TOPIC: MADE A DEBTOR BY PROMISES PT2
TEXT: 11:35
''And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back.''
When a promise is made, a ground or standing is created, whereupon the would-be beneficiary takes his stand, and build his hope, respecting the object of the said promise: it follows therefore, that if the promise is from a fickle man, woe betide whoever build his hope thereon: this again is a reason for us to tread with care when making or receiving promises. Promises creat a world or sphere for the one who is given the promises; he leaves in that world by faith; adjusting his whole being thereto and, possibly rejects other assistances: oh what a disaster for him to be told that the promise cannot be made good! He would discover that he lived in a false world and has built his castle in the air: herein lies the pain of an unfulfilled promise. Brothers, do you know that it is wickedness to go back on our promises? It is like asking a man to jump from a plane without a parachute! He who goes back on his promises dishonours himself, and distorts his image with his promisee! Someone may object, supposing an unforeseen contingency raises its head, that lawfully warrants the stalling of the performance of that promised? I answer: as a debtor begs and solicits for the understanding or favour of his creditor, so must we act toward all those that have our promises, in the event of any difficulties in performance. We must seek humbly for a discharge from that pact through godly and humble means. Know you not that a man makes himself a debtor by promise: and he whom the promise is made to has right to sue him in the court of heaven? Hence, saints, give or receive not promises carelessly. Let us be of a frame of mind whereby we call one another to question if promises are broken: this would heighten our nobility amongst the Gentiles. He who refuses to honour his own promises, has no honour with God and man. to be continued.