Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:22
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:5
For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. Psalm 71:5 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. Psalm 71:14
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Psalm 119:114
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Psalm 119:116
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. Psalm 130:5
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 147:11
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverb 13:12
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 (KJV)
Standing on the Promises
Verse One: Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Thro’ eternal ages let his praises ring; Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1 (KJV)
Chorus: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of Christ my Saviour; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Verse Two: 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.
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. Jeremiah 1:19 (KJV)
Verse Three: Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, I’m standing on the promises of God.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36 (KJV)
Verse Four: Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Roman 8:37 (KJV)
Verse Five: Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Saviour, as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
Standing on the Promises by Russell Kelso Carter Public Domain
Howling Storms
When I took a break from blogging, I had big plans to finish several projects. What I didn’t plan was a summer of storms that left me spiritually, mentally, and physically exhausted.
In the middle of howling winds were ongoing outside problems, a bruised rib, and a suspicious mole at the base of my neck. I made an appointment to have the mole removed, knowing what they’d say. “Let’s take a sample and go from there.”
Later that week, I talked silently with the Lord about my appointment. “I wished the thing would fall off so I didn’t have to deal with any of this.”
Honestly, I’d had it up to my back teeth. (Ever been there?) I’d lost my patience and was mentally on the floor whining in defeat over the outside problems.
Now, this firstborn tomboy learned a long time ago whining doesn’t get you anywhere. Especially when it comes to spiritual warfare. So I trudged on oblivious to the real problem.
Stand on Your Feet
When I thought about posting an article, I opted for an inspirational meme because I had no words. Although I was doing the right things, I felt like a hypocrite. Who was I to encourage another when I was in a mess? But I knew I had to upload that poster!
The morning the Rejoice post went live, Patricia Bettis commented. “Rejoice, Gail! Beautiful flowers!” (Thank you, Patricia.)
When I read it, I read it as a command. Not from Patricia, but from our Commander. Something suddenly shifted in me, and I realized I had lost the zeal to fight. Although I quoted scripture and sang hymns, I was on my face, not my feet.
“The psalms, and hymns, and songs were to be sung so that the heart should be engaged, and not so as to be mere music, or a mere external performance.” Albert Barnes
Fact: Without the heart’s engagement, our spirits grow weary of battle.
Once my heart re-engaged, my strength and joy returned. And guess what? The mole fell off a few days later. The area is smooth and clear as a baby’s complexion. Praise the Lord!
The other problems are in the Lord’s hands, and I’m standing on his promises.
So, my friend, if you have problems that only the Lord can solve, if you have more than you can bear, let me encourage you to stand on His promises and sing your heart out!
Gail Johnson 