God Has Promised

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Text: God Has Promised Many Things
© 1997 Ellie Evans

Dear Lord I lift my heart to you
and in each day rejoice, [i]
though some days bring such struggles
they would crush my lifted voice.

The load then seems so heavy,
more than I alone can bear ... [ii]
I'm thankful for Your promise
that assures You're always there. [iii]

You've promised many wondrous things
but it's quite clear to me,
You never promised me a life
all blissful and carefree. [iv]

You didn't say I'd never know
my full share of pain, [v]
or that I'd see the beauty of
the rainbow without rain.

You haven't promised I'll not feel
the deepest depths of sorrow,
or that I'll even understand [vi]
the reasons come tomorrow.

But You have promised many things
that make my life worth living,
Your grace, [vii] Your strength, [viii] Your presence [ix]
and Your love [it] you keep on giving.

You comfort [xi] me in life's great storms
and share my hidden heartaches. [xii]
You love me even as I am [xiii]
and guide the course my life takes. [xiv]

You hold me in Your loving arms [xv]
and wipe away my tears, [xvi]
and when I let You fill my heart
You cast out all my fears. [xvii]

Through You I have a lasting hope, [xviii]
to some a mystery, [xix]
a peace that fills my heart with calm [xx]
upon life's roughest sea.

In You dear Lord I'll always find
great joy in fullest measure. [xxi]
You help me see through loving eyes [xxii]
and know what's truly treasure. [xxiii]

Through every challenge, every grief
You'll give me victory, [xxiv]
and perfect strength in weakness [xxv]
if I'll only lean on Thee.

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Bible References

[i] Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always ....
[ii] I Pet. 5:7 Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Matt. 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
[iii] Matt. 28:20b "And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
[iv] John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world.
[v] 1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
[vi] Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
[vii] Ephesians 1:7-8 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence ....
[viii] Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases power to the weak.
Phil. 4:13 I can do all through Christ who strengthens me.
[ix] Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
[it] Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His compassions never fail.
[xi] II Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
[xii] Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who crushed in spirit.
[xiii] Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[xiv] Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Psalm 139:9-10 If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of sea, even then your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
[xv] Zechariah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Deuteronomy 33:27a The eternal God is your refuge; and underneath are the everlasting arms.
[xvi] Psalm 56:8 You number and record my wanderings; you put my tears in your bottle; are they not in your book?
Rev. 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd ... and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
[xvii] I John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear ....
John 14:27c ... Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.
[xviii] Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
[xix] Col. 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known ... the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
[xx] Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
[xxi] I Pet. 1:8-9 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
[xxii] John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you ....
[xxiii] Colossians 2:2-3 ... that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
[xxiv] I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[xxv] II Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.



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© 1997 Ellie Evans
Used with permission from http://leaparizona.com/