Before we were,
God’s Word was,
Promising Provision for every need:

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Before the serpent would speak the lie,
was God’s Word, Promising Truth.

Before Adam and Eve would hide in guilt,
was God’s Word, Promising Justice.

Before Cain would withhold rightful offering,
was God’s Word, Promising Acceptance.

Before Abel would be slain in violence,
was God’s Word, Promising Peace.

Before Noah would ride out the flood,
was God’s Word, Promising Cleansing.

Before Ham would shame his father,
was God’s Word, Promising Esteem.

Before Abram would pack up and move,
was God’s Word, Promising Direction.

Before Sarai would laugh in absurdity,
was God’s Word, Promising Blessing.

Before Lot’s wife would decide to look back,
was God’s Word, Promising Obedience.

Before Abimelech would suffer consequences,
was God’s Word, Promising Healing.

Before Hagar would experience rejection,
was God’s Word, Promising Compassion.

Before Isaac would lie on the altar,
was God’s Word, Promising Sacrifice.

Before Esau would sell his birthright,
was God’s Word, Promising Inheritance.

Before Jacob would be deceived and cheated,
was God’s Word, Promising Restitution.

Before Joseph would be imprisoned,
was God’s Word, Promising Freedom.

Before Jacob’s sons would face their brother,
was God’s Word, Promising Reconciliation.

Before Pharaoh would deny God,
was God’s Word, Promising Vindication.

Before Moses would hold out the rod,
was God’s Word, Promising Deliverance.

Before Miriam would sing her song,
was God’s Word, Promising Joy.

Before Aaron would cast the golden calf,
was God’s Word, Promising Worship.

Before Rahab would hide the spies,
was God’s Word, Promising Protection.

Before Joshua would cross the Jordan,
was God’s Word, Promising Victory.

Before Deborah would sit under the tree,
was God’s Word, Promising Honor.

Before Gideon would go into battle,
was God’s Word, Promising Might.

Before Samson would succumb to pride,
was God’s Word, Promising Strength.

Before Ruth would be considered an outcast,
was God’s Word, Promising Redemption.

Before Hannah would pray for a child,
was God’s Word, Promising Rebirth.

Before Samuel would hear God’s call,
was God’s Word, Promising Purpose.

Before Saul would take offense,
was God’s Word, Promising Forgiveness.

Before David would betray in lust,
was God’s Word, Promising Faithfulness.

Before Solomon would sit in judgment,
was God’s Word, Promising Wisdom.

Before Elijah would call down fire,
was God’s Word, Promising Power.

Before Elisha would see the whirlwind,
was God’s Word, Promising Anointing.

Before Nehemiah would rebuild the walls,
was God’s Word, Promising Restoration.

Before Esther would go before the king,
was God’s Word, Promising Mercy.

Before Job would question wrongly,
was God’s Word, Promising Righteousness.

Before Daniel would enter the lion’s den,
was God’s Word, Promising Steadfastness.

Before Jonah would go his own way,
was God’s Word, Promising Sovereignty.

Before the Prophets would proclaim the future,
was God’s Word, Promising Fulfillment.

Before Zechariah would be struck mute,
was God’s Word, Promising Belief.

Before Mary would consider motherhood,
was God’s Word, Promising Fathership.

Before the angels would sing the announcement,
was God’s Word, Promising Presence.

Before time would begin,
was God’s Word, Promising Eternity in the end.

 [fromThe Promise of the Cross, © 2011]

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About fifteen years ago, I had a dream in which I was a student sitting in a classroom. The “teacher” (an older, distinguished-looking gentleman) was handing back test papers. He gave me mine. At the top of the paper, written in red, was the grade of “67,” underlined twice.

I awoke, knowing two things. First, the “teacher” was God, and I was His student. Second, I was “almost” passing, and that thrilled me to no end! In my mind, I was almost “there” (good enough, acceptable). I had almost “achieved” the magical grade of 70 that would somehow make me a “worthy” person. Then I’d gain access to whatever the rewards were for “living right,” and no longer could anyone  reject me as being “not quite good enough.”

But as time went on, I came to understand the Truth. What God was really telling me in that dream was that no amount of “good works,” or “good intentions” could ever earn me any kind of rights with God, who is eternally perfect. Knowing that an “almost” perfect grade of 99 on my test wouldn’t have been any better In the eyes of God than was my “almost passing” grade of 67 took the heat off me of continually “trying” to be and do just a little bit better at everything.

So with that right head knowledge that was still in process of being dropped into my heart,  I began to understand that my need to be made acceptable in the past was greater in my own eyes than was God’s loving acceptance of me. I couldn’t see that I was already accepted. I kept trying harder to get what I already had.

But when the memory of the dream returned, I once again smiled, knowing that God’s timing is perfect. This time I knew that God hadn’t been the one grading my performance. I had been. It was I who had given myself the grade of “67.” Until the moment of the realization, I never saw myself as ever being quite “good enough” to measure up to anyone’s standards.

But God in His merciful understanding has only one test in life that He will give to His students, and He is expecting us all to pass with flying colors, receiving a perfect grade of “100.” God’s “test” consists of only one question:  “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that you need Him to save you from your sin?” The moment we give an answer of “Yes,” we “Pass”-from death into life, and we’re forever “in.” Included in Christ, we’re always “approved” because Jesus Himself is eternally Approved! Our status cannot change because Jesus Himself can never change!

When we keep trying to prove to ourselves and others that we’re “plenty good enough” to be accepted by them, we get so busy trying to fill our own need that we overlook the same need of others:  to know that they’re fully accepted in Jesus.

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