Isaiah 26:3 –
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You.”

John 10:28 –
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

Just a couple of God’s many promises to those who love and trust him.

But, what happens when Christ whispers to us, promise me?
Promise me, when you are tried or tempted you will run to the foot of the cross to receive my compassion, mercy and grace.

Daily in our lives we are faced with temptation or fear.  We search for answers, comfort and solutions from friends or family. They can be helpful, but for true answers and promises do we plead in prayer crying out for mercy and grace to be delivered from those temptations and fears?

Before we get to a place where we regret those cutting words spoken, our hurtful actions towards those around us or ill circumstances created, do we turn to the one who took our place?  Do we  lay them at the foot of the cross?

We run to find and seek God’s promises.  Sometimes, he asks us to promise him when temptation and fear knocks at the doors of our lives, we would first run to him for compassion, mercy and grace at the foot of the cross. Love poured out as a promise in Christ.

The song Promise Me, by Aaron Jeoffrey brings back memories of my mom as I witnessed her faith in a very difficult situation.  Christ understands, he’s been there, too.

My mom was small in stature, but she stands as a giant of faith to me.

Great faith!

After suffering the ill effects of diabetes for many years, two of her toes became infected and had to be amputated.  A week or so after surgery, the doctor needed to clean out the cavity  without deadening the area on her foot.  I was in the room with her to hold her hand and give her support.  Maybe, I was helpful to her that day, I’m not sure.

Through my tears I desired to take away her suffering or endure it for her.  In her pain, she cried out to the Lord.  She didn’t just cry out to him, but pleaded for the Lord to pour out his mercy to take her home.  Instantly, I sensed his presense in the room and felt his compassionate grace for her.  I knew he heard her and her prayer would soon be answered.

Knowing this, my heart was torn.  I struggled with the thought of her leaving and of letting her go.  Yet, I witnessed her faith as she promised to run to him for his compassion, mercy  and grace at the foot of the cross, when the nightmare came to call.

Was I tempted to run to the foot of the cross crying out to Christ, not to answer her prayer, when I didn’t want to let her go?  Yes, I was tempted.  Instead, I ran to the foot of the cross for mercy, strength and grace to accept his answer to my mom’s prayer.

As I mentioned in another post, (Peace in Pain and Sorrow) his hand does not always take away our pain, but he understands it as we trust him.

Always willing to play dress-up with the grand kids!

I miss you, mom.