Promises

Last week we read the first verse of Natalie Sleeth’s Hymn of Promise. The second verse gives us a path from dark times to light. The second verse seems appropriate in today's times. 

00509 Promise 

"There is a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me;
From the past will come the future;
what it holds a mystery,
unrevealed until its season.
something God alone can see."
(Hymn Of Promise Verse 2
Words and music, Natalie Sleeth 1986) 

        A recently retired pastor listed this as one of his favorite hymns. It is easy to see why. We put our lives in God's hands, he knows and loves us, and we know that through our faith we have a future. This verse talks about times when life is too quiet- when we need to talk. It mentions the dark times and assures that there will be light and better times; also, the past, which we are not always proud of, will become a bright future through Him. It points out that we do not know or predict what He has in store for us.

 

A case in point is a good friend called me in prayer. He has worked for a company for 18 years and was undergoing the job stress that is typical in today's world. We met this week and he was now OK. Management, led by a Christian friend, solved his problems. They met with him to discuss his future with them, told him that they valued him as an employee and wanted to be sure he was comfortable. His stress was because he misread the situation.

 

He commented that in 18 years, it was the first time that anyone in management told him he was wanted and that they wanted him to be happy. What a concept for a company today. Ask yourself if God was at work here.

 

 Thought for Today: Some days are brighter than others. The symbol of a gray or bright day is an easy one to relate to. Our lives are like that. Through our faith, we understand that there will be brighter days following the dark ones. This week let us focus on the bright times.

 

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, throughout the world there are many dark areas. The Middle East is in turmoil over social and religious differences. There is COVID, hate, and poverty. There are century-old tribal wars on the European peninsula. Today, we pray for the understanding that you are with us through dark

 times and that we can appreciate the light at the end of the tunnel.
Amen