Devotional 5-11-09

Standing on His Promises


This week, as I was thinking about what to write and knowing that we were going to be looking at the promises of God. This song came back to mind that I sang a lot in church growing up. I have to say it has much more meaning to me now than it did then. I sang it because it was the song they picked for the day to sing not because I was truly standing on God’s promises. I sang it without meaning.


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.

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.
(Refrain)

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.
(Refrain)

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.
(Refrain)

I have to say that I am learning more each and every day about truly standing on the promises God gives us. There are many of them in His word. I am thankful for a Pastor and leaders of our church that have encouraged us to declare the promises in our lives. It is a daily declaration in one way or another. The enemy does not want any of us to serve the Lord and he will bring circumstances and temptations that can cause us to not look to God our Savior.

I have been faced with some things over the last few months that I cannot go into detail about. I can tell you God has been faithful in fulfilling His promises. Just declaring them when the days were tough brings new light and perspective to the circumstances. It brings strength and peace in the midst of the storms. I know in my own life fear has been a big issue. It has held me back at times. This is an area that the enemy knows and tries to bring back all the time. I have learned not to let fear come in because I know what God’s word says about it. There are many verses in the Bible about fear but my favorite one is Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."



Wow, there are many promises in that verse.

One of the definitions of promise is:

an express assurance on which expectation is to be based: promises that an enemy will not win.

Every promise has a foundation, even God’s promises. He is the foundation.
In a book I read recently the author stated “Every divine promise is built upon four pillars.”

God’s holiness, will not allow Him to deceive:

His goodness, will not allow Him to forget:

His truth, will not allow Him to change;

His power, will make Him able to accomplish!

Can you sing the song with meaning? If not I urge you to learn the promises of God and then begin to declare them in your life. It will set you free. Freedom from this world is what God wants for all of us.

It begins with “Are you willing to stand on His promises?” It begins with us doing our part.

- a willingness to follow God even though at times you stumble and fall (Philippians 3:14)
- a willingness to ask for forgiveness when you falter (John 1:9)
- a willingness to stay in the battle of becoming a man or a woman after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)

I believe the author of the song above had learned the meaning of standing on God’s promises. He learned that God’s promises cannot fail, God's word will prevail. In the last verse he refers to standing on God’s promises -“I cannot fall”. Why, because by standing in God’s promises we are resting in our Savior. I do sing this song now with meaning and praises to the one who gives me strength to stand.


Love in Christ,
Sandy Heberlein