Dear Ones:
Often we are so concerned about our commitment to God, that we forget what is involved in God’s commitment to us. We have all probably heard the old hymn, “Standing On The Promises of God.” And this is what we must do, for this is trust, when we take our stand to believe God according to the promise. David wrote, “When I am afraid, I WILL trust in Thee.” What is the basis for this trust? It is the declared promises of God directed at us. But what is IN those promises? What is His intent, and the specific content of those promises? To grasp the true meaning of the promise, and also its scope, enables us to specifically believe God for the out-working of His will in our lives. It is one thing to read and memorize a promise. It is quite another to see something of the enormity of its application to our lives, and trust Him for its realization.
Perhaps one of the greatest examples of the matter concerning the extent of His promises is seen in the book of Zechariah. Israel had been in exile. And the picture we have here is a vision that Zechariah had concerning what God intended to do, and this by giving to Israel through the prophesying of Zechariah, several extraordinary promises. The new beginning for Israel will begin with, “…good words and comforting words.” (1:13) Then the Lord would tell Zechariah to “CRY,” “…I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy…I am returned to Jerusalem…My house shall be built in it…the Lord shall yet comfort Zion.” (Zech. 1:14-17) In this case He promises prosperity so that this can be so. He goes on to say, “I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” (2:5) What do we see here that is so very important? We see the commitment of the eternal God in Christ, all that He is, to the believer. There is intensity in that commitment. And in that commitment, there is provision declared, protection promised, and the expectation that He, Himself will dwell in the midst, “…dwell in the heart by faith.” (Eph. 3:17) In this passage in Ephesians, He declares His intent to be: “…that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” This is blessing indeed.
So today, let us look heavenward at the intense, intent of God toward us. It is an INTENT that envelops all that we are and have, and this, in order to bless. And let us grasp the CONTENT of the promises with regard to specific need, in our hearts, and also in the hearts of others. For this we are here to pray, and to believe. This is “standing on the promises…”
Love, Dad