Plain Promises

The following thoughts appeared today on David Jeremiah's Turning Point online devotional:

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and to Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. - 2 Corinthians 1:20

When the great pastor and hymnist, Isaac Watts, grew aged and sick, he had a visit from a friend. As they conversed, Watts spoke of once hearing a minister preach about "the plain promises of the Gospel."

It was a phrase Watts liked. "And so I find it," he told his friend. "They are the plain promises of the Gospel that are my support, and I bless God they are plain promises, which do not require much labor or pains to understand them, for I can do nothing now but look into my Bible for some promise to support me, and live upon that.

"God has given us His promises to use as a shepherd uses his rod and staff to support himself, as a house uses its foundation to remain solid, as weary Jacob used a rock for a pillow and had dreams of heaven.The Lord does not forget His promises. We can cling to them, but even better—we can rest in them. They will never fail.

I'll read the histories of Thy love,
And keep Thy laws in sight,
While through the promises I rove,
With ever fresh delight.

- Isaac Watts