2 Chronicles 6:4

A timeless truth is before us at the outset of today's reading.  Verse four begins with this phrase, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise He made..."  And in this phrase we find one of the greatest attributes of our Creator, faithfulness, especially with promises.

One of the most impacting Christian movements in modern history was the Promise Keepers initiative.  You can read about PK's  history through their site.  Although their impact has waned in recent years, I believe the fruit of their ministry will endure for decades to come.  I remember being at my first event at the former Redskins Stadium on a Friday night, tens of thousands of men worshipping together under the night sky...the presence of God in that place was, and is still, indescribable.  I reference this historic movement because of their primary vision, to see a generation of men raised who would be found faithful, promise keepers, reflecting the very image of God, our Creator, as referenced in 2 Chronicles 6:4.

This idea of being a promise keeper is especially poignant to me today because of the story that is captivating the world, Mr. Edward Snowden.  What should be our gravest concern, that our government seems to have compromised the right of privacy of countless citizens or that countless citizens are so easily declaring Mr. Snowden a hero?

Of all the reasons both religious and non-religious persons are decrying the abundance of moral and ethical woes permeating society, I fear that failing to keep our vows is becoming commonplace.  The case of Mr. Snowden would be entirely different if he had discovered a program that was operating outside the bounds of the law, outside the bounds of the knowledge of elected officials, outside the bounds of multi-governmental branch accountability.  One might argue it was outside the bounds of our Constitution; however, there is a clear legal path afforded to us when such an instance is suspected.  Lazy citizens always choose to break their word when the work of sound moral and ethical demands ensue.  Mr. Snowden is an American citizen who took an oath, gave his word, spoke a vow, made a promise.  Again, one might say so did those elected officials who may have perpetrated a grave injustice agains its citizens.  But if we become a society that allows the sins of others to become a permissive moment for our own sin, we quickly spiral downward into an inescapable chaos.

Many people present themselves as a patriot...for the hope of vain glory and ill-gotten wealth.  Mr. Edward Snowden is not a keeper of promises and in so doing, he betrays both the image in which he was created and our great Nation.

Pastor Fred