July 1

Trusting God's Promises 

  

      Someone recently called to talk with me about his concerns over an upcoming serious surgery.  His impending procedure felt ominous and slightly overwhelming.  Though he was assured that all would be well and that he was in good hands, he did not feel very confident at the moment. 

      Difficult news often comes to us unexpectedly. Most of the time we go along managing to keep such thoughts out of our minds as much as possible.  So when we receive a tough diagnosis, even though we have strong faith, it can throw us off balance for a while. 

     One response is to find ourselves confronted with the reality of our own mortality.  We are reminded that nothing in life is guaranteed and that one day, we will eventually die.  Though no one knows when, we know that we are not going to live on in this body forever.  We are reminded that we are vulnerable, not finally in control of our lives, and limited in what we can and cannot do.  

    We also realize that we are dependent on One who is greater than we are.   For while life does not hold a guarantee, nothing is bigger than God.  God’s promises are sure and dependable.  Difficult news can motivate us to dig deeper into our faith by recalling God’s promises.  Here are some of those promises: 

1.  We are never alone.  No matter where we go or what happens to us around us or in us, God is with us.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me.”

2.  Faith is trust in what we do not see yet know to be true.  God’s grace through faith is sure.  “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

3.  Love is the truest truth about the reality of God.  Through it all, all comes down to love.  Let yourself be held in love. “Love is greater than fear.”  “Love never fails.” 

    God is closer to us than we are to each other - even than we are to ourselves.  God knows everything about us, knows our needs, and desires the best for us.  So place your hope in God - your help and your strength.  And may you find that the depths of God’s love, help, and comfort go deeper than you even imagined.