacific. He put it in a leather case and carried it around his neck until he died—but he never used it. He never availed himself of the railroad’s promise.

Sometimes we’re like that regarding God’s promises. We admire them and put them up on our walls, but we don’t make use of them. Instead, let us determine to trust all that God has told us and enjoy his promised blessings.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

R. KELSO CARTER

Fascinating Fact

God is referred to, either explicitly or implied, in every verse of Psalm 119; the psalmist refers to himself more than three hundred times in this psalm. Obviously, this is a very personal psalm.

Notable Quotable

“When we hear any promise in the Word of God, let us turn it into a prayer. God’s promises are his bond. He loves it when we wrestle with him by his promises.”

RICHARD SIBBES