Standing On The Promises

Standing on the Promises

It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

It should come as no surprise, really. We stake everything most precious in our lives on promises that have been made. And promises we expect to be kept—by our parents, our spouses, our friends. So when it comes to hoping for God’s commitment to us, it is the same as any other relationship. We know that pinning our hopes on promises always comes down in the end to one thing: trust in the person who makes them. The more we trust the promise-maker, the more hope we have in the promise being kept. That’s why, for people of faith, knowing God is paramount (see Hebrews 11:6). Of course, knowing God does not eliminate our doubts of God’s closeness. Even Jesus, in his desperation, echoed the cry of the psalmist David: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1, ESV).

The movie A Beautiful Mind tells the story of John Nash, played by Russell Crowe, who is a brilliant mathematician struggling with mental instability. His marriage is a testimony to true commitment through years of illness and trial. On the evening he proposes, the following conversation ensues.

Nash says, “Alicia, does our relationship warrant long-term commitment? I need some kind of proof, some kind of verifiable empirical data.”

Alicia, amused by his awkwardness, says, “I’m sorry, just give me a moment to redefine my girlish notions of romance. A proof. Verifiable data. All right, how big is the universe?”

“Infinite.”

“How do you know?”

“I know because all the data indicates it’s infinite.”

“But it hasn’t been proven yet. You haven’t seen it.”

“No.”

“Then how do you know for sure?”

“I don’t. I just believe.”

“It’s the same with love, I guess.”

It’s the same for faith, too. You just believe. And as you believe, you come to know God. And the more you know God, the more you trust his promises—and a meaningful hope emerges. This becomes the foundation for our own ability to remain faithful and trustworthy as we live out our promises to our spouses.^a

Unless . . . commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes, but no plan.

—Peter F. Drucker

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