Claiming on the Father’s Promises
Many incidents have shown and caused me to see that God indeed has a divine and perfect plan for each of us. Although sometimes we may think and ask why some things are happening, but in the end, we will realize that they are but bits and pieces of God’s plan. If we were to piece them up, we would be able to see a large and beautiful picture. That is how our Almighty God works.
God works on us, in us and through us as we experience trials in our lives. However, when faced with trials, many of our first response are to doubt God and questioned the reason behind what we are going through. Some of us would even blame God for what we are experiencing. We questioned God’s love, God’s wisdom and God’s power. In the midst of questioning, we actually failed to recognize His sovereignty and His nature. Having doubts cause us to forget God’s faithfulness.
The other approach we can use is to recognize His sovereignty in the midst of uncertainties. By recognizing that God is sovereign, we acknowledge that He is in control of the situation and He will make something beautiful at the end (though it may not seem so in the present). Other than recognizing His sovereignty, we can choose to look at His promises. As our God is a sovereign and faithful God, He will definitely fulfill His promises for us. However, we often failed to do so. Our fear blinded us from seeing God’s promises, not to say claiming on them.
God put me on a test last week. I had to sit for an examination on Friday. As I was preparing for my paper the night before, I started to get very anxious and worried. We are the first batch taking this module thus we did not know the type of questions that would be set. Furthermore, unlike the other modules, we were not told which parts to focus on. As I was studying through the night, I started to be more anxious.
As I continued with my preparation, I saw a piece of paper among the piles of notes on my table. I took it out and realized it was a letter to encourage us in the midst of examination. In the letter were many promises of God which would address fear and anxiety. Some of them were passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:27 and 1 Peter 5:7.
After reading the letter, I was reminded that I forgot to commit all I was doing to God. I was merely going through alone. After reading the letter, I decided to claim on His promises that I need not be anxious for I have a God whom I can commit all my anxieties and concerns to. In return, He is able to give me the peace which the world cannot give.
I reached school an hour before my paper. As I sat down at the study corner, I was reminded to pray – before I continued on with my last-minute revision. It was indeed a great thing to be able to put my trust in a faithful God.
In the end, the paper was not tough. Before I submitted the paper, I was reminded of Daniel after God gave him the vision of the dream. The first thing Daniel did was to praise and thank God. I was reminded and I managed to give praise and thanks to God before I eventually submitted my paper.
Yet the main part of this account is not that God will give you easy paper, but God, through many means, reminded me to put my trust in Him.
Therefore, if we were to face trials in the future, let us consider how we can still continue to praise God and trust Him. Consider also how we can claim on His promises. Keep in mind that God never fails us and what He says, He will do.
Day By Day
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Everyday, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one,the days, the moment fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.
