The Promises of God

Psalms 32:8. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go : I will guide thee with mine eye.”

There is consolation in the reali­zation that, if we are willing, God will instruct us in the way that we should go. But even He cannot do this unless we fully surrender our wills to Him, and how difficult this is for the majority of us to do ! So often we are determined to follow our own inclinations until, finally, we come up against a wall where we must pause, because there is no way over or around it. When, at the end of our re­sources, we plead for God’s mercy, instantly He reaches out His sup­porting hand. When He guides us with His eye, we then know that the path we are taking is the right one.

Oh, let me trust God as a child,
And give my life to Him,
And follow in my youthful days
Before my eyes are dim.

But even if my years are few,
Let me walk close to Thee,
And, Lord forgive the barren years
And come and dwell with me.

Psalms 31 :24. “Be of good cour­age, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

The people of this world hope for riches, honor and long life. But, even if every reward the earth has to offer could be rolled into one, the hope of the Christian tran­scends them all.

Fame is capricious and may van­ish over night, and riches that have been accumulated through years of toil and sacrifice have often been suddenly lost. In the midst of life there is death, that ever haunting specter with its reminder that “man is only grass.” In a moment he may snatch the pride of the family, and without God, there is no solace for those remaining. The man crowned with laurels today may tomorrow be ruthlessly stricken in his prime, even as life is beckoning to still fairer fields.

But nothing and no-one can take away the peace and hope of God’s children. Even in their sor­row there is gladness, for they look forward to an eternal abiding place which Christ told His disciples He would prepare for them. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath pre pared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9)

A hope that whispers at night fall,
“Lift up your heads and see
Faint gleams through clouds of the portal
Of that which is to be.

“Have courage, the time is com­ing
When clamorous voices cease,
And the dawning of God’s morn­ing
Shall bring sweet rest and peace.”

Psalms 27:1. “The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be afraid ?”

The Lord is my Light. No matter how dark earth’s night of sin, sorrow and death may become, my life is illuminated by His Word, and light streams forth on my daily path.

He is my Salvation. I have been redeemed by the blood of my Savior, and have been given renewed existence in His love and divine protection. And some day I shall, if I am faithful, know His greater salvation which will be for all the glorious ages to come.

Since He is the strength of my life, no weakness need overcome me, for He has promised to bear me up, whatever trials may overtake me. “My grace is sufficient for thee : for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12 :9) .

God is all these things only to those who have absolute faith in Him, and come to Him in prayer. This fact cannot be stressed too often. But He is available day and night to those who believe in Him, and His ear is always open to their faintest cry.

God is my Strength, my Light, what then
Is there for me to fear?
He fills the dusky night with stars,
The shadows disappear.

Though whirlwinds fill the ravished land,
Secure within His love,
The tumult cannot dim my hope,
I lift my eyes above.

Psalms 18:2. “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of salvation, and my high tower.”

A rock, fortress or high tower were means of safety for our ancestors in time of war.

The Lord is our “rock and fortress.” Psalms 71 :3. He delivers us from the “darts” of our enemy (evil) if we remain in the citadel or stronghold of His protective care.

The Lord is our “buckler.” Ar­mor, including a buckler or shield, was worn in Bible times in battle. Our shield is the “shield of faith” which we must never set aside.

The “horn” typifies strength, pride and glory. God will give us power in our contest with sin and weakness, but our pride and glory must be in Him, and never in ourselves.

Oh, may I dwell in God’s high tower
That overlooks the plain Where
warring nations fight for power
And leave their bloody stain.

And may my shield of faith keep me
From evil’s wily darts
Until at last the hosts of sin
Is conquered and departs.

All claims to pride and self-esteem
I ever will disown,
For glory, power and righteousness
Belong to God alone.