Writings by Barri Cae Mallin

No Fingers Crossed

Thursday 26 August 2004 - 13:16:02

I can think back to many times that I have not kept my word - to others and to God. Before I came to faith, I could have used that great response - I had my fingers crossed! I still hear that today.

But then I came to faith, and God convicted me of not keeping my end of the bargain with Him. Oh, His ways are gentle, but His ways are firm. And He let me know early in my walk with Him that if I say something and I promise Him, I better mean it.

When I lived in Dallas, I had the privilege for a couple of years to sit at the feet of Zig Ziglar, as my Sunday School teacher. One of the many pieces of wisdom that I learned from Zig, was that your signature on a document means business, and it means your pledge, your guarantee. You sign the document - you better be ready to support that decision. That echoed in my mind as I bought a house, as I signed my employment papers, even today as I sign checks. My signature is my promise.

How much more has the "Much More God" given to us of wonderful promises!
We have His word on it. The word - promise- in Hebrew, means davar, pronounced dah-vahr. This word is used as a verb over 1100 times just in the Old Testament, and as a noun, over 1400 times in the Old Testament alone. All through Scripture, we can see God's promises to us.
I think that is why I need His word, for as I read, I am renewing my faith in the God who makes promises, and keeps them.

Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45

The LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you.
Joshua 23:10

And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49

It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. Romans 9:8

In the same way, God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed an oath Heb. 6:17

The LORD is not slow about His promise as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to
repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are Yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. 2 Corin.1:20

Yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waiver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had
promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:20-21

Listen my beloved brethren; did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? James 2:5

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

All we have to do is love Him; love Him with our human finiteness. And He always keeps His end of the bargain, with no fingers crossed.

We have His Word - Davar - on it.

Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin.