HE is a Promise Keeper

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 1:1

Sunday I was so encouraged by this verse. By the Truth in it.

Are you wondering how? How on earth that statement could lead to anything but a boring list of names and "begat"s?

Then, allow me to share with you what my pastor shared with us at church.
He explained that the Jewish listeners - for whom this text was originally written - would have heard it differently than we do today. Pastor Marvin did a lot of explaining about how important genealogy was to the people of that day, but the kicker for me was the point he made about the Promise. Matthew specifically stated that Jesus was the son of David, and - on hearing that - the Jewish listeners of that day would have immediately recalled the promise God had made some 1,000 years earlier.
God had promised His people that He would send a Savior, who would be from the family line of David. And His people had waited. And waited.
Finally, after 1,000 years, Jesus arrived. And He was the son of David. Hearing about it would remind the Jewish people: God is a Promise Keeper.

After explaining the significance of Matthew's statement, Pastor Marvin reminded us that today, God is still a Promise Keeper. Though we may have to wait, we can trust God to keep His promises.
And that was the moment when I became so encouraged.

Allow me to back up about an hour: In the process of getting out the door to church Sunday morning, Joshua and I were frustrating each other. Big time. And I found myself at the place I often do, where I am rolling my eyes heaven-ward and asking, Really, God? Really??? And I am supposed to survive life with a teenage boy HOW???
Now, fast-forward an hour: I was encouraged because as Pastor Marvin was reminding us that God is a Promise Keeper, God was reminding me of the promise He made to me several years ago. Probably seven or eight, actually.

I was with my mentor and she was reading Luke 1 to me. As she read what the angel spoke to Zechariah about John, I could have sworn God was speaking to me about Joshua.

He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.

Luke 1:14

Ever since that day, I have been holding on to that promise. Trusting that God will use my son for His kingdom. Trusting that - even though I can't see it now - God is working in Joshua's heart and life, and preparing him to serve God and His kingdom.
And although Sunday morning - in the midst of my frustration - I had lost sight of God's promise, HE was faithful to remind me. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.

I believe You, God. Because You are a Promise Keeper.

Are you holding on to God's promises today?