Speaking to his father a little boy asked, “Do all fairy tales begin with, ‘Once upon a time?’”

His father replied, “Many of them do but not all. Some start with, ‘If I get elected, I promise….’”

Here in the U.S., especially during this election year, there is no end to political hullabaloo and vainly made promises for the purpose of seeking to get elected. The only way to know how a politician will vote in the future is to note how he or she voted in the past. It’s what we do, not what we say, that says who a person really is, and is the measure of his or her character.

As another has said, what is desperately needed in this day and age are not politicians but statesmen/women—leaders with integrity, character, and moral fortitude—who only make promises they genuinely believe they can keep, and should they be elected, stay true to their word and do their utmost to fulfill their pre-election promises.

The important thing for those of us who claim to be Christian—not just politicians but every one of us—is not to make promises we aren’t sure we can keep, and to always keep our word and the promises that we do make.

Fortunately for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and put their trust in God, we can rest assured in God’s unfailing love and eternal promises. God always keeps his promises and his Word. As he said, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”²

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me not to be swayed by manipulative silver-tongued orators—be they smooth politicians, business or religious leaders, etc.—but see through phony promise makers and not be swayed by them. Help me to always be true to my word and the promises I make. And thank you for the security I have knowing that you always keep your Word and your promises. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 119:140 (NIV).
2. Isaiah 55:11, (NIV).