I Have a Promise

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:58 – ESV)

There is so much uncertainty in the world today, and we often strive for things with no apparent or failing results. There seems to be vanity today and everyday. So much that we do seems to be in vain. What’s the use? When everything around us seems to be crumbling, why bother? If we are saved, why go the extra mile? Why do anything more if no one is going to appreciate it, what good will it do anyway, how will this one little thing make any difference? All this is going to do is cause me more trouble than it is worth. In the big scheme of things, why go through all the trouble when it really doesn’t make that big of a difference?

Here’s why. Paul says therefore. In other words, because Christ has risen from the dead, we as Christians will also rise, and all of our work here on this earth in the Lord will not be in vain.

I want you to seize on this one promise, a promise that is as big as you want it to be, a promise that is as good as the character of our God, a promise that is built upon nothing less than the person and work of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a promise that cannot fail. A promise that will undergird you, motivate and inspire you, guide you and grace you for whatever may lie ahead in this life, no matter how great or how small, how difficult or how exciting, this one promise stands as a towering reminder of the promise of God to all His children. That promise is the reason for our practice.

· We should be convicted by this promise (steadfast)
· We should be controlled of this promise (immovable)
· We should be compelled by this promise (always abounding in the work of the Lord)
· We should be convinced by this promise (knowing that)
· We should be comforted by this promise (in the Lord your labor is not in vain)

I love being inspired. Inspiring men, with inspired dreams, and inspired words, and with inspiring ideas, this has always inspired me. Dr. Martin Luther King, Martin Luther, and Patrick Henry have inspired me. I appreciate the imagination to inspire, the will to win, the courage to convict and convince, and the desire to see men and women rise up to their potential.

But men and women are all a part of this fallen human race, and no amount of inspiration, imagination, vision, hard work, and unity of purpose will truly carry us to the Promised Land. We need something more, something sure.

I have found it.

This is about more than a man who has been to the top of the mountain, but about the One who has been to the heights of heaven, down to the depths of hell, and He can lift us up, and help us to see God Himself. It is about the One who was anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and liberty to those who are oppressed.

I have more than a dream, more than a hope, more than a potential, more than an inspiring idea. I have a promise from God and so do you. I have more than inspiration, I have empowerment, the grace of God that adorns this promise; our work in the Lord is not in vain. Even when we do not rise, but when we fall, and when we fail, this promise still stands for it is based on our Lord’s work, it is His grace that saves us and allows us to do anything good anyway. Our hope, our destiny, our dream and our faith is not dependent upon our own power but it is rooted in God’s power. He cannot fail even if we fail. We cannot lose because He cannot lose. I have more than a dream; I have a promise.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©