Living the Promises

Pastor and author, Tom Long tells about a time while he was at Princeton when he attended a nearby Presbyterian church that prides itself on being an academic, intellectual church. One evening early on, he went to a family night supper and sat down next to a man, introduced himself, told him he was new, and asked, “Have you been here long?”

“Oh yes,” the man said. “In fact, I was here before this became such a scholarly church. Why I’m probably the only non-intellectual left. I haven’t understood a sermon in over 25 years.” 

“Then why do you keep coming?,” Tom asked.

“Because every Monday night a group of us get in the church van and drive over to the youth correctional center. Sometimes we play basketball or play games. Usually, we share a Bible story. But mostly we just get to know these kids and listen to them. I started going because Christians are supposed to do those kinds of things. But now I could never stop. Sharing the love of God at that youth center has changed my life.” And then he made this profound statement. “You cannot prove the promises of God in advance, but if you live them, they’re true, everyone.”

That’s beautiful, isn’t it? I pray today that in your own life, you would continue to live the promises of God. And, may you find that they are indeed true – every one.

Our prayer today was written by Swiss diplomate, author, economist, and Secretary-General to the United Nations, the late Dag Hammarskjold. Let us pray: Great and good God, give us pure hearts that we may see you, humble hearts that we may hear you, hearts of love that we may serve you, hearts of faith that we may live in you, reverent hearts that we may worship you, here and in the world out there, through Jesus Christ. Amen.