Most of the time we look forward to the fulfilling of promises with pleasant anticipation, and easily overlook the fact that there are no promises without a cost. This is especially true when we look at our Lord and his promises to us.
The other evening I was out on my exercise run-walk with our dog. A storm had just stopped, and as I was heading toward the west I was admiring the brilliant blue sky, and the glistening forest on the rolling hills; as far as the eye could see freshly watered by God’s blessing. Again my mind was flooded with sweet memories of taking the same walk with Miriam and how we used to stop and look over the beautiful scenery, praising God for his awesome work of creation. These thoughts choked me up, and I had a bit of difficulty trying to bring forth thoughts of praise. …Is it ever going to get better? These waves of grief are so debilitating. I am so discouraged sometimes… Then I turned around and nearly fell on my knees in worship on the middle of the road…
As I mentioned the rain just past off to the east clearing the western sky and behind my back unbeknown to me in the dark clouds, God prepared the most brilliant intense rainbow I have ever seen.
My mind was instantly back about 5000 years (give or take a few hundred J ) when Noah exited the ark after the greatest judgment on mankind in Creation’s history. There God made a promise to us (Noah being our representative) that He will never destroy mankind by flood ever again. He kept ,and I am confident will keep this promise forever. Then He assured me by his Spirit, reminding me of the promise that His children don’t have to look forward to destruction that is yet to come by fire, but rather to the redemption that comes through our Saviour Jesus Christ. This promise came at a great cost to Him so we can be the free recipient of it.
Wow! Now my soul has no difficulty singing “How great Thou Art”.
Later as I was remembering that awesome evening I was also meditating on Eph. 1: 3-14
Verse 4 especially spoke to me..
`For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.```
..He chose me to be holy and blameless in his sight... while this is ultimately true in the fact that Jesus’ shed blood and righteousness puts us in that state before Him, yet He brings this truth to reality through trials and suffering in our life. I count it a privilege to be able to experience this work of God in my life. And while my share of suffering is minuscule compared to what Miriam and many saints, that I have seen and heard of, had to go through, this is suffering nevertheless. (Thank you for your steadfast prayer for me and my family. Being the weak man that I am, without grace I won’t be able to bear it at all)
But to my surprise I have an appreciation and even a welcome of my Heavenly Father’s refining fire, knowing that this is the intimate, tangible part of his promise and of His Love.
But to my surprise I have an appreciation and even a welcome of my Heavenly Father’s refining fire, knowing that this is the intimate, tangible part of his promise and of His Love.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1: 2-4
1. 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.
Refrain:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of Christ my Savior; standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God
2. 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.
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to him eternally by love's strong cord, overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword, standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit's call, resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God.
