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THE PROMISES OF GOD

THE PROMISES OF GOD

"All the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God." 2 Cor. 1:20

When I read the Scriptures, almost every page presents to my heart most precious promises, adapted to console and strengthen the mind under every trouble. But an important question arises: To whom do these promises belong? Has every one, who calls himself a Christian, a right to the comfort of them? Have I a right to appropriate them to myself? Lord enable me to deal faithfully with my own soul, lest I be deceived in one of the greatest of all concerns- for what can be compared with Eternal Salvation?

The Scriptures expressly declare, that all the promises of God, ALL, none excepted, in Christ are yes, and in him Amen. As in Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so, in him, all the promises of God meet and unite as their proper center. To have a legitimate interest in these promises, I must have a saving interest in the merits of Christ. But here another question naturally arises, a question of vast importance to the peace and comfort of my soul. How can I tell, whether I have a saving interest in the merits of my Redeemer, and so have a scriptural right to the enjoyment of the privileges and promises of the Gospel?

The Bible gives me clear information on this point also. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." "If any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him." From hence I learn, that if I am without the Spirit of Christ, I am in a state of condemnation, and consequently can have no claim to the consolatory promises of the Gospel. As many, and no more, as are led by the Spirit of God to the foot of the Cross, are the sons of God. And those only who have the Spirit of Christ, and therefore are in Christ, are heirs of glory.

But, if any man is in Christ, he is a New Creature; born from above; renewed in the spirit of his mind; made a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is the character of the redeemed as portrayed in the word of God; they are washed from their sins in the blood of Christ; justified by his righteousness, sanctified by his Spirit; a mansion of glory is prepared for them; they are the loved by the Father, and to them belong all the promises of grace and mercy clustering on the Tree of Life.

Now, Oh! my soul, as in the presence of the Judge of the living and dead, before whose tribunal you must shortly appear, bring all your inmost thoughts to the touchstone of his word. See how far your inward state approaches towards this exalted standard; whether you bear the infallible marks which designate his chosen people. Alas! how many deceive themselves by false marks, and by an unscriptural standard, calling evil, good; and good, evil; putting darkness, for light; and light, for darkness. Lord make me sincere and faithful to you. The heart, I well know, by painful experience, is deceitful above all things. Pride, that old leaven of my fallen nature, is ever ready to interrupt these searchings of heart, by whispering, "all is well;" and making a merit of those actions, which, if brought to the test of truth, would overwhelm me with confusion.

Blessed Savior! I desire to be yours; to follow you with a single eye, and in simplicity of spirit; to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, from the power of sin, from unholy imaginations. Cause me to abound in every grace, that you may be glorified; that I may be fitted to hold sweet converse with you in solitude, apart from the noise and follies of the world. In the days of your flesh, you set your disciples a bright example of holding communion with your Father. In your word I read how you went into a solitary place, and there prayed; how you withdrew into the wilderness, and prayed; how you continued all night in prayer, separate from your disciples, on the lonely mountain. May I love retirement with You; then I shall be able to say, I am not alone, for you are with me. O manifest yourself to me at such seasons as you do not unto the world. Enable me to pluck the grapes of Eshcol, the sweet fruits of the promised land, the precious pledges of those richer fruits which grow in the paradise above. May I feel your love, though I cannot find words to express its sweetness; yes, may I feel it flowing into my soul in daily increasing streams, until all sin is borne away, by the force of this resistless torrent.

How glorious are your promises, they are yes and Amen; they are like yourself, immutable. When the enemy comes in like a flood, and suggests that I am not the Lord's; oh! in mercy lift up a standard against him. Let your Spirit bring to my troubled mind some peace-restoring promise, to confirm my faith, to confound my foes, to strengthen my heart by his heavenly consolations. In sorrow, in sickness, and in death may I trust in your faithfulness, repose on your promises, and triumph through your grace. Under every trial, like David, may I encourage myself in the Lord my God, and like him, be enabled to say- "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." Thus, upheld by your powerful arm, I shall pass over Jordan in peace; reach that happy shore, where angels will welcome my entrance into bliss; and where I shall enjoy the blessed fulfillment of your promise: "Where I am, there shall also my servant be."

The promises of God have a transforming efficacy through the power of the Holy Spirit; for "unto us," writes Peter, "are given exceeding great and precious promises, that by them we should be partakers of the divine nature." How wonderful! worms of the earth, sinful dust and ashes, to be made partakers of the divine nature! Well may angels desire to look into these things. Man, fallen man, who lost the image of God, can now, through the Gospel of Christ, through the promises of his grace, be restored to the divine likeness. The Apostle might well call them exceeding great and precious promises; precious, beyond all price; exceeding great, beyond all calculation.

Like Peter, his "beloved brother Paul," extolled the promises of God, not only as yes and Amen in Christ Jesus, but as purifying the hearts of believers through faith. "And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God."

The promises of God, when rightly embraced, never fail to quicken the speed of believers in their heavenly course. They then can run with patience the race that is set before them, looking into Jesus, while animated by the promises of his love. They are no longer slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises; treading in the footsteps of the flock, until they reach the heavenly fold. Oh! who can grasp this one thought- "inherit the promises;" yes, all the promises of life and salvation, of grace and glory, which are made to man, from Adam in Paradise, to the closing of the canon of Scripture by John? Every thing that is sublime, glorious, blissful, and holy is contained in the promises of God in Christ. To inherit the promises, is to inherit all things; all that Christ has promised out of his fullness; and all that his people are capable of enjoying, when perfected in glory. Why, then, do we grovel like worms of the earth, when we should be mounting with wings as eagles- yes, soaring, as on seraph's wings, towards the realms of light?

"My soul cleaves unto the dust, quicken me, O Lord, according to your word." Put your fear into my heart that I may not depart from you. Your ancient people, through unbelief, died in the wilderness; therefore, writes Paul to the Hebrew Christians, "Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left to us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." May this warning of your Apostle awaken my solicitude, and lead me to You for faith, to persevere under every discouragement; for hope, to animate my soul amid every conflict; for love, to urge me forwards with unceasing energy, through every opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Blessed Jesus! yourself the promised gift, and the Promiser of eternal blessings, give me Yourself, and then, with you, I shall inherit all things.

Sweet is the promise of your grace,
So freely made to me;
When shall I end my earthly course,
And dwell, dear Lord, with thee?
Firm as a rock your promise stands;
Your Truth and Love endure;
Oh! may I love your bless'd commands,
And make my calling sure.
The precept and the promise, Lord,
You have so fitly joined,
That in the volume of your grace,
They ever are combined.
Without the promise- all is dark;
Without the precept, vain!
Your wisdom, by their union, gives
Your people's richest gain.
O! may I love your precepts more,
Your promise more enjoy,
'Til I shall reach the world of bliss,
Secure from sin's alloy.
There will the riches of your grace,
Be like a boundless sea;
The Promise, and the Promiser,
My Portion ever be.