A promise has
the power to motivate us. It keeps us going when it would be easy to
quit. A promise lets us see beyond the grueling tasks to the reward
that is ahead of us. The only problem with this theory is that not
all promises are honored. We can all state examples of when promises
were broken. Our spirits were lifted, but our heart was broken. Any
promise that has worth is written down. A written promise then
becomes a contract. If I look inside the Bible I can see many
promises for us. I would like to look at three powerful promises
written in Scripture.
The first powerful
promise is Comfort.
Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter
5:7 (NIV)
Jesus will be with you.
Standing there with an invisible hand on your shoulder during your
darkest days. He is a good friend that will help you to stand. All
of us need help. There are tasks that are too overwhelming and
difficult
to accomplish. We feel the chill from the thousands of problems that
creep into our lives and steal our joy. We all want to feel safe and
warm. We want that feeling of home where the woodstove is pumping out
heat and we are snuggled under a warm fuzzy blanket. Outside a
snowstorm is raging but we are comfortable. That is just like Christ,
He will comfort you during every storm in your life.
We all want to be defended.
I remember an argument between two young boys. A large boy pushed the
younger, weaker boy. The young child fell to the ground, but quickly
stood up. He waved his little finger in the bully's face and said,
"If you want to pick on me you must deal with my older brother." If
society wants to pick on you it has to deal with Jesus. He loves you
so much that he died so you could be free.
All
of your burdens and hardships, He wants to carry.
We have carried our
own load for too long. Our own results have been nothing but
failures. Let all your worries, fears and stresses go. We can't
change the past, present or future. But we talk to the one that
created the entire universe and leave our problems with Him. I
remember a song from Sunday School it goes like this: "He's got the
whole world in His hands." Remember that when life seems hard and
dreadfully long, that you are His favourite creation.
Second powerful promise
is Strength.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for
all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8
(NIV)
We all need to hear
encouraging words. Sometimes it feels like we are walking the
Christian faith all alone. There is no one else on this road we
travel on. Walking many miles alone can be very discouraging. When
you read God's Word or pray we can hear the voice of the
Almighty. He is
whispering in your ear. Lean closer and hear the words the Master is
saying "I believe in you." Wow! Somehow we can find the motivation
to continue walking the road of righteousness. We know that our
journey is not in vain.
To accomplish goals
makes us feel great. An athlete wakes up early every morning to start
his rigorous schedule. It involves various activities such as:
running, stretches and weights. The body begins to groan from the
intense workout. All the muscles are strengthened because of the
daily routine of the athlete. He set goals and exceeded them. We
must do the same. We must constantly look to Christ for answers to
life's questions. Seek His Word and be in constant prayer. Our
spiritual life will become stronger and Christ will become closer
to us.
Nothing comes
easy...it requires hard work. The daily disciplines of scripture
reading and prayer give us great insights into our present
and future. We can know without question that God will equip us for
whatever happens in life. He will give us that extra burst of power
when we need it the most. Your relationship with Christ will become
strengthened. When bad times come you know that Christ is with you.
Third powerful promise
is the Holy Spirit.