For the final installment in our REHAB series, we are going to reflect on the promises of God.

Throughout human history there have always been two constants: a God that keeps all of His promises and a human race that chooses to break theirs. “God, if you will just do this for me…” or “God, If you get me through this, I will never…” Promises we break all the time.

What a joy it is to know that the amazing God we worship is faithful and good, all the time. What a joy it is to come to truly realize that our struggles, our trials, our tears, our tragedies are not the last word in our lives.

There is a promise of a new life. An eternal life with God where we get to experience God’s very presence every moment. That’s a promise worth holding on to, don’t you think?

This world upsets us, disappoints us, abandons us and belittles us. God does not. God promises that nothing we can do will separate us from his love. God promises he will never leave us or abandon us. God promises to love us, even when we are at our most unloveable.

This week, reflect on how Jesus is entering Jerusalem for Palm Sunday. He is faithful, even knowing what is to come. We know he is scared, he will show us his vulnerability in the garden of Gethsemane. But he’s going to show us something else, that nothing is going to keep him from fulfilling his Father’s promise to humanity.

This week, ask “how am I fulfilling my promises to God as I live as a follower of Jesus?” And if you aren’t a Jesus follower, I hope you can still admire and respect Jesus’ focus, courage and willingness to keep his word … even unto death on a cross.

From where do you find your focus to be faithful to your life’s endeavors? How do you conjure up the courage to be strong in the face of adversity? What does it take for you to be willing to keep your word, no matter what? There is an old hymn that goes, “standing on the promises of Christ my King…” On whose promises do you stand? If it isn’t Jesus’, then those very promises are about to crumble beneath you … I promise.

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@gmail.com.