“…‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.” Acts 10:31 (NKJV)
Even as many of us consider our New Year’s resolutions, I can think of no better way to begin this new year than to call to remembrance the promises of God, His “exceedingly great and precious promises” by which we might “be partakers of His divine nature” – 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV).
“Let not your heart be troubled” – John 14:1 (NKJV), is the Word we received in our recent Old Year’s Night worship service. God’s servant, our Bishop, pointed us to the promise of Jesus to prepare a place where He will receive His own unto Himself. Though we are troubled on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – KJV), distressed, perplexed, and persecuted, we are never forsaken. He promised to be with us always, even to the end – Matthew 28:20 (NKJV).
This assurance we have throughout the Bible from the Old Testament, where Abraham believed in God Who gave him a promise and it was counted to him for righteousness, to the New Testament where Paul, the Apostle, stated that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This assurance is that God will deliver on every promise.
Today, as we pray for our country and the nations of the world, as we remember the war in Ukraine, as we read of persecutions against Christians around the world, as we witness extremes in weather conditions resulting in floods and other natural disasters, let us call to mind the promises of God. Most of all, the promise fulfilled of a Saviour whose birth we celebrate and whose return we eagerly await.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many great and precious promises You gave to us. We lay claim to them all and ask for Your blessings on our families as we continue to serve You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 31:8; John.16:33
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 6; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 6:1-24; Genesis 14; Genesis 15; Genesis 16
