More Thoughts on Memorizing...

I was so sad when I realized that by deleting my gmail account - trying to simplify my life a bit - I had also deleted a couple of blogs that I had kept while my two oldest boys were in the Army.  There's nothing like going through deep waters to keep you on your knees and constantly crying out to God for your loved ones when they are in difficult circumstances - like carrying 90 lbs of equipment in 115 degree weather, hiking up dry hills in the same hot weather, being shot at and trying to find and avoid IED's, etc.  

Through those days especially God's promises became very comforting to me and I learned a lot about trusting Him completely and also a very good truth about prayer.  

It's easy to throw up those prayers to God like "Keep them safe", "Be with them", etc.  What I realized over time was that instead of praying for them in that way, it would be more God-honoring to thank Him for the promises He had already given me.  

I remember in my blog I likened it to a small child who at the beginning of the day would beg his mother to make him lunch or dinner.  Mothers just do that automatically...it's part of the job.  We don't have to be asked to do it or be begged to make food for our kids.  We will do everything necessary to provide food for our families.  In the same way, we don't have to beg God or ask God to do things He's already promised He's going to do and will do just because of who He is, His character.  I went from asking God for things to thanking Him for His promises - and making lists of His promises and thanking Him specifically that He would be to my sons (and other children as well) everything that He is.  

A lot of those promises are great verses to memorize so that when we face those difficult days we know His character and who He is and we can face them with the promises of God.  

I love that old hymn "Standing on the Promises".  But to stand on them, I need to know them.  Dwelling in the shelter means knowing God's promises by heart then thanking God for them and standing on them! He loves to be reminded of His word!! 

  

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
   Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
   Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
   Standing on the promises of God.
   • Refrain:
     Standing, standing,
     Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
     Standing, standing,
     I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
   When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
   By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
   Standing on the promises of God.
3. Standing on the promises I now can see
   Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
   Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
   Standing on the promises of God.
4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
   Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
   Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
   Standing on the promises of God.
5. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
   List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
   Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
   Standing on the promises of God.