Are promises important to you? I sometimes wonder if people who make promises really intend to keep them what with things like increased divorces, and corruption in the business world. Promises are indeed important - personally and corporately and most important, are the promises made by Almighty God. Did you know that Scripture contains 7,487 promises? One such promise is this: God has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

God spoke to our ancestors in so many ways and it should give us the hope we need to navigate through our daily struggles. For example, God told Noah he was going to wipe out the corrupt people of the earth, that Noah just had to build a boat to save his family. And when the flood was over, God sent a rainbow and promised that he would never again destroy the world by a flood. God’s promises are the grace we need to live our lives from one day to the next.

We live in a less than perfect world, and sometimes it’s difficult to remember that God is in control. But if we depend on those promises, our lives will be filled with peace, in spite of any troubles we may have. We are loved, we are cared for, and we have been showered with grace to lead us to our final reward. And on that promise … you can depend!

About the author: Previously the priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Lake Placid for 21 years, Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is now the Priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.