“Can we have some pretzels?” six-year-old Kaleb asked enthusiastically on behalf of himself and his brother, eight-year-old, Kedar.
“No, you guys just had lunch honey,” I replied matter-of-factly.
“Oh, OK,” Kaleb responded and then slipped right back into the animated voice he was using to simulate his toys’ pretend conversation.
No sulking, whining, crying, or begging followed his denied request. He accepted my answer, though it was the opposite of what he wanted to hear, and resumed his little life.
I found out early on in my parenting journey that children do much better when mom and dad are consistent. By that I mean, once they get a clue that no means no, they skip most of the antics typically applied by children attempting to manipulate their parents into compliance.
Though I don’t have a perfect track record—sometimes their bright eyes melt my heart like a wilting flower over-exposed to the heat of the sun’s rays—I tend to say what I mean and mean what I say. It’s a great biblical principle based on Matthew 5:37NIV which says, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
I acquiesce just as calmly and non-emotionally as I deny, and stand my ground either way. Keeping promises and remaining true to my word helps the Hobbs children understand how to relate to me. It also keeps tension, tantrums, and trouble to a minimum.
As God's children, we also need to understand something about Him.
The Lord always keeps His word.
Does that mean His answer is to our liking each time? Well, no, it doesn't mean that at all.
Though He doesn’t always give us what we want when we want it, we can yet count on the fact that, whenever God says yes, we can take it to the bank.
I love how Numbers 23:19 says it: “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
The answer to those two questions featured in that passage of scripture is no, God does not make empty promises. Whatever He promises, He fulfills.
That’s what I want you to get from today’s post. God is a God who keeps His word. No matter how long it takes to see the manifestation of His word and His work in your life, trust me, it’s coming.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring 2 Corinthians 1:20 into your cup of inspiration. It says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you will rejoice in the fact that God’s word never fails. It never goes unfulfilled.
Never.
Through Isaiah 55:11 God says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
If God said it, it’s done.
Now let’s pray.
God, I thank You for this reassuring word today! In times when the enemy tries to cause me to doubt Your word, please put me in remembrance of the infallibility of Your word and the fact that whatever You have spoken will come to pass. Even if I don’t see what You say, I believe it simply because You said it. And You, oh God, cannot lie. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
