Standing on the Promises

There is an old church hymn on the theme of what God has promised which we sing often in our church. The hymn is “Standing on the Promises.”  It has a martial beat to it that might be reminiscent of an infantry brigade marching across a field. The militaristic flavor may well be because Kelso Carter, who wrote both the words and the music to this hymn, was a teacher at a military academy at the time he composed the tune.

If the life of faith is like a journey, then there are times when we march proudly along. There are also times when we dance or run or walk slowly with heavy hearts. Our hymns and our praise songs help us express our hearts wherever we happen to be along the way.

Wherever you are, may the promises of God be a place to find solid footing – especially when crossing treacherous terrain. May they be like an unseen presence in which you experience the love of God.

In the second verse of that old hymn, we sing, “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.”

Let us pray: Loving God, you have promised never to leave us or forsake us. You have promised that when we cry out to you, you will hear. Help us to trust you, and to rest in your grace; through Jesus Christ. Amen.