Post #15 -- Standing on the Promises

I was recently impressed by the psalmist’s response to God in Psalm 119:50 — “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (NIV)  David obviously discovered something therapeutic from God’s promises!  This immediately begs the question for me: what are the specific promises on which I personally firmly stand and can I experience that same sustaining power? 

Through the years, I’ve “claimed” many promises for life and ministry.  I thought it might be helpful (for me at least) to put on paper the promises that currently provide stability and power along my present  medical journey  — and that indeed “preserve my life”.

WHAT IS A PROMISE FROM GOD? 

But first, just what is a “promise from God”?  The dictionary says a promise is a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.

In Scripture, the promise of God is the declaration or assurance which God has given in his Word that He will bestow certain blessings on His people.  Such assurances rest on the perfect justice, power, benevolence, and immutable integrity of God, and cannot fail.  I love Joshua’s observation — “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45, NLT)

PROMISES THAT “PRESERVE MY LIFE” 

As I ponder the challenge of Psalm 119:50, here are a few key verses that come to mind that help to “preserve my life.”

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”  (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)

“Even in old age they [the righteous] will still bear fruit; they will remain vital and green.” (Psalm 92:14, NLT)

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:20, NIV)

“Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:30, Msg)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1, NIV)

“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me.  I will protect those who trust in my name.  When they call on me, I will answer.  I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.  I will reward them with long life and give them my salvation.’” (Psalm 91: 14-16, NLT)

THESE PROMISES ARE REAL 

Sharing a bit from my “private” medical IPF journal, dated December 9, 2021, might help to demonstrate the integral role of these promises in this journey.  I need to say here that these IPF journal comments were not made for anyone but myself and are rather brutally candid — it’s my way of processing stuff important to me.  But I’m sharing it here with you as it might help you understand me a bit better as we journey together.  For example, you’ll see some of my emotions last year as I was beginning to think about this concept of thriving on this journey and how God’s promises helped me go forward.

I’m spending a “Day Alone with God” at the River House today.  Spent several hours in the Word: Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew. Then listened to numerous songs included in the CaringBridge.  What a blessing these songs have been!  I value the Word, but I confess I feel closest to Jesus when listening to these songs.  For example, Casting Crown’s “Thrive” has been so uplifting — “We were made for more than ordinary times, we were made to thrive.  Fill our hearts and fill our souls with one desire just to know you and  to make you known.  We were made to thrive.”

For a long time now I’ve been praying for the ability to move from surviving to thriving.  Is it happening?  Sometimes I wonder.  I seem to now have so many physical struggles: ear problem, eye problem, neck/shoulder pain and forgetfulness — in addition to this ever-present labored breathing.  I admit much of my focus is on surviving.  Yet I think I can still thrive.  Some day in heaven I will really thrive!  I’m looking forward to that.  But in the meantime here on earth I want to thrive as much as possible —  for others’ sake, especially for Marilyn.  She asked me this morning if I’m depressed.  I responded, “I don’t think so”.  But then maybe I am “down” more than I want to admit.  But I do know one thing: it was high-time for a “tune-up” via my “Day Alone with God” today.

Key to this journey are the promises from God I’ve memorized.  They keep me going: 2 Cor 4:16-18; Ps 119:50; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Phil 4:13; Phil 4:8; Ps 92:14; and Prov 3:5-6  Thank you God for these promises!  2 Cor 4:16-17 certainly rings true — I am wasting away on the outside, but praise God, I’m being renewed daily on the inside.  Thank you Jesus!

A FIRM FOUNDATION  

I think we all have a need for a solid foundation on which to stand or some healthy individual to cling to when times are difficult.  Critics have derisively accused Christians of using Jesus as a  “crutch”.  I’m walking with walking-sticks these days and have a great appreciation for the fact that they indeed add value to my ability to enjoy some mobility.  Yes, my faith in Jesus helps me to walk this spiritual pathway with greater ease and comfort, and I don’t mind at all someone calling Jesus my “crutch”.  I am deeply grateful for that “crutch”!

HOW STANDING ON THE PROMISES HELPS ME THRIVE 

The promises He provides give us a strong foundation on which to stand and something dependable to cling to.  Without these promises we’d be building a house on the sand which, when the winds come, rapidly gets blown away (Matthew 7:24-27).  I’m determined not to let that happen.

Memorizing these promises and meditating on them give me what I need for the moment.  For example, 

• If I’m plagued with a bout of loneliness, Matthew 28:20 assures me that He will never leave me or forsake me.  
• If I’m struggling under some heavy burden, Matthew 11:30 quickly comforts me with the promise that as I keep company with Him, I’ll learn to live freely and lightly.  
• If I’m running out of steam and find it difficult to keep going, 2 Peter 1:3 reminds me that I already have everything I need for this journey and that He will help me through this struggle. 
• When I’m down in the chops and feeling rather worthless, Psalm 92:14 reminds me [as I follow Him] that I’ll remain fruitful, vital, and green.  
• When my age tempts me to think I’m finished and can not go another step, Isaiah 46:4 shouts His promise that if needed He will carry me.  
• When I’m sinking into some unexplainable funk, Psalm 91:14-16 assures me He’ll rescue me.  
• Or when I’m about to completely lose heart and give up, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 encourages me to keep going.  

Just as the psalmist David found comfort in the midst of his suffering by meditating on the promises from God, I too find great comfort in meditating on and repeating these verses back to God through the day!

PROMISES AND PRINCIPLES

I feel that one quick note of caution might be in order.  We need to be careful not to “claim” someone else’s promise.  Some promises in Scripture are indeed promises but are intended for only a special group of people at a certain time in history.  For example, we sometimes claim Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Yet a quick read of the context reveals that this was a promise given to the Jews taken into exile in Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem in 586 B.C.  It is important we study the context of the verse in question.  And when that context reveals that the promise is given to us, we can indeed “claim” that as a promise from God and enjoy the resultant blessings.  But to claim that God has promised me the blessings of Jeremiah 29:11 would be inappropriate.  None-the-less, seeing Jeremiah as a powerful principle in God’s Word, we can (and should) enjoy trusting God for a bright future and a hope. 

AND BY FAITH WE PRESS ON

To me the power behind the promises from God is awesome.  When the chips are down. I can humbly remind God “but, you promised”!  The promise becomes a powerful platform I can stand on or a handle I can cling to when nothing else make sense.

And by faith in the character of God and His promises to me, I press on and experience a new ability to thrive in the midst of chaos and confusion!