Who is Jesus?

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” (Hebrews 10:23).

I’m sure you’ve heard the cynical phrase Promises are made to be broken. I don’t like that saying because I feel like promises should be kept or you shouldn’t make them in the first place. I’m no saint, so I know I’ve broken promises to others before, maybe not even realizing it. However, I try not to because keeping my word means a lot to me. It’s about maintaining integrity.

We often make promises to one another-promises to show up for special events, promises to pay someone back, promises in marriage vows, promises not to reveal a secret, promises to uphold our responsibilities at home, work, or in whatever positions we maintain outside of those, and on and on.

Promises in general seem less meaningful these days, whether that be due to changes in social values, psychological factors, or simply from a culture in which immediate gratification is prioritized over long-term commitment.

I feel many promises are made in the moment, simply to make someone happy or to avoid conflict without any real intention of following through. A promise is often discarded when it becomes inconvenient or when a better opportunity arises.

Most of us likely have good intentions when promising something. However, later we may fail to deliver due to lack of motivation, poor planning or overestimating our capabilities, or getting overwhelmed by other demands of life. Furthermore, there’s not really any form of accountability when promises are made. No one’s going to get arrested for breaking a promise, so it’s no big deal, right?

When we are saved and take on the title of Christian, we are promising God that we are now living life for Him and striving to uphold His instructions written out to us within His Word. We are promising to turn away from a life of sin and strive to live more like Jesus and tell others about Him.

Let’s be honest, I know I don’t uphold those promises daily. No human does because we get wrapped up in worldly distractions and temptations, and we fall short. “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check,” (James 3:2). We fail at times not simply because we’re human but because we aren’t relying on Jesus, our Promise Keeper, to guide us and help us weaken those barriers.

We also make promises to ourselves. For those of you who keep up with the blog, you know in my post from July 28, 2024, that I spoke of a promise I made to myself. At the time I was 39 years old and going through the struggles of a terrible divorce and all that entails. My promise was this: before I turn 41, the negative people and things from my life will be removed, never to bring heartache and grief my way again.

Why 41? Because 41 is significant in the Bible, especially when it comes to promises fulfilled and struggles overcome.

To recap from my previous blog post: During the great flood, “…rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights,” (Genesis 7:12). Then, on day 41, the rain stopped. After Moses killed an Egyptian soldier, he fled to the desert where he stayed 40 years. In year 41, God called Moses to lead the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt. After disobeying God, the Israelites had to wander for 40 years but were able to enter the Promised Land in year 41. After 40 days of being threatened by the giant Goliath, the Israelites obtained victory when David, a shepherd boy, fought and killed him on day 41.

Even Jesus was impacted by the promise of 41. “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry,” (Luke 4:1-2). On day 41, Satan gave up because Jesus overcame all his temptations. Additionally, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appeared to His followers for forty days before ascending to Heaven on day 41.

There are more examples as well, but you get the picture. Bad things happen in life, but day/week/year 41 comes and obstacles are conquered, adversaries are extinguished, and promises are realized.

41 became my private anthem, a promise from God that I held close to my heart and even tattooed on my wrist as a daily reminder that Jesus is always here to help us through every valley we must navigate during this earthly life.

I turned 41 two days ago, and the Lord answered my prayers and helped me banish all the people and things that have been attacking my calm and confidence and happiness for the last several years. 41 is a new beginning for me and my children. 41 is my reminder that I can overcome anything with Jesus at my side. My 41 tattoo is a testament to Jesus’ promises and to all He has done for me and the work He continues to do in my life.

From the beginning of scripture, God reveals Himself as one who keeps His word. Adam and Eve were promised death if they disobeyed God’s one instruction to avoid the fruit of the forbidden tree. Even though they did not keep their promise to Him, God upheld His.

On a more positive note, God promised Abraham and Sarah a child in their advanced age. Despite the impossibility of such a feat and the doubt in their minds as years passed without fulfillment, God remained faithful in His promise to them. “For no word from God will ever fail,” (Luke 1:37).

Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the Israelites a Savior. For generations people waited through wars, exile, and silence.

Then, Jesus came.

Scripture reminds us, “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,” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus isn’t just someone who keeps promises; He is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Because of Jesus we are promised forgiveness, new life, eternal hope, and God’s presence.

One of the hardest things for me when trusting God’s promises is the waiting part. Anyone who knows me well knows that patience is not a virtue that comes easily to me. I’m often reminded by my children and other family members to be patient and wait on God’s timing and that He continues to test my patience daily because I have yet to learn it well.

The waiting can feel heavy. I waited 22 months for my divorce to resolve and allow me to move on with my life. I waited several months for a new home to be prepared. I waited for good weather, availability of family and friends, and funds to get things organized and moved. I’m still waiting on my house to sell, but I know that will happen in God’s timing as well.

During the waiting, we can take heart in the words of Hebrews 10:23. The verse doesn’t say promises always come quickly; it says, “for he who promised is faithful”. Our hope isn’t in perfect timing or perfect circumstances. Our hope is in Jesus Himself.

Jesus made many promises in the Bible, and He kept each one. In Matthew 16:21 Jesus promised He would be killed but would then rise on the third day. “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” We know this promise was fulfilled as it was recorded in the final chapters of all four Gospels.

Jesus promised to send an Advocate to guide and comfort His followers. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you,” (John 14:16,26). This was fulfilled in Acts 2 at Pentecost.

Some of the most comforting promises Jesus gives us are for the present and future:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” (John 14:2-3).

“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20).

People break promises every day, even those you love and trust the most. However, know this-Jesus never breaks His promises. He will never let you down. He will never fail you nor forsake you. He died for YOU because He loves you more than anyone else ever could.

I stand firm on what I encouraged in that post back in 2024-whatever struggles you are currently facing, know that your 41 is coming too. There is always light in the darkness, even if it’s just a flicker right now. Cling to that. Be patient, take it day by day, surrender your struggles to Jesus, the Promise Keeper, and don’t stop clinging to the joyous things present in your life.

“…The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does,” (Psalm 145:13).

Have a blessed week!

-Becky