Raise!Sample

Promise raised promise kept.

‘After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him…

From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised’ (Acts 13:22-23 NIV)

When I was a young girl, I raised my hand and recited a familiar Brownie promise weekly. I realised at some point in my youthful journey that I was saying the promise incorrectly. I kept reciting that I would ‘do my duty to guard the Queen and my country’, when really it was ‘do my duty to God, the Queen and my country’. ‘Guarding the Queen’ was a promise I could never understand or keep!

God does not need to raise his hand to make a promise. In 2 Chronicles 6:14-15 we read, ‘Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you…with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it’. Easter reminds us of one of the greatest promises ever spoken and kept by God. He sent his Son, our Saviour. A promise made and a promise kept! ‘God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised’ (Acts 13:23)

We sing in the chorus of song 893 from The Song Book of The Salvation Army, ‘All the promises of God are sure’, and read in Psalm 145:13, ‘The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.’

Paul, who at one point rejected and opposed Christ, was radically converted and received the Spirit of Christ. He proclaimed, ‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ’ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

During a difficult season of life, we incredibly drove through the end of a rainbow, the colours mysteriously swirling around the car. Gentle tears came. The rainbow reminded me of God’s mighty living presence and uncompromised, covenant promises, affirmed in Christ. If he can promise and orchestrate life beyond the grave, he will not fall short in keeping his promises to us, his people.

Is there a promise of God that you need to hold on to today?