Our first obligation

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep.” These words are from the poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” by Robert Frost. The poem reminds us of the responsibilities we acquire when we make a promise. Certainly, God has made many wonderful promises to us, and He intends to keep every one of them. Biblical researchers say that there are over 7,000 promises that God has made to mankind. Which promise from God is your favorite? Some of His promises include the promise of blessing if we delight in His Word (Psalm 1:1-3), the promise of His unfailing love (1 Chronicles 16:34), and the promise of Salvation to all who accept Christ as Savior (Romans 1:16-17). Most of us agree with the composer who wrote, “By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.” Knowing that God has made powerful promises, we can gladly claim Hebrews 10:23 NLT, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.” Amen! In a recent study on the promises of God, I found an amazing pledge in Deuteronomy 28:7 NASB - "The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.” Isn’t this an encouraging verse? In Deuteronomy 28, Moses is giving a discourse regarding the promised blessings that would follow those who are obedient to God. Some of the promises were of national significance, while others were made to individuals. But all were made by our God who keeps His Word. Moses was saying that if we would obey the Word of God, our enemy would be defeated, and peace would come to the homeland. In fact, the enemy would be routed and would retreat in terrified disarray. There are incredible implications in this verse for the Church of Jesus Christ. The Christian is in constant spiritual warfare. The battle between truth and lies has caused friends to part, churches to split, and families to splinter. Our enemy, the Devil, is constantly on the prowl to confuse Believers and to destroy the Church (1 Peter 5:8). But God is greater and will bring victory to His own. Deuteronomy 28:7 points out that the enemy attacks with hellish precision and power. To the natural mind, defeat seems inevitable. But God has other plans! If His people remain obedient to Him, He will send a victory that will amaze each one. Verse 7 ends with this astounding observation: “and will flee before you seven ways!” Hallelujah! Their cunning attack fails with jumbled confusion. Whatever you are going through right now, remain obedient to God’s Word, firmly stand on His promises, and trust God to see you through. He keeps His promises! Will you?