July 8. 2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26

 

See a shooting star and you… what? Blow out the candles on your birthday cake and you do the same. Or you cross your heart and hope to die as you make a pinky… what?

Promises, wishes, and even vows – we make them and they are made to us, but they do not all come true. Sometimes that is okay, we did not really expect something to happen, but enjoyed, for a brief magical moment the “what if” possibility of this wish coming true.

But promises and vows and commitments, now those usually carry much more weight and impact if not realized: and those not fulfilled can crush a soul or destroy a life. Instead of offering hope, hope is crushed and a heart is left empty.

Back in 2nd Kings chapter 10, God makes a promise to Jehu:

 

2 Kings 10:30 Afterwards the Lord said to Jehu, “You have done well in following my instructions to destroy the dynasty of Ahab. Because of this I will cause your son, your grandson, and your great-grandson to be the kings of Israel.”

 

In today’s Scripture reading, we encounter the completion of God’s promise to Jehu, with the story of Zechariah’s reign and his death.

 

2 Kings 15:11 The rest of the history of Zechariah’s reign is found in The Annals of the Kings of Israel. 12 (So the Lord’s statement to Jehu came true, that Jehu’s son, grandson, and great-grandson would be kings of Israel.)

 

2 Kings 15 is another chapter full of plot twists, attacks, assassinations, greed, sin and oh yeah, a few good deeds too. A storyline like the one we are reading today could very easily overshadow these few, simple but extremely powerful words: “So the Lord’s statement to Jehu came true…” That is a powerful statement! That statement brings hope into your life and mine!

God’s words are true! His promises cannot fail. What has He told you? What promises has He given to you? Titus 1:2 states that God cannot lie.

 

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

 

If you have never received a word from God, or know what His promises are to you, spend a little time in His Word, He has something prepared for you. Spend a little time in His church where His Word will be shared in a song, a message or a prayer. Ask a friend who has received and experienced God’s promises and perhaps they can help you to encounter words and promises that will not be broken.

God is faithful. He will be faithful to you. Do not let the disappointments of wishes, dreams, and promises unfulfilled in your life, by others or yourself, taint the fact that God always keeps His promises, vows and commitments to you. He loves you. God loves you. There is hope. You have hope.