Prayer and Promises

The Promise 

For as the earth brings forth her buds, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

— Isaiah 61:11, MEV 

The Testimony 

As we look upon the things of natural loveliness, they have ever a softening, subduing influence upon the mind and character; and these things of nature are the expression of the love of God to man; for the Lord is a lover of the beautiful. 

The flowers are to us constant teachers. The shrubs and flowers gather to themselves the properties of earth and air which they appropriate to perfect the beautiful buds and blossoming flowers, for our happiness. 

Just so has God given us the precious promises throughout his word. The Scriptures are open to us as the garden of God, and their promises are as fragrant flowers blooming all over that garden. God especially calls our attention to the very ones that are appropriate for us. In these promises we may discern the character of God, and read his love to us. They are the ground upon which our faith rests, the support and strength of our faith and hope; and through these we are to delight our souls in God, and breathe in the fragrance of heaven. Through the precious promises he withdraws the veil from the future, and gives us glimpses of the things which he has prepared for those who love him. 

All these promises, all these assurances in the garden of God’s word, are to us an expression of the love of God to man, and we should not regard them with carelessness or indifference; but as we would examine the precious flowers in our brother’s garden, and inhale their fragrance, delighting our senses with their loveliness and fragrance, just so we should take the promises of God, one by one, and examine them closely on every side—take in their richness, and be soothed, comforted, encouraged, and strengthened by them. God has provided for all the comforts the soul needs. They are suited to the friendless, the poverty stricken, the wealthy, the sick, the bereaved,—all may have their appropriate help if they will see and take hold upon these by faith. God scatters blessings all along our path, to brighten the rugged way of life; and we want to be receiving all the comfort and tokens of God’s love with grateful hearts. 

— The Review and Herald, October 11, 1887 

The Response 

Father God, fill my heart with the fragrance of heaven in Your precious promises. As I open the Scriptures and meditate on Your word, teach me to discern Your love and righteousness. Be my comfort and strength for it is You who I look to for the needs of my soul. I seek Your blessings and with a grateful heart I take hold of Your rich promises by faith!