Promises

By Ruth Bell Graham (More Letters from Ruth’s Attic, 2011)

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Among the most reassuring promises of Scriptures are the I-am-with-you promises. They begin in Genesis where God says to Isaac, “Fear not, for I am with thee” (Genesis 26:24, KJV). They reach a glorious climax in Matthew 1:23, “And they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (KJV).

Once again at the close of Matthew, as the risen Lord prepares to return to Heaven, He leaves His disciples with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20, KJV).

Our lives will be even happier as we bear in mind the words of the writer to the Hebrews, “Let your conversations be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5, KJV). Having so great a Gift places all lesser gifts in proper perspective.

And all of time is marching toward that glorious fulfillment when, as He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3, KJV).

He with us here – we with Him there. Emmanuel!

Prayer for the Day
Jesus, You promised to be with me always. I claim that promise for today, and I ask You to help me be content. I look forward to the glorious day when all Your promises are completely fulfilled.

The Promises of God

By Billy Graham (Daily Devotion, April 22, 2014)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” (Philippians 4:6, TLB)

Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety.” Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us. When we make anything else our goal, frustration and defeat are inevitable. Though we have less to worry about than previous generations, we have more worry. Though we have it easier than our forefathers, we have more uneasiness. Though we have less real cause for anxiety than our predecessors, we are inwardly more anxious. Calloused hands were the badge of the pioneer, but a furrowed brow is the insignia of modern man.

God has never promised to remove all our troubles, problems, and difficulties. In fact, sometimes I think the truly committed Christian is in conflict with the society around him more than any other person. Society is going in one direction, and the Christian is going in the opposite direction. This brings about friction and conflict. But God has promised, in the midst of trouble and conflict, a genuine peace, a sense of assurance and security, that the worldly person never knows.

Prayer for the day
Lord Jesus, teach me to keep my eyes centered on You rather than on myself and my anxieties. Help me to allow You to give me peace of heart and mind today.