Manna in the Morning

Kelso Carter wrote an old Gospel Hymn entitled, “Standing On the Promises” which has blessed the hearts of many through the years. “Standing On the Promises” is more than a title to a song. It is the very heart of our faith. It is the only place we have to stand. Once, a song leader stopped a congregation in the middle of singing that song. He asked people in the audience to volunteer some of the promises on which they were standing. One said, “Lo, I am with you, always.” Another said, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Still another said, “Where two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst.” Soon, a dozen promises had been quoted. When the singing resumed, there was a marked increase in enthusiasm. As we go about our day to day... let us remember that the best place in all the world for us to stand is “on the promises of God.”

Today is Good Friday. Friday is the day that Jesus was convicted as a common Criminal and sentenced to die... but Sunday’s coming! Friday is the day that the crowds cried crucify... that was Friday... but Sunday’s coming! Friday is the day that Jesus was flogged and mocked and spit upon... that was Friday... but Sunday is coming! Friday was the day that he was made to carry his cross to the hill of Golgotha... that was Friday, but Sunday’s coming! Friday was the day they nailed the nails in his hands and feet... that was Friday but Sunday’s coming! Friday was the day that Jesus breathed his last... that was Friday but Sunday’s coming! Friday was the day that the sun refused to shine at midday... that was Friday but Sunday’s coming! Friday was the day they put his lifeless body in a cold tomb and sealed it with a stone... that was Friday but Sunday’s coming! Today is the day we call Good Friday but Sunday is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! Hallelujah Christ is risen!!!

We are in the middle of what is commonly called Holy Week. It’s the observance of the week of activities leading up to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. Many are offended by the doctrine of the cross. They feel it is an affront to the sensitivities of our 21st century sophistication. They feel it is an emblem of cruel death and suffering. They feel it is an uncomfortable reminder of blood and death. The interesting thing is that all of those opinions are actually true. The manner of Jesus’ death is an affront to human sensitivity. Jesus most certainly suffered and died in a very cruel manner. And, there is no escaping that at the heart of Christianity is blood and death— the blood of Jesus.... the death of Jesus. While that may sound harsh it is also designed to be a holy expression of the love of a Graceful God who gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Let us live this day with an awareness of God’s love that He expressed to us by the cross of Calvary.

I know you’ve heard them. Those all-too-familiar expressions of exasperation. Here are a few of them:

Things are going from bad to worse.
Jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Between a rock and a hard place.
Between the devil and the deep blue sea.
He said, “Cheer up, things could get worse,” so I cheered up—and sure enough, things got worse!
My mother told me there would be days like these, but she never said they would run in packs.

So, what can we do when we feel pressured and trapped by circumstances that seem to be more than we can handle? The Apostle Paul has an answer in Galatians 6. In verse 9 he urges, “Let us not lose heart.” In other words, don’t quit...don’t throw in the towel when things are tough. Stand firm. Be strong. Let God help.

In verse 10 he writes, “Let us do good.” In other words, don’t be destructive. Don’t just fuss and fume and fret. Rather, turn the whole situation over to God.

In verse 17 he says, “Let no one cause you trouble.” In other words, don’t let others have mastery over you. The throne of your heart belongs to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And finally, in verse 18 Paul says, “Let grace be with your spirit.” Just think about the grace of God that is able to flood your soul. Give it to God...He can handle it.