Promise keeper, promises come true

But, I've got to tell you a story – isn't there always a story that leads to a love song?

Welcome to a typical Sunday morning…

For me, there's always a rush on Sunday morning – consciousness of the service start time keeps me in a constant state of alert, through preparations up till the point I'm safely ensconced on a chair, in the midst my fellow participants, aka the blessed.

I distinctly remember one of such Sundays, years ago where, my mother had cajoled me into accompanying her to one of her small boyfriends' church. Extra prep pressure was on, as we were going to cross the bridge towards Ikeja, and me I don't like unnecessary fuss, which this journey seemed to have in oodles so, of course I had asked her why she felt the need to go to this particular church. In reply, she said she just felt like it.

Now that wasn't a good enough answer for me but I advised myself to leave it like that, and if you knew my mother, you would readily agree - you don't need much wisdom to know that it is better to arrive at your cajoled destination secretly wondering than with a throbbing head from an unwanted konk.

When we arrived, I noticed our co-car parkers hurrying to get into the service. This raised my expectations, I thought, “Wow, these people must be hurrying in to catch the upcoming powerful message,” needless to say, I eagerly wanted in.

Safely in my seat for service, I watched in expectation as the senior pastor came up to deliver the message and boy was I surprised, he sang throughout! No distinct, “The title of today's message is…” or “The word of the Lord for you today is…,” or “Let's open our bibles to…,” nada, just songs.

One song after another, till the announcements were made and service ended a few hours after. I was so surprised that I sat still in my chair, expecting something and when it became clear, seconds after, that I wasn't going to get that something, I turned to look to my mother for an explanation. She smiled at my confusion and urged me to move so we could exit church.

The drive home afforded me time to settle and review my first, officially strange service. The different songs flew through my mind and one stood out, I loved the words of the song so I kept singing it to myself over and over and it's stuck with me from that day since… Enter love song:

“It's for always, really always, it's for always, it's for always

My love will never die 'cos it's for always

All I own belong to you; it's paid for in full

Promises I give to you I'll never break

And I'm trying to tell you in my heart I'm standing so true

It's always just like that I'll be there for you

Please don't you ever forget that it's for always.”*

I was surprised that in spite of my mind battling to keep up with a different way of church, it could still retain words and melody of this particular song. On that drive home, I realized had been taught two things;

1) good things do not necessarily always come in the ways we expect and 2) a closer understanding of God as a promise keeper, with statements like, what we have is forever (John 3:16 & 14:2b), my love for you is unconditional (Romans 5:8 & 8:39), and I will never break my promises to you (Deuteronomy 15:6, Joshua 22:4, Hebrews 6:13&17), we catch glimpses of a Person with uncommon faithfulness and consistency.

A supreme Being who gives promises and keeps them and anyone who has tasted always testifies of His goodness and love – the Promise Keeper.

We all need promise keepers, or at least One who is reliable enough to remain true to His words, especially the words He speaks to us. Let me borrow the words of Dr. A. R. Bernard here, “And we can trust Him because of the integrity of his character.” (Psalm 138:2)

It only makes sense to strike a closer or more meaningful relationship with this One Promise Keeper, this year, in fact, today. Will you?

To you, with love

Isabel Wrights

PS

*words and melody by Chris Okotie

Isabel Wrights is a simple woman who delights in God's love covering and desires to reflect this love relationship in her everyday life. You can connect with her via