(Monday)
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
The familiar words of Robert Frost’s poem* indicate that the traveler is drawn in by the beauty of the forest. Woods are before him – woods where no responsibilities are waiting, and he could simply pause to be enveloped by the serenity of the night snowfall. He chooses, however, to continue his journey and return to his hard-working life before he can rest. Whether he means physical sleep or eternal sleep remains in the mind of the reader, but his promises are valuable enough to him that he urges his little horse on toward the tasks that lie ahead. He travels alone so no one is near to question his decision. He simply gives voice to his intention, and we believe he will live into his commitment.
Do you promise? Why is that an automatic sequel question at my house? If I say I will do something, I should follow through on that. If you say you will, you should. That should be the end of the conversation, but at our house the spontaneous follow-up query is never far behind. Do you promise? While growing up, my children were masters at the after-inquiry. I may give voice to my intention, but believing I will keep my commitment required a more clear guarantee.
Could you bring me a surprise from your trip? Of course! Do you promise?
Will you be home early today? Yes, I will. Do you promise?
Can we have pizza for supper? 'May' we, and absolutely. Do you promise?
Oftentimes, even fears were expressed in that question-and-promise formula. When will you die? Not for a very long time. Do you promise?
Children as young as four and five years of age are well acquainted with seeking promises. While they may not have the cognitive skills to fully grasp how to keep a promise, they are certainly experts at requesting them. For a child, a promise represents an assurance, a commitment, a feeling of security. For adults… not much changes.
“Honey, could we run to the craft store tomorrow?” Honey – that’s what I call Bill when I’m about to ask for something he won’t love. I know craft shopping is not his favorite way to spend his time, and I know the request means a couple of hours out of his full day. Bill, however, struggles to say no to a honey-appeal. “Sure,” he answers.
His answer is affirmative, but the word he chooses doesn’t feel binding. He sort of said yes, but I feel as though his “sure” stands for “Shopping Usually Requires Endurance.” That means he’ll do it, but perhaps begrudgingly. If I am to lock in his decision and rest with my assurance that this is really going to happen, I only have one course of action. “Do you promise?” I need the commitment. The look I usually get means I don’t have to ask. Bill is always one to keep his word.
Of the nearly 9000 promises in our Bible, over 7500 of them are promises to us made by God. From Genesis to Psalms to Hebrews and all the way into Revelation, God is consistent in making promises. The best part, though, is that God doesn’t require the after-question. God is faithful to fully keep every single commitment… and does! The same yesterday, today and tomorrow forever, scripture continually tells us that God remembers all covenants and keeps his promises. What’s more, God never “sort of” says yes, never begrudgingly follows through, and never warrants our questioning. We don’t have to ask; God is always one to keep his Word. That’s the best promise of all.
Miles to go before I sleep,
Pastor Beth
* Frost, Robert. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The Poetry of Robert Frost. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc., 1969.
PRAYER FROM PSALM 105
Lord, we give thanks to you as we call on your name. May we continually make your works known to all people! Our very lives move us to sing praises to you. As we seek you, our hearts rejoice! May we always pursue you and your strength, and may we seek your face forever. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 105 – His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac.
Genesis 21 – The Lord was attentive to Sarah just as he had said, and the Lord carried out just what he had promised her.
Hebrews 1 – You, Lord, laid the earth’s foundations in the beginning, and the heavens are made by your hands. They will pass away, but you remain.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
The familiar words of Robert Frost’s poem* indicate that the traveler is drawn in by the beauty of the forest. Woods are before him – woods where no responsibilities are waiting, and he could simply pause to be enveloped by the serenity of the night snowfall. He chooses, however, to continue his journey and return to his hard-working life before he can rest. Whether he means physical sleep or eternal sleep remains in the mind of the reader, but his promises are valuable enough to him that he urges his little horse on toward the tasks that lie ahead. He travels alone so no one is near to question his decision. He simply gives voice to his intention, and we believe he will live into his commitment.
Do you promise? Why is that an automatic sequel question at my house? If I say I will do something, I should follow through on that. If you say you will, you should. That should be the end of the conversation, but at our house the spontaneous follow-up query is never far behind. Do you promise? While growing up, my children were masters at the after-inquiry. I may give voice to my intention, but believing I will keep my commitment required a more clear guarantee.
Could you bring me a surprise from your trip? Of course! Do you promise?
Will you be home early today? Yes, I will. Do you promise?
Can we have pizza for supper? 'May' we, and absolutely. Do you promise?
Oftentimes, even fears were expressed in that question-and-promise formula. When will you die? Not for a very long time. Do you promise?
Children as young as four and five years of age are well acquainted with seeking promises. While they may not have the cognitive skills to fully grasp how to keep a promise, they are certainly experts at requesting them. For a child, a promise represents an assurance, a commitment, a feeling of security. For adults… not much changes.
“Honey, could we run to the craft store tomorrow?” Honey – that’s what I call Bill when I’m about to ask for something he won’t love. I know craft shopping is not his favorite way to spend his time, and I know the request means a couple of hours out of his full day. Bill, however, struggles to say no to a honey-appeal. “Sure,” he answers.
His answer is affirmative, but the word he chooses doesn’t feel binding. He sort of said yes, but I feel as though his “sure” stands for “Shopping Usually Requires Endurance.” That means he’ll do it, but perhaps begrudgingly. If I am to lock in his decision and rest with my assurance that this is really going to happen, I only have one course of action. “Do you promise?” I need the commitment. The look I usually get means I don’t have to ask. Bill is always one to keep his word.
Of the nearly 9000 promises in our Bible, over 7500 of them are promises to us made by God. From Genesis to Psalms to Hebrews and all the way into Revelation, God is consistent in making promises. The best part, though, is that God doesn’t require the after-question. God is faithful to fully keep every single commitment… and does! The same yesterday, today and tomorrow forever, scripture continually tells us that God remembers all covenants and keeps his promises. What’s more, God never “sort of” says yes, never begrudgingly follows through, and never warrants our questioning. We don’t have to ask; God is always one to keep his Word. That’s the best promise of all.
Miles to go before I sleep,
Pastor Beth
* Frost, Robert. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The Poetry of Robert Frost. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston Inc., 1969.
PRAYER FROM PSALM 105
Lord, we give thanks to you as we call on your name. May we continually make your works known to all people! Our very lives move us to sing praises to you. As we seek you, our hearts rejoice! May we always pursue you and your strength, and may we seek your face forever. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 105 – His justice is everywhere throughout the whole world. God remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded to a thousand generations, which he made with Abraham, the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac.
Genesis 21 – The Lord was attentive to Sarah just as he had said, and the Lord carried out just what he had promised her.
Hebrews 1 – You, Lord, laid the earth’s foundations in the beginning, and the heavens are made by your hands. They will pass away, but you remain.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html