Living By Faith Blog

Standing on the promises

That’s a phrase from a hymn I sang while growing up — and it’s a perfect description of living by faith.

So how can I start my day standing on the promises?

Feeling pretty good

This morning I prayed for God to meet me in the Word, and then spent time in Romans 5.

I was feeling good — with a great day before me and no major problems.

But feeling good does not mean I’m standing on God’s promises.

Feeling good might mean I’m just standing on circumstances.

So what was I standing on?

God showed me

I had moved into prayer — beginning with worship.

But I noticed that my worship was sputtering.  I was saying things I wasn’t feeling.

And it struck me that although I was feeling good — it was not about God.

And God showed me — I was standing on circumstances, not on His promises.

But only God’s promises are ROCK.  Circumstances are SHIFTING SAND.

Something had to be done.

So I switched gears and started praying over some promises —

For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. (Isa 64:4)

I pondered how there is no other God like the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

That God acts in behalf of people — that He will do things for me as I wait on Him.

So throughout my day God is going to be working on my behalf — helping me, guiding me, strengthening me, satisfying me.

I’m leaning away from my circumstances …

The life that I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Gal 2:20).

I thought about how Jesus loved me — and died on the Cross for me.

I saw that Jesus’ love is perfect, pure, flawless.

And that all day today He will love and care for me.

I’m leaning toward God’s promises.

In Your presence is fulness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  (Psa 16:11)

I saw once again that God is my all-satisfying Treasure.

I saw that while pleasant circumstances are good — they are not-all satisfying.

Which means that all day long — no matter what happens — I have His infinite joy available to me.

I’ve got one foot on God’s promises.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always, having all sufficiency, in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.  (2Cor 9:8)

God promises to give me all the grace I need for whatever He calls me to do.

Whether it’s writing a blog post, managing finances, having meetings, making decisions — I will have more than enough grace for every task.

I’ve got both feet on God’s promises.

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, and His compassions never fail, they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23)

I’m sure I’ll face trials today.  But trials don’t mean God stopped loving me.  Trials are part of God’s love for me.

Trials are sent by God’s loving hand as a way to bring me even more of Himself.

Plus — He’ll give me all the wisdom, strength, and grace I need to be more than a conqueror through that trial.

I’m standing on God’s promises.

That’s better

Rock is better than shifting sand.

Sand shifts — circumstances change, problems arise, disappointments come.

But God’s promises never shift.  They are always ROCK.

So from now on I’m going to make sure I start every day —

Standing on the promises.

Thoughts?  Feedback?  Comments?

I’d love to hear.  Leave a reply below — thanks!

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And here are some related posts you might find helpful —

• What Are the Promises of God?
• How God's Promises Can Transform You
• A Promise For Those Disappointed By God
• Can God's Promises Distract Us From God?

(Picture is from everystockphoto by CathyK.)