Grounded in Faithfulness

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past week we finally brought the 2008 election process to a close. Over the past 20 months we have heard candidates making pledges and promises on a wide variety of issues ranging from the economy to the Iraq war. Unfortunately, every campaign season brings promises that for the most part will never be realized.

The weakness of a campaign promise is the ability of the candidate to bring it to fruition. A politician is always dependent upon the consensus of others. Even if consensus is given, it is often given with compromise and strings attached.

The strength of pledge, promise or covenant lies in the ability of the promising party to deliver on the promise. As we see from the political process, even an upstanding candidate has at some point failed to deliver on a promise. Ultimately the credibility of a promise is grounded in the prior faithfulness of the one making the promise.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NASB)
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments…”

Prayer is a place of covenant relationship. You and I come to God with our petitions and requests, because we trust in His ability to meet the needs in our lives based upon the promises of scripture. We come to God with the confidence that because He has been faithful in keeping His covenants throughout history, He will continue to be faithful to His promises in our day.

The power of prayer is not based on your ability to pray eloquent prayers, but instead it is based in the very character and nature of God. It is God’s faithfulness to His character that allows His promises to be rock solid. God does not have to compromise on His promises, for they are complete in every way.

This week as you pray over the concerns and cares of this life, remember that your prayers are anchored in the foundation of faithfulness through the ages.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl