God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? – Numbers 23:19
I got His word a long time ago.
March 2005
Jerry and I were settled into a booth at a casual dining seafood restaurant while out of town. We’d placed our orders enthusiastically but when the meals arrived we were disappointed. Even the waiter was shocked by missing vegetables, minuscule portion sizes and cooled temperatures. He apologized profusely and took the plates back to the kitchen.
When he returned a few minutes later, plates posed carefully in his hands, he stumbled and sent a portion of each dish sailing to the ground. I felt so bad for him and he seemed to feel equally distraught for us. Again, apologies were offered and once again he headed to the kitchen.
A few moments later, a stately gentleman wearing a suit and a grim expression came to our table. He explained that he was the general manager and was deeply sorry for our experience. He promised piping hot dinners momentarily but then, he did something more. He took out a business card from his pocket and slid it across the table.
He said, “I’ve signed this card on the back. It’s good for two free entrees when you come again. Next time, we’ll take better care of you. You have my word.”
That was years ago.
I had that business card tucked in a small zipper portion of my wallet for five years. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten about it. I knew it was there but was waiting until we were back in that part of the country to visit that regional restaurant. Our travel hadn’t brought us back . . . until now.
July 2010
We pulled into the restaurant lot. It was different. The signage had been changed and the paint updated. We walked in and saw a renovated interior and newly revamped menu. There was nothing the same about this eatery I’d not stepped into for half a decade. I called the manger over, pulled the card out of the compartment in my wallet and clarified the circumstances. He looked at the signature on the card and explained that, that particular gentleman hadn’t been on staff for over 3 years now. He was long gone.
I was immediately discouraged.
Had I waited too long to receive the benefit I’d been promised?
I was just about to put the card back into my purse when the new manager spoke up. “A lot has changed over the years young lady but not our word. We always do what we say we would. So, pull up a chair and enjoy your meal.”
Everything about the circumstances had changed: the building, the menu, the décor, the employees. Time had caused a major shift in every way imaginable. Yet nothing could hamper or disturb the promise I’d been given years ago. It had been signed by the one in charge and his word was good enough.
Have your circumstances changed so drastically over the years that you are seriously wondering if God’s word to you will still be accomplished? Are you discouraged as you survey the dramatic alterations in your life because it appears that the promises He whispered to you have long expired? Has so much time passed that you wonder if anything you once held certain will pan out in the end?
I’ve got good news for you: Everything in your life may be different but one thing will never change – and that’s His word. He’ll never leave you. He wouldn’t dare forsake you and if He signed off on it, He’ll make good on it.
Pull up a chair and enjoy.
Faithful is He who calls you and He will also bring it to pass. – 1 Thessalonians 5:24
