This week’s Advent readings: 
Politicians are notorious for leaving promises unfulfilled. In a few weeks, we’re all going to make our own little promises as well, New Year’s resolutions, that many of us will break by the end of January. Last year, Lady GaGa promised at a live show that her new album would be the greatest one of the decade.
There is nothing to making a promise. Anyone can do it. There is no power in a promise not kept.
But there is power in a promise fulfilled. Maybe it’s because we are so intimately familiar with unfulfilled promises – promises our family members made, promises our friends made, promises our loved ones made – that we cling so tightly to ideas and stories of fulfilled promises. From billboards littering our highways promising “the best network” and “the lowest APR financing” to obnoxious pop-up ads offering “the fastest connection” and “the best of the year,” we are constantly being sold what cannot be delivered.
A promise made is a hope, but a promise kept is security.
Security. It’s what David sought in his poetry. It’s what Paul sought in his writings. It’s what the apostles sought in their Jesus. It’s what we seek as humans. Our security as believers comes from the knowledge that Christ came as the fulfillment of a promise made thousands of years ago to David.
God promised David that his kingdom would be established forever through Jesus. In Christ’s life, death and resurrection, He fulfilled that promise.
Reflect this week on God’s faithfulness. Psalms 89 says the heavens themselves declare God’s faithfulness, and that God’s faithfulness is established in the heavens. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for his people. He doesn’t make promises he won’t keep. Heaven is as sure a sign of Christ’s faithfulness as Christ was a sign of God’s faithfulness.
Christ is the promise fulfilled, the merciful redeemer, the long-awaited savior. The prophets foretold his coming thousands of years ago and we are celebrating his arrival this week. Rejoice and be glad.
God’s promise is not only our hope, but also our security.
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