Standing on the Promises (from the archives)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful… Hebrews 10:23

So often in our lives we stand on our own – instead of confidently standing on the promises of God! There is so much in His word that He has promised – and we can be assured that He makes good on His promises. As Paul says in II Cor. 1:20

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

All God’s promises are true, and as this hymnwriter so aptly says, they are promises that cannot fail; by the living Word of God we shall prevail! There is certainly not enough room in this post to go back through the scriptures and point out all the promises that God made and kept for His people. I would encourage you to read through Genesis, just the beginning of the story! – and see for yourself – promises such as providing a child for Sarah in her old age, a nation for Abraham, Canaan (the promised land) for Israel, etc.

Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45

Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.
I Kings 8:56

Of course, the greatest promise of all was realized when God sent Jesus to earth to become sin on our behalf, to redeem our fallen race and secure our home in heaven. God gives us a glimpse of this promise in Genesis 3:15 when He tells Satan the consequences of His deception:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.

In many different passages in the Old Testament we see the promise of a Redeemer. Isaiah 9 foretells the birth and reign of our Prince of Peace and Isaiah 53 fortells His death for our transgressions. In Acts 13, Paul preaches a sermon demonstrating how God kept His promises to the Israelites in leading them to Canaan, and ultimately providing Jesus, the Savior.

From the descendants of this man [David], according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus (v. 23)… Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. (v 38-39)

This is what the hymnwriter is echoing in his words: perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; standing in the liberty where Christ makes free. Christ has set us free from sin, free from the law which could never make us perfect. Hallelujah! We can stand on that promise! And when we do, we cannot fall. As children of God, we are forever His. As Peter and John remind us, He has gone before us to prepare an eternal home for us – what a promise!

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.
I John 2:25

What promises are you standing on today? I hope you will choose to stand on God’s promises – promises that cannot fail, that stand the test of time, that will hold you up and bring you into fellowship with God.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. II Corinthians 7:1

Standing on the Promises
Words and Music by R. Kelso Carter

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

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.

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

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.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.