Keeping All Promises, No Matter the Cost

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 15. Here is what I learned.

The one who despises those rejected by God but honors those who fear the Lord. The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it. Psalm 15:4 (GW)

The one who loathes the loathsome, honors those who fear the Eternal, And keeps all promises no matter the cost. Psalm 15:4 (VOICE)

Keeps all promises no matter the cost. Often we hear of litigation because someone didn’t fulfill a contract, and the reason was it would cost more to complete a project than originally thought. Costs increase and contractors, etc, want more money to complete a job. When we make promises, we must never do so lightly, for we are to keep the promises we make, no matter what it will cost us... the includes, time, talent, money, etc. Am I true to my word? Do I do as I promise? When I say I’ll do something, do I do it? 

There are phrases we say often without thinking. For example, “I’ll pray for you.” Often, the is a automatic response when we hear of someone in trouble or sick. But do we actually, PRAY? 

The next area we sometimes make promises is in the area of accountability. If we say we will hold someone accountable to either do something, or not do something, do we follow through? Or are we too shy and timid to check in to see if the person is doing ok? Perhaps we don’t want to “check in” because we are ashamed of our actions. But Psalm 15:4, says “keeps all promises, no matter the cost.” 

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not - Who has made a promise, or entered into a contract, that is likely to turn out contrary to his expectations, to his own disadvantage; but who still adheres to his engagement. If the thing itself is wrong; if he has made a promise, or pledged himself to do a wicked thing, he cannot be under obligation to execute it; he should at once abandon it (compare the notes at Matthew 14:9); but he is not at liberty to violate an agreement simply because it will be a loss to him, or because he ascertains that it will not be, as he supposed, to his advantage. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Can people believe what I say? Honesty. Integrity. True to my word. I’m very thankful that God is a promise keeper! He fulfills all His promises. That is an awesome comfort! 

To create a positive day, I need to be a person of honesty and integrity, keeping all promises, no matter the cost. 

Promise-keeping God!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 111. Here is what I learned.

He has sent salvation to his people. He has ordered that his promise should continue forever. His name is holy and terrifying. Psalm 111:9 (GW)

He ·sets his people free [sent redemption to his people]. He ·made his agreement everlasting [commanded his covenant/treaty forever]. ·He [His name] is holy and ·wonderful [awesome]. Psalm 111:9 (EXB)

He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has! Psalm 111:9 (NLT)

"He hath commanded his covenant for ever." His divine decree has made the covenant of his grace a settled and eternal institution: redemption by blood proves that the covenant cannot be altered, for it ratifies and establishes it beyond all recall. This, too, is reason for the loudest praise. Redemption is a fit theme for the heartiest music, and when it is seen to be connected with gracious engagements from which the Lord's truth cannot swerve, it becomes a subject fitted to arouse the soul to an ecstasy of gratitude. The Treasury of David

Ever have someone promise you something, only to learn that they did not have the ability to fulfill that promise? It’s not only disappointing, but it causes distrust. 

However, God is able to not only promise an everlasting covenant with us, He is able to fulfill that promise. Because God, Himself, is eternal, everlasting, only He can promise an everlasting covenant. God also has a “proven record” on keeping His promises! He is trustworthy! 

So, when God promises me eternal life with Him, I know that He can and will keep that promise. And all He requires of me is to believe in Him. 

God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16 (GW)

No guessing. No wondering. A solid promise from an eternal everlasting, promise-keeping God! 

To create a positive day, I only have to take God at His Word, for He is the promise-keeping God!

Consider it Accomplished

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 138. Here is what I learned.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalm 138:2 (ASV)

"For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name," the words may be thus read, and will better agree with the Hebrew; "thou hast magnified thy name above all things, in thy word," that is, in fulfilling thy word thou hast magnified thy name above all things, in that thou hast fulfilled thy word. What thou freely promisedst, thou hast faithfully performed; what thou hast spoken with thy mouth thou hast fulfilled with thy hand; for which thy name is wonderfully to be magnified. James Nalton, 1664.

What God says, He will do. No doubt. No ‘wiggle room’. Simply... if God said it, consider it accomplished.  God is to be trusted! That is a very comforting fact.

Consider it accomplished. 

All that God has said, I know that it is trustworthy because he is not only able to perform well, having a proven capacity to fulfil what He promises, but because of who God is... holy, just, faithful... He cannot go against His Word. He is faithful to do what He says. 

Consider it accomplished. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. It’s done. 

To create a positive day, I only have to remember and act upon the fact that whatever God has said... consider it accomplished—period!

Praise-filled Day!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 117. Here is what I learned. 

Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm, but is filled with truth!

Psalm 117:1 is similar to Psalm 111:1. It begins with Praise to God.

(Read more about Psalm 111:1 here: All In!) 

Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! Psalm 117:1 (WE)

Psalm 117:2 begins to give reasons why God is to be praised. And these are not abstract reasons, rather they are ABSOLUTE reasons! 

For he loves us with unfailing love;

the LORD's faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 117:2 (NLT)

For his lovingkindness is great toward us;

And the truth of Jehovah endureth for ever.

Praise ye Jehovah.

Psalm 117:2 (ASV)

The word “great” means so much! It’s means “strong, powerful, but with blessing”. 

“Lovingkindness” means "kindness with favor and fidelity".  Think for a moment what fidelity means! 

fidelity 

        1. strict observance of promises, duties, etc.

        2. loyalty. 

        3. faithfulness.

        4. adherence to fact or detail.

        5. accuracy; exactness.

God’s great, strong and powerful 

filled-with-blessing love and kindness

is based on WHO God is!

He is loyal. He is faithful. He is VERY detailed. He is very accurate! God can be NOTHING else, because that is WHO He is—He cannot change! 

And the most amazing aspect of this strong, powerful blessing of love—it’s FOREVER!

This is an UNENDING supply of love

from a faithful, promise-keeping,

detailed, accurate, and eternal God.

That should make each of us SHOUT Hallelujah, Praise Yahwah.

Knowing that the faithful, promise-keeping, detailed, accurate, eternal God loves me creates not only a positive day, but a praise-filled day!