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YOURS FOR THE TAKING!
God showed me his treasure chest of
promises
And said, "Help yourself!"
I lifted the lid to all this wealth
And in excitement grasped the
treasure that shone the most.
It was the pearl of great price --
"He that hath the Son hath life" (I John 5:12).
I slipped it on my finger and wore
it through my everydayness.
Its constant sparkle gave my life
joy.
It was the promise of eternal life.
He noticed I was lonely and afraid,
And gave me this promise --
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 12:5b).
And when I picked it up,
It was a cloak to wear on my
shoulders,
And, oh, it kept me warm and
comfortable,
Even in sorrow, disappointment and
death.
It was the promise of his presence.
I was ashamed as I looked at my
hands
So dirty and stained.
In his chest I found a costly
ointment --
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will
forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(I John 1:9)
Every
application left me with the clean fragrance of peace,
And the healing of Calvary.
This was the promise of his
forgiveness.
On my back I was carrying a heavy
pack
Of worries and cares.
"I do not like to see this," he
said.
And brought out of his treasure
chest a purse,
Richly embroidered with these words
--
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
(I Pet. 5:7)
And, behold, in its bottom was a
large opening!
When I drop my cares in there
They disappear.
He follows behind and picks them up
And solves them for me.
This was the promise of his
providential care.
My feet were sore from the rough and
stony road
And I could not go on.
He knew the way I took
And his sympathetic voice said, "Try
this --
"My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:9)
I stepped into this rugged pair of
boots
That were soft as slippers to my
feet.
They carried me over all terrain
In all kinds of weather.
And I came safely through
For this was the promise of his
strength.
Ahead the way was very dark;
I could not see the end.
From the chest a luminous promise
glowed --
"In my Father's House are many mansions; I go to
prepare a place for you." (John 14:1,2)
He placed this light in my hands,
And it shed a beam into my future.
It was the promise of heaven.
Then he showed me the most precious
gift of all --
The victor's crown.
Too beautiful for words!
A laurel wreath,
emerald leafed
gold
filigreed
and
diamonded.
"I
will inscribe your name on it," he said.
"And
keep it for you."
Yes, it was the best promise of all
--
"Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the
crown of life." (Rev. 2:110b)
In
tears I fell at his feet.
"All this wealth is too much for
me!"
But he answered, "He who did not
spare his own Son, will
he not also give you all things?
Use my promises for a life more
abundant!"
And from a heart that had tasted the
riches of Christ,
And knew there was more to come,
I humbly whispered,
"Thank you, God."
Doris Stensland
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