The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:39, NIV

 

Today, when repeating the word “promises” as in promises, promises – it indicates that one does not actually believe someone. Certainly, we have been jaded by unmet promises; politicians have seen to that and, so too, anyone who has made light of a commitment.

 

Modern man has certainly veered away from the old-time reverence attached to the value of one’s word – when one’s word was one’s word. It meant everything. Now, reputations get managed and integrity has decidedly taken a back seat. We are no longer surprised when people lie; it seems like it is the default setting and truth has evaporated into thin air. Yet, when God makes a promise, he means it.

 

God has always had a universal plan. And this plan went into overdrive one day in Jerusalem after Jesus had instructed them to wait for the gift he promised and the church age was officially inaugurated. That is the legacy of what transpired in a city called Jerusalem in such close proximity to the ancient City of David.

 

The shoot from the Root of Jesse left instructions for how his promise would be executed near the home of one of the greatest kings of Israel, King David. By design, the true King of Israel walked those dusty streets, was tried in a trial considered as illegal by many scholars and crucified among thieves.

 

All this is because he knew he had a plan, that there was a promise that had to be fulfilled. He allowed lowly men to strip him, beat him to a pulp, spit on him, mock him – he never retaliated because he knew what he had promised. He knew that many who had prophesied the truth had been rejected. Once again, Jerusalem would reject a prophet, God even. He lamented: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)

 

Despite everything, he never gave up on Jerusalem, the people of Israel, the ones yet to come. He never buckled under pressure or lack of love. He persisted. He pushed forward resolutely.

 

Like, Revelation 5:12, all I can say is “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”.

 

"I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12)

 

Prayer: Father God, we can only reiterate the words of the multitudes in heaven and wait to see your plans fulfilled among the multitudes on earth. Amen