As I walked through the hallways at work this morning, I heard a tune that always manages to catch in my head each time I hear it and that always manages to encourage and cheer me. The song is Standing on the Promises by Russell K. Carter. I remember singing it in church as a girl and hearing it many times at home and other places as well. The words speak plainly of a confidence that all Christians should have, all should strive for, and many often find themselves struggling to hold. And I love that the lyrics address that discouragement and struggle as well, in fact, it's quite possibly my favorite verse: Standing on the promises that cannot fail, The image of storms bringing darkness and cloudiness, fear and doubt, is a powerful one to me. It's ironic in a sense as I love thunderstorms. However, as my mom reminded me a few weeks ago, I just might love them because I was fascinated by them and scared by them as a child, constantly asking why God needed to make such noise. My parents reply was simply to remind us that He's there. So maybe in the dark and in the cloudiness we can hear him the loudest. That would certainly make the next part of this verse shine even brighter in that only through the "Word of God" can we overcome such gloom. I love that the hymn doesn't neglect that we're flawed humans who struggle even to trust our Savior, but also remembers that we can overcome and trust in full even in the darkest and most trying hours. So for those of you not humming it yet... Standing, standing, |
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