NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

MAKING PROMISES (1 SAMUEL 20:12-17)

REFLECTION

Making promises is the theme for reflection. Making a promise means telling someone that you will definitely do something in the future. We shall reflect on the fact making promises and keeping them builds and sustains trust in relationships.

Beloved in the Lord, Jonathan and David’s friendship was tried and tested when Jonathan made a vow or promise to David to save him from being killed by King Saul, Jonathan’s father. “Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the LORD, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favourably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? 13 But if my father intends to harm you, may the LORD deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace… 1 Samuel 20:12-13. In return, Jonathan made David promise by making an oath to protect him in the days of peril. “But show me unfailing kindness like the LORD’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, 15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family —not even when the LORD has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD call David’s enemies to account. ” 17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him because he loved him as he loved himself.” (1 Samuel 20:14-17). Dear friend, one way to build trust and sustain our relationship beyond our current existence even to the next generation is to learn to keep promises that we have made to other partners within the relationship. Our faithfulness or trustworthiness is demonstrated in the making and keeping of promises. When we read from 1 Samuel 20:18-42 we would realise that Jonathan kept his promise to David. Again in 2 Samuel 9, David also kept his promise to Jonathan by saving his lame son, Mephibosheth, and bringing him to his palace to be taken care of.  

As people of faith, we must learn to keep our promise, especially when it has to do with saving the lives of our friends or helping them in times of trouble. Failing to keep our promises to our friends, especially in times of trouble may cause us to live with the burden of guilt and regrets. This was exactly Peter and the other disciples’ experience. Peter said to Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.” (Matthew 26:33-35)  When the time came for them to fulfil their promise to Jesus, they failed to keep their promise. Peter denied Jesus three times and “Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:74-75) Again, When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. “(Matthew 27:3-5). Beloved in the Lord making promises and without fulfilling them in our friendship, marriage and family relationships has serious consequences, especially, when it has to do with the health and safety of others in the relationship. We are being called upon to be faithful and learn to keep our promises in our relationships to maintain long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships.

In summary, we have discovered that making promises and keeping them builds and sustains trust, long lasting and healthy in relationships. Let not become promise breakers but people of integrity who a bound by our words.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to maintain trust and healthy relationships by making meaningful promises that we can keep. Amen.