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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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