St Mark

Church of Christ
Disciples of Christ

The Deacons Bench

Standing on the Promises

 

Have you been tried with the temptation to rely upon the things which are seen, instead or resting alone upon the invisible hand of God. 

 

We, sisters and brothers, often look to one another for help and counsel, and fail to rely upon our Heavenly Father.  As children of God, anxious about our daily needs and desires, we should study and learn the Word of God.

 

We lean to our own peculiar understanding and when things go awry, we question why.  Clearly the Word of God tells us in Proverbs 3:5 to "trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding." The prescription for our success is written in God's Word.  "He has given us His very great and precious promises..." 2nd Peter 1:4.  He has said "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."  You should trust in Jesus and only in Jesus for your salvation.  Why are you troubled? 

 

It is written, "Cast your burdens upon the Lord".  "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make known your wants unto God."  Do you trust God for things of the world?  I wish you would.   If you cannot trust God for worldly things, how do you trust him for spiritual things?   Can you trust him for your soul's redemption, and not rely on him for a few lesser mercies?  Is God not enough for your needs, or is his all-sufficiency too narrow for your wants?  Do you want another eye beside that of him who sees every secret thing?  Is His heart faint?  Is His arm weary?  If so, seek another god; but if He is infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why do you look and seek another confidence?  Why do you look the world over to find another foundation, when God is the solid foundation.  God is strong enough to bear all the weight which you can ever build upon?

 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, do not mix your cola with water, do not alloy the gold of your faith with the impurity of human confidence.  Wait only upon God, and let your expectation be of Him.  Let God be your lead, guide, and director.  Let the sandy foundation of earthly trust be the choice of fools, but, you do like one who understands that storms will come, build your abiding place upon the solid foundation, the Rock of Ages.

 

Here are a few of the promises of God.  Look them up and be encouraged:

 

Joshua 1:8                     1  John 4:4               

Jeremiah 29:1                1 John 12:46            

John1:12                        John 14:27         

Luke 6:38                       Proverbs 46:1          

Psalms 46:1                    Psalms 32:8             

1 Corinthians 2:9            Matthew 11:28-29

Isaiah 40 29-31               Philippians 4:19       

Romans 8:37-39

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