It is campaign and election season!
Presidential and Vice-presidential candidates have been formally debating each other and both parties have been canvassing this great country of ours. At times such as this, HUGE promises are made by all parties.
Jokes are made and the public has become jaded wh
en it comes to the numerous broken promises made by politicians. For example, in 1988 George H. W. Bush infamously said, “Read my lips: No new taxes!” Then, while in office, signed a bill that increased taxes. Woodrow Wilson won re-election in 1916 on the slogan “He kept us out of war” and then he led the U. S. into WWI in 1917. Lyndon B. Johnson campaigned in 1964 as “the peace candidate” and then promptly became entangled in Vietnam.
Why is it so commonplace for Presidents to make promises that they do not keep?
Conditions Changed—As things stood the day they made their promise, they had every intention (and even the likely ability) to make good on what they had said. But then things changed. The politicians were powerless to the newly created conditions. Thankfully, God is not subject to the changing conditions of world economy and powers. God controls the conditions. God is the maker and defeater of kings. God causes all things to work according to His plan (Romans 8:28). Circumstances do not change Him (Mal. 3:6). God can be counted on to keep His promises.
Opposition Too Strong—A president may have a plan (even a great plan), but he still has to get the approval of Congress. It may be that his enemies are too powerful and they thwart his plans. Thankfully, God has no threats to His power (Isa. 40:15-18). In His sovereignty, He accomplishes what He sees fit to accomplish—no matter what His enemies have in mind. God can be counted on to keep His promises.
Too Costly—Sometimes politicians realize that it would cost them too much to pursue fulfilling the promises that they’ve made. They’d have to call in too many favors. They’d have to expend too much political capital. It just isn’t worth the personal hit they would have to take so they give up. Thankfully, no cost was too great for God. God paid the ultimate price and gave His Son (John 3:16; Rom. 8:32). God can be counted on to keep His promises.
