Promises

In with the new year, and decade. A traditional time for resolutions, or promises. This is from Kit Pharo at Kit@PharoCattle.com who sends a weekly email. There's more to it but these are the words from a hymn that I grew up signing and I can still picture Tallin Church. My mental picture always comes from the left side of the aisle and some key people who were actually very good singers, are part of my mental picture. If the picture comes from recent years, then Gene is at the helm with story, scripture, and song weaving the message of faith to 50 or so of us midwest farmer/ranchers. Here's the song, Standing on the Promises: (note the verbs)

Verse 1:
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.

Chorus (sung after each verse):
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Verse 2:
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.

Verse 3:
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.

Verse 4:

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.

And scripture at the bottom by Kit:

…he (God) has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them we may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4

So through the promises (standing, overcoming, listening, resting) I can participate in the divine nature (Christ in me, me in Christ) and escape the dysfunctional stories that surround me. Sounds like a great way to start the year!