If ... you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart ... Deut. 4:29
When Konstantin got into a terrible car accident, he vowed that if he would survive he'd devote the rest of his life to God. Miraculously he walked away with no serious injury. Three years have passed. Today Konstantin is honest enough to admit that he hasn't kept his promise. Actually he is still wondering which religion he should follow.
Konstantin lives in Russia, but his story rings true everywhere. We all know of people who made a promise to the Lord when they were in trouble. But then things got better, and they forgot their promise to God. In fact, the Scriptures teach that we all, at some point in our lives, have been promise breakers.
In today's passage we read about Israel's pattern of relations with the Lord: rebellion against God leading to expulsion from the promised land; repentance resulting in restoration. God's people went through this cycle again and again. God eventually revealed that the only way out of sin and rebellion is through Jesus Christ, who gives us new life through his Holy Spirit. In him we can live and grow in grace by the Spirit's power.
If we feel lost in our faith journey today, if we have broken our promises to God, let us turn to God and be encouraged by this beautiful truth: "The LORD ... will not abandon ... you or forget" his promises to you.
Our heavenly Father, forgive us for promises that we made to you and then broke. By your Holy Spirit teach us to be fully committed to you, and guide us each day. In Jesus, Amen.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!