THE POWER BEHIND GOD'S PROMISES.
By C. H. Edwards
MANY and precious are the promises God has given to us. Constantly is our Heavenly Father holding them out to us, trying to allure us onward and upward till the sorrow and pain, the perplexities and care, of this world are forgotten as we view the realities of the great beyond. Not that he would have us neglect or depreciate the duties of life, but would have us, as we are passing through the experiences of life, realize that we are not to bear all these burdens alone, but that he is the Burden Bearer. He would teach us that we may cast all our care upon him, for he careth for us; so that, with Paul, we may exclaim, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." On nearly every page of his word we find these precious, shining jewels. How they sparkle when held in the sunlight of his love! How their glittering rays pierce the darkness and gloom of our weary, aching hearts, till with renewed courage we fix our eyes above and press upward! Among these glorious gems we find, "They that trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be removed." As we read this promise, several questions arise in the mind: Is this reliable? Can we depend upon it? Has the Lord the power to fulfill it? If so, what assurance has he given? Has he ever given us some tangible evidence of his power? We are led to believe that he has given us the proof of his power, and that we may fully rely on its fulfillment. Let us notice some of the proof that has been given. In the nineteenth psalm we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God." We usually understand the word "glory" to refer to the brightness or atmosphere by which heaven and the heavenly beings are surrounded, but in this text we think it has a broader meaning. By comparing a few texts we get the idea: John 2: 11: "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory." It is clearly seen that the glory here manifested is the power of God. Rom. 6: 4: "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father." That this is the power of God is stated like this: "According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead." Eph. 1: 19, 20. So we see that the "glory" of God is the "power" of God. Then, substituting the word "power" for "glory" in the text, we have, "The heavens declare the power of God." Day unto day they are uttering this speech, and night unto night they are giving this knowledge. "There is no speech nor language [no place under the broad canopy of heaven where speech or language is used] where their voice is not heard." "Their words [have gone] to the ends of the world." Day and night, summer and winter, they are telling in sublime tones to every individual on this globe, of the mighty power of our Father. This is further explained thus: "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead." Their language is so simple and wonderfully plain that those who will not read and understand "are without excuse." In the midst of the heavens "he has set a tabernacle [dwelling place] for the sun." "His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." What a lesson it is teaching! Behold, what greatness! With wonder and awe we contemplate this mighty orb. How can we grasp the startling fact that it is one and a half million times larger than this earth? Think of its diameter (nearly 886,000 miles), while that of this earth is only 8,000 miles. Were it to be weighed in a balance with this earth it would more than balance 350,000 such worlds. See it as it sweeps onward through space accompanied by its retinue of planets. What holds these orbs in their places? What keeps them from clashing one against another? We answer with reverence, The mighty power of God, for God "hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power." Can we explain or comprehend this?—Oh, no, it is too wonderful and sublime for us, yet this is the mighty power that is at His command who made that precious promise! Then can we not revel in the glories of His love, "knowing that He is faithful that promised?"