“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” (Mark‬ ‭14:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God gives us promises in the light so we can hold on to them in the dark. A couple weeks ago my husband and I met with a very wise woman of God to pray. She urged, “What promises has God given you in the past? Hold on to those.”

We’ve got to remember what God said when the lights go out.

Did the disciples? I mean, this was the Last Supper and Jesus was issuing instructions and hope, but were they listening? Would they remember His words when the cross completely obstructed their view of their Teacher? It doesn’t seem so. But when the promises unfurled over their life again, their faith was bolstered.

The sooner we learn to live confident of God’s promises, the better. The disciples belief was reinforced post-cross and their ministry multiplied post-Pentecost. What might it take to reinforce and multiply us?

When we begin to wonder about God’s faithfulness we need to remember His cross.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

If God was going to backtrack on a promise, wouldn’t the cross be the one to reconsider?

Yet, Jesus was faithful unto death, faithful all the way through resurrection and still today. We can trust Him with lesser things. Everything is lesser than the cross. Jesus has already addressed our most pressing issue. Everything else is small potatoes.

The thing is, it’s so hard to hear God’s promises over the rush of grief and worry in our own heads. Beloved, that’s when we need to hear them the most. His promises are our lifelines; we’ve got to grab on and refuse to let go. When we do, He carefully, faithfully tugs us to the other side.

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm‬ ‭119:50‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Lord, please help us hear and treasure Your promises in the light, so we can hang on to them in the dark. We see how You spoke to Your disciples pre-cross. You issued instructions and hope for the hard days that would follow. We realize You speak to us pre-pain; You hand us the lifeline for the tough times that follow. We remember that You have already addressed our biggest problem. We can trust You for the lesser stuff. Help us hear You today and still remember Your words when tomorrow comes. Amen.