Most people want to know about the warranty when they buy something of significant value. Will it last? What will the company’s response be if something goes wrong, if it needs adjusting or if some type of repair is required? I remember years ago when the government changed the conditions of a lifetime warranty to be rephrased as a limited lifetime warranty. It didn’t sound quite the same as it had previously. However, if the company that makes a product goes out of business, the warranty usually is gone as well.
It reminds me of something my dad told me years ago. “A promise is only as good as the one making it.” Warranties are only good as long as companies honor them or stay in business to honor them. In like manner, a person’s word is only as good as the integrity of the person. It’s easy to make promises but something else to fulfill them. Many times, excuses follow promises, or the person who made the promise conveniently disappears.
Aren’t you glad our God is faithful in His promises? What promises He makes to us! Peter reminds us how wonderful they are. “By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires” (2 Peter 1:4). Just thinking of what He promised us should cheer any heart. He has promised to be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He has promised us eternal life (1 John 2:25). He has promised His help and strength through the course of our lives (2 Thessalonians 3:3). He promises never to allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist (1 Corinthians 10:13). He promises Heaven will far exceed any suffering we endure here and now (Romans 8:18). How many more could we mention? In all of them, God will be true to do what He has said.
What confidence this should give us in living the Christian life! Since we know God will do all He has said, we should be highly motivated to do our best for Him. With every expression of love His promises show us, our love should be returned in offering ourselves to Him (1 John 4:19). We should not let Satan rob us of our joy, substituting fear and doubt in place of God’s promises. We can take heart because Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33), and we share His victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).
We may not know whether earthly promises will stand, but we never should ever doubt the promises of God. Rejoice in His love, His help, His hope and His salvation. None of these will ever fail. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love is eternal” (Psalm 136:1).
