A number of years ago, when my youngest daughter Gabrielle was born, I looked into the nursery and watched her as she slept. After admiring her for a time, I began to wonder how old she would be before she understood the benefits and limitations of being a “Coker”. I knew too that one day she would comprehend her position as the youngest of nine children – momma’s last baby. I realized then that her biggest struggle, as with her brothers and sisters, would come as she reached a point of establishing her own identity. As each of the children has gone through that stage, it seems each one needed something different. Fulfilling individual desires, avoiding comparisons, and insuring each understood their position as a family member was the trick. I can’t imagine doing that on God’s scale!
What I do know is that since God does not show partiality (Job 34:19) and loves you all equally (John 3:16, 17) then each of you must possess promises which provide an equal footing before God. I see that plainly in 2 Peter 1:3 where it says: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” If that is true, then you have a responsibility to find the promises that apply to you in scripture and then trust God to keep those promises, even if it is necessary to repeat your requests. We know that persistence prevails (Mark 7, Luke 4).
I tell you these things because there are thousands of promised in an endless variety. It’s like walking into one of the “Super stores.” You can find groceries, medicines, clothing, electronics, storage and other home needs, as well as whatever you need for your car. You will find promises for your immediate needs like food in Psalms 37:25 as we mentioned on a previous day. Or you can find promises that through the ages that were intended for an individual, then a people, which in turn were modified for all believers. (Deuteronomy 31:7 – 8, Joshua 1:8 – 9, and Hebrews 13:5 – 6) There is a promise to meet every need you face. You cannot find a situation for which God has not provided.
In the high-tech, Internet Company I work for now, we have a position for a “Data miner.” This individual extracts patterns and information from large amounts of data. It assists our analysts by collecting critical information on behavior and relationships existing across a single or multiple domains. Regardless of where you are in life right now, I encourage you to start data mining the scriptures to find your promises. Be careful to insure that they are applicable, and then make them yours and God’s. Years ago, I identified a promise in Jeremiah that has given me peace to this day, despite stressful situations I have faced. Data mining today will help you prosper and bring you peace tomorrow. What are you waiting for – start digging!
Love Dad