Promise

Definition: a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen*

Approximate Number of Occurrences in Scripture (222)

Read: the entire book of Ruth for full context of this account

Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV) 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your GOD my GOD. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

That Was Then

The Book of Ruth is undeniably one of the most beautiful expressions of love in scripture. This love is not merely limited to conjugal feelings between a man and a woman (although you’ll find it here too) it expresses itself through unrelenting loyalty, faith, respect, humility, service, protection, provision, faithfulness, commitment, and blessing. And it all started with a promise.

This account unfolds in the midst of a tragic situation. A famine in Bethlehem forced a family to move to Moab, a foreign land. Over the course of about ten years the husband and both sons died, leaving Naomi a widow and her two Moabite daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth, also widows. Upon hearing that the famine ended, the women prepare to make the arduous trip back to the land of Judah. Realizing the slim probability of her Moabite daughters remarrying in Israel, Naomi urges them to return to Moab in hope of a better life. Both women struggled with leaving their beloved mother-in-law, but Orpah departed. Ruth however, did something exceptional – clinging to Naomi, she made an irrevocable pledge of commitment to her (see featured text).

Ruth’s promise to Naomi conveyed a devotion of the purest kind – one that countless couples have since replicated as their wedding vows. With these words, Ruth abandoned her familiar setting to be a foreigner; she forfeited the option of marriage and children; and renounced her gods, pledging fidelity to the GOD of Israel. Sealing her commitment, which extended beyond death and burial, she invoked severe judgment upon herself if she broke her promise. Ruth did not just make a promise to her mother-in-law – she made it to Naomi’s GOD.

How GOD rewarded Ruth’s trust in Him throughout the chapters that follow is none short of awesome. Naomi, who changed her name to Mara (meaning bitter) expected to have an existence that mirrored her brokenness. Instead, GOD immensely blessed the latter part of her life through Ruth. And of course, Ruth was met with one blessing after the next. GOD ordered her steps to glean barley in the field of a wealthy and highly respected farmer named Boaz, who happened to be a kinsman redeemer. Boaz saved Naomi from financial distress by purchasing her property, thus acquiring Ruth as his wife and preserving her deceased husband’s name. What’s more, GOD blessed Ruth, Boaz and grandma Naomi with a bouncing baby boy, and everyone lived happily ever after.

This is Now

This post is partially autobiographical as my mind kept coming back to a touching promise that was made to me in over 50 years ago. “I’ll raise you like my own flesh and blood” were nine words that profoundly impacted my life – because she did.

My mom, Fannie Mae (the only mother I knew) was a rare and special gift. When she received the news that a family acquaintance suddenly passed away leaving behind two small children, her heart ached with compassion. Having already raised three children of her own (now grown), she could have easily said “that’s a young person’s job”. But at nearly 40 years old, she decided to start over by taking on a toddler and a six-year-old. Not only did she keep the promise to treat me and my older sister as her flesh and blood, but the entire family did. At no point were we ever made to feel like outsiders or threatened with rejection. This made my experience growing up as a foster child very unusual, but in a good way. It was only during the social worker’s occasional home visits when I was reminded that I was a ward of the state. Otherwise, my sister and I received the love, affection, security, sacrifice, provision, patience and sense of family my older siblings did. As in any family, with love came the occasional discipline, just as the household brought the occasional drama. What’s more, for my sixteenth birthday she doubled-down on her promise, legally adopting me – giving me the family name.

Being adopted into a loving family gives me a very unique perspective of GOD and His plan for salvation. Once we are “adopted as His sons” we (not by our own merit or qualifications) have immediate rights and access to every one of His Divine Promises. His love, wisdom, comfort, peace, joy, protection, sacrifice, provision, and His NAME belong to us. Our identity is changed to reflect who He is, and we receive an eternal inheritance. As a good Father, He raises us like we are His own flesh and blood. He never treats us as outsiders, and we are never threatened with rejection. The enemy of our souls makes occasional visits to remind us that we were once wards of his state (Hell), but has no grounds to ever separate us from our adoptive Father (see Romans 8:37-39). As with any good Father, He is sometimes called to administer discipline; but it is to teach us, and we’re always better as a result. Of course, no one can exist in a family as big as His and not have occasional drama. But His family creed (the Word of God) governs our relationships with Him and each other, maintaining order.

GOD has a flawless track record for keeping His promises. 2Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) says, For no matter how many promises GOD has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of GOD. Trust Him, the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it! (1Thes. 5:24).

Who Said That?!!!

“People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them.” – Unknown**

What Do You Say?

AFFIRMATION: "I keep my promises."

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*www.merriam-webster.com

**www.brainyquote.com