Promises You Can Hang Your Hat On
Well, now, land o’ blowin’ winds that squeeze through them fence posts and set ‘em ‘a-whistlin’ like a lonely meadowlark lookin’ for company, Butterbean! Ok, you come on over here and be ‘a-settin’ yourself down on this here front porch like a chubby lil’ rabbit ‘a-snugglin’ into a sunny patch o’ grass. 2 Peter 3:9 done comes ‘a-swoopin’ in calm as a lil’ ol’ chicken hawk ‘a-glidin’ real lazy circles over a quiet pasture as we’re ‘a-bein’ told, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.” That right there’s a lil’ ol nudge to your noggin’ that’s sturdier than a cast‑iron skillet your grandma done refused to ever be ‘a-loanin’ out to anybody.
In 2 Peter 3:1-9, Peter’s done ‘a-remindin’ us that when one o’ them’ there wise-crackin’ know-it-alls gits ta’ comin’ along, ‘a-struttin’ ‘round like some o’ them overconfident turkeys, ‘a-sayin’, “What’s this here Jesus returnin’ an’ ‘a-comin’ back business?” They done act like everything’s always done been the same, like a real stubborn donkey ‘a-pretendin’ it don’t see the open gate. But Peter’s ‘a-sayin’ that them there folks’re done ‘a-forgettin’ the God who done spoke the heavens into bein’, the God who done once flooded this here whole world, and the God who done is ‘a-holdin’ every sunrise together with His mighty word.
Now, we all know folks who done git ta’ makin’ promises they can’t be ‘a-keepin’. Like that there neighbor who done swore he was ‘a-gonna be ‘a-returnin’ your leaf blower last fall, but it’s still ‘a-sittin’ in his garage like a lil’ ol’ hostage. Or that there cousin who done promised he’d be ‘a-helpin’ you move, then suddenly he done come down with a real mysterious case of “I sho’-nuff’ be ‘a-thinkin’ I done pulled somethin’ in my leg muscle.” Or that there friend who done said she’d be there at six sharp but done showed up at seven thirty with a latte and no real shame. Bless their hearts, they’re ‘bout as reliable as a raccoon ‘a-swearin’ he’ll be ‘a-stayin’ out of your trash cans.
But Jesus? Oh no, Butterbean. He’s jes’ not like that. Matthew 24:35 done tells us, “His words will never pass away.” When He done says He’s ‘a-comin’ back, you can be ‘a-countin’ on it like you can be ‘a-countin’ on a rooster ‘a-crowin’ at the crack o’ dawn whether you is ‘a-wantin’ him to or not.
God’s timin’ may feel real slow to us, but 2 Peter 3:8 done is ‘a-remindin’ us that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years. He jes’ ain’t ‘a-draggin’ His feet. He’s real patient. He’s real merciful. He’s ‘a-givin’ folks time to be ‘a-comin’ to repentance ‘cause He don’t be ‘a-wantin’ anyone to be ‘a-perishin’.
Father, I be ‘a-thankin’ You that Your promises never wobble, weaken, or wander. Be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-trustin’ Your timin’, ‘a-leanin’ on Your patience, and ’a-restin’ in Your faithfulness. Be ‘a-keepin’ my hope real steady as I be ‘a-waitin’ for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alright now, Butterbean, you go on your way and you tuck this here down deep where your heart won’t lose it ‘cause God’s promises are not like loose boards on an old porch. They’re real firm, faithful, and fastened a whole lot tighter than a tick on an ol’ hound dog. You gotta’ be ‘a-makin’ real sure that your heart sho’-nuff is done ‘a-stayin’ real anchored, your faith is done ‘a-stayin’ real strong, and your hope is done ‘a-shinin’ a whole lot brighter than a lantern ‘a-glowin’ on a real, quiet, dark country night.
With joy,
Gwen
