His Endless Stack of Promises
/
I had a giggle yesterday - maybe more like a laugh. Because I live alone, I talk out loud to God all day long. No need to communicate silently because it's just Him and me here. I was pouring out my heart to the Lord, when I suddenly thought how it would sound if someone overheard me. They might wonder about my sanity - or they might think I was saying all the things about myself! I had a good laugh - and continued my communication. It's a delight to be able to pray and sing aloud all through the day and night to our wonderful God. I sense His sweet presence with me.
Some people say to me that they could never face the trials I've had - that they don't have it in them. I've realized that, on our own, none of us can endure the trials of life. But, when they come, as we press in to the Lord - He pours out strength, a deep inner strength that helps us get through the hard times.
I love this verse: "I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being." Ephesians 3:16
From His power and might, His riches, He pours strength into our inner being. We may feel that we're dry as the desert, but He meets us with the rain of His strength and gives us inner strength. When the pressures, the trials, come - He sustains us from within so that we don't crumble under the weight of the trials.
I look back over the last 8 years and see how God has stretched and strengthened my inner being. I couldn't have survived otherwise. His power in me, the inner strength He has built, is greater than any of the pressure, trials, and troubles around me.
"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!" Jude 1:24,25
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2,3
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.' " Isaiah 41:13
"He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:14
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." Psalm 105:4
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8
As we press into Him in the midst of our trials, He increases our inner strength that draws from His strength.....and we will not be shaken! Whatever life throws at us, God is with us and increases our ability to handle what comes our way. His power in us is made perfect in our weakness!
Growing up in Galveston, Texas my mother and I were at church pretty much every time the doors were open for a service. Important foundations were built in my life during those early years - things that have stayed with me for decades. I'm amazed that I'll remember something from my childhood seemingly 'out of the blue.' A thought, a song, an experience, a memory, a testimony will come to mind just when I need it.
That happened this week. I had some hard things to deal with. As I was pressing through and dealing with each one - a song came into my mind that we often sang in our church when I was a young girl.
"Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior,
Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God."
As that song went through my mind, I pictured those promises being like a solid rock that I cling to. I could hold onto it when the storms come. His promises are strong and secure. I've been singing the song all week.
Then this morning I woke up with another one, I think from my Sunday School days:
"Every promise in the book is mine,
Every chapter, every verse, every line,
All are blessings of His love divine,
Every promise in the book is mine."
With this song I saw a stack of books in my mind's eye - every book representing a promise. The stack was huge - higher than I could hardly see. The numbers vary according to how they're counted, but the general consensus is that there are up to 8,810 promises. That's a lot of promises that we can stand on!!
I thought of a few that are particularly meaningful to me:
- His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:22,23
- His grace is sufficient for every need - and His power is made perfect in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
- His plans are to give us a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
- If we are weary and burdened, He will give us rest. Matthew 11:28,29
- When we are weak, He will help us with new strength. We will run and not be weary - walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
- He gives a peace that the world can't give. John 14:27
- He will supply every need - He's my provider. Philippians 4:19
- He will hold us with His righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
- He will never leave us or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6
- If we lack wisdom, He will give it. James 1:5
- He is the God who heals us. Exodus 15:26
- He is my husband. Isaiah 54:5
- He gives power to the faint. Isaiah 40:29
- He shows us the way to walk. Isaiah 30:21
- I'm never alone. Joshua 1:5, 9
- He is my protector. Psalm 18:2-4
The list could go on and on! And "He who promised is faithful!" Hebrews 10:23
My heart was encouraged this week as I thought of all the wonderful promises of the Lord. There is a promise for anything we will face. He knew what we'd need, and He promised to provide for that need. How good He is! I rest secure in His loving care.