Promise Keepers

Promise Keepers

Read Isaiah 32:1–35:10

1. What sorrow awaits you Assyrians, who have destroyed others but havenever been destroyed yourselves. You betray others, but you have never been betrayed. When you are done destroying, you will be destroyed. When you are done betraying, you will be betrayed.
2. But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble
3. The enemy runs at the sound of your voice. When you stand up, the nations flee!
4. Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines, so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!
5. Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness.
6. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:1-6

Have you ever been hurt by a broken promise? Some people have been fortunate enough to escape the scars from broken promises, but others will forever feel the effects. They’ll carry a memory, a regret, or a grudge.

The prophecies in this reading deal with promise-breakers and their victims. For the promise-breaking Assyrians, Isaiah brings a message of condemnation. For the Assyrians’ victims, the Israelites, Isaiah brings a message of hope, comfort, and peace. For us, it’s good to know God cares about promises—kept and broken. Read this passage for a message of hope.

Also in this reading you will find that God is out to take back what belongs to him.

The rulers of Assyria came under God’s judgment because they broke their promises while demanding that others keep theirs (Isaiah 33:1). They observed a selfish double standard that protected them and exploited others.

Like the Assyrian rulers, we find it easy to expect a lot out of others while requiring less of ourselves. But God takes promises very seriously, and he wants us to be fair. Broken promises shatter trust and destroy relationships.

Determine to keep your promises. Negotiate in good faith. Demand the same faithfulness of yourself that you ask of everyone else.