Promises, Promises

Romans 8:1–4

Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)

Promises, Promises

When our nine-year-old daughter attended camp the first time, she worried about everything from making friends to the food they’d serve. Especially ham. Because ham was one of the few foods Esther hated, she had a premonition they’d serve it.

“Don’t worry, honey,” I said. “Most Christian camps can’t afford expensive meats. I promise you, they will not serve ham.”

While I helped Esther unpack the following weekend, I asked her how she liked the food.

“It was OK, except the first night.”

“Oh, what happened then?”

“They served ham.”

I was horrified that I’d broken Esther’s trust. Because I’d promised something I couldn’t control, my promise was worthless. Although she readily forgave me, that was the last time I said, “I promise” to her.

God doesn’t worry about keeping His promises to us. Because He is eternal, He can control the outcome of His Word. When He says, “I promise,” He always comes through.

One of God’s promises is that if we’re in Christ, we’re free from the law of sin and death. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the right to say no to sin and walk away from temptation. When we believe that promise and act on it, we can exercise victory over sin and experience the freedom of a joyful life.

I promise. Better than that, God promises.

—Jeanette Levellie

Take God at His promise today, and exercise your right to say no to sin.

Jeanette Levellie is a pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother from Paris, Illinois. She enjoys public speaking, writing, and spoiling her cats.

—Jeanette Levellie