Faith's Consolation

"Day by Day" is a precious hymn that I sing to myself often. I love all three stanzas, but I am often drawn in particular to the opening words of the third stanza.

"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." (Lina Sandell)

God's promises do not fail. Even if a believer forgets or doubts, God remains faithful to His Word. Therefore, a Christian won't lose the end result that God has determined, but he can lose something precious in the midst of the journey. When he forgets or doubts God's promises, he stands to lose "faith's sweet consolation."

There is sweet comfort in the promises of God. In fact, many of His promises are given for the very purpose of providing comfort. Jesus comforted His disciples with a promise: "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:1-3).

Paul reminds the believers of this same truth, and he urges them to use the truth to comfort one another. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (II Thessalonians 4:16-18).

In the business world, a promise might be nothing more than a contractual obligation. Mr. Smith promises to pay $1000 to Mr. Jones when Mr. Jones delivers the promised merchandise. There is nothing terribly exciting or comforting about that.  God's promises, by contrast, provide a spiritual benefit that heightens the value already intrinsic in the promise. In the verses above, the fulfillment of the promise - the day that Jesus breaks through the clouds to take His children to heaven - will be amazing indeed, but the benefit is not limited to the consummation of the promise. The anticipation of that promise gives comfort and hope to believers while they wait for that day. Trust in the promise strengthens them to endure the trials of life.

Hebrews 13:5-6 provides another promise that affects the spirit. "For He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we may confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.'" The promise of God's faithful, constant presence gives confidence and freedom from fear, both of which are beyond the actual companionship.

I John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Again, there is a benefit beyond the actual remission of sins. The promise provides peace and freedom from overwhelming guilt. It gives the believer the boldness to actually come and ask for forgiveness, no matter how great his sin.

James 1:5 promises, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." The promised end is the wisdom, but the very fact that the promise exists gives hope. Knowing the promise can lift a man from the discouragement, frustration, and hopelessness that are brought about by his lack of wisdom. He can reap these spiritual benefits before he ever receives the promised wisdom.

The list of examples could continue. Over and over in His Word, God gives promises to His children. The promise itself is wonderful, but there is an additional sweet hope and consolation found in the anticipation of the promise. What makes God's promises so special?

Considering promises made by people provides an inkling of why God's promises are so special. The business transaction between Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones is a cold and mercenary promise, but a father could provide some consolation to his son by promising a special outing. If Dad promises Johnny on Monday that they will go fishing together on Saturday, the hope of that promise can buoy Johnny's spirit and can carry him through the entire week.

There is something about the promise from Dad to Johnny that is different from the promise from Mr. Smith to Mr. Jones. The difference is love. Because of the loving relationship between the father and son, and because of the love-motivated reasons for the promise, the promise becomes special. This is certainly true of God. Every promise that God makes comes from His overflowing heart of love for His children. While God may also be doing other things (like promoting His glory or proving His faithfulness), His promises are permeated with love for His children. This love makes the promises extra-special, and the believer who remembers the promises and trusts in them will receive the sweet consolation that they are able to provide.

"In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago." Titus 1:2 (NASB)