When is the last time you "shook on a deal?" In the business world, this doesn't really happen anymore, but at one time this was a valid way of making a commitment to each other. Today though, contracts are layers deep, detailed with specific criteria to be executed by both parties in the contract. "Out clauses" are common as are "Act of God" clauses. Consequences for violating the agreement are spelled out in writing and then all the terms are signed into effect by both parties. All the details are meant to protect both parties, but does anyone miss the simplicity of a hand shake deal? Operating in agreement with a handshake deal requires a large amount of trust in the person you shaking hands with. Handshake deals are reserved for only those we know personally and know well. I would say they're also reserved for those we intend to be in a partnership or business relationship with for the foreseeable future. A handshake deal is only done when you know the character of the person you are in an agreement with.

What if God offered you a handshake deal? Would you take it? Do you trust God to hold up the promises he's committed too? Do you believe what's in the Bible is true? Throughout the Old and New Testament we can find promises from God. Some of these promised have been fulfilled and were meant for a specific people and a specific time. Others are promises for today and promises for the future. God's made quite a few promises and he's made good on every one of them and will continue to honor his promises that are coming yet in the future.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 ²⁰ For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. ²¹ It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, ²² and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.