Dear God

There is a song by the Southern Gospel group "The Martins" that I recently heard for the first time and it really spoke to me. The words are simple. The melody is nothing complex. The meaning is profound. It's called "The Promise" and the words are very powerful for me at this point in my life. The words are:

"I never said that I would give you silver or gold.
Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold.
But I did say you'd never walk through this world alone.
And I did say don't make this world your home.

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night.
Or tha loneliness was something you'd never have to fight.
But I did say I'd be right there by your side.
And I did say I'll always help you to fight.

Cause you know I made a promise
that I intend to keep
My grace will be sufficient in every time of need.
My love will be the anchor you can hold on to.
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you.

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you.
Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool.
But I did say like Me you'll surely be despised.
And I did say My ways confound the wise.

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death
Or have to walk through chilly Jordan to enter into rest.
But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side.
And I did say I'll dry every tear you cry.

Cause you know I made a promise
That I've prepared a place
And someday sooner than you think
You'll see Me face to face
And you'll sing with the angels
And a countless multitude
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you.

So just keep on walking
Don't turn left or right
And in the midst of darkness
Let this be your light
That hell can't separate us
And you're gonna make it through
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you."

What a comfort to know that no matter what I'm going through, Christ is right there along side of me, holding me. I heard an awesome illustration of God's love recently. Imagine a large basket. That's God. Inside that large basket is a smaller basket. That's Jesus Christ. Inside that smaller basket is an even smaller one. That's me. Inside that basket representing me is another small basket. That's Jesus Christ living IN me. Whatever happens to me while I walk this earth has to filter through God and His Son, Jesus Christ before it can even touch me.

While God never promised that bad things would never come my way, He did promise that He would be there. That is my anchor. That is my refuge. I am not alone through my trials.

Thank you, Lord, for being right where you promised You would be. Thank you for holding me so close to your spirit that nothing can touch me without Your will. Thank you for the promise that You will never give me more than I can bear. Thank you for the trials, for they demonstrate Your strength through my weakness when I lean on you. Thank you for loving me and never leaving me.