Capitol Bible Study: "Promises, Promises"

From our interim Bible study in the West Virginia Capitol:

“A chicken in every pot, and a car in every garage.”

– 1928 Herbert Hoover Presidential Campaign

This may be perhaps one the best known campaign promises ever uttered. During the presidential campaign of 1928 a circular published claimed that if Herbert Hoover were elected, America would see this kind of prosperity. However, the stock market crash of 1929 plunged the country into the Great Depression. The American people lost confidence in Hoover and he failed to win a second term.

This is a great example pointing out the difficulty in making and keeping campaign promises. People wrongly believe politicians will say anything “just to get elected”. The reality is most candidates have the best of intentions when making statements regarding stands on issues and plans for serving in office. It is when faced with the challenges of leading and lawmaking, changes in circumstances, and the very realities of the political process that it becomes quite difficult to follow through on the statements and promises made during the campaign. There may be a few who make promises they have no intention of keeping, but most simply find that it may be quite difficult at times, due to circumstances and realities, to keep the promises they have made. Whatever the case, when it comes to politics, many will indeed often say, “promises, promises”.

This is not the case when it comes to God and the promises we find in His Word. Those who trust Christ and follow God have a heavenly Father Who will always keep His promises. He intends to do so when He makes them and He is able to do so regardless of circumstances. So we are reminded in Hebrews 10:23 that we can “Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…” One of the great privileges we have as citizens of heaven are the great promises we have from our heavenly king. As we near the close of our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, we come to one of the most encouraging promises God has given us. When we grasp its truth it will certainly help keep us from wavering in our walk with Christ:

…My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

You can download the complete study HERE.