When Lloyd C. Douglas, author of The Robe and other novels, was a university student, he lived in a boarding house. Downstairs on the first floor was an elderly retired music teacher, now infirm and unable to leave the apartment. Douglas said that every morning they had a ritual. He would come down the steps, open the old man's door and ask, "Well, what's the good news?" The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his wheelchair, and say, "That's middle C! It was middle C yesterday, it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat, the piano across the hall is out of tune, but my friend, that is middle C!"(1-2)
When facing financial need and uncertainty:
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
When feeling insecure and inadequate:
I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
When needing direction and insight:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
When feeling alone and wondering if God is present:
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
When facing ridicule, criticism and rejection by others as you walk with Christ:
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
When feeling fearful of an assignment or opportunity God has sent your way:
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).
When facing circumstances that make no sense:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
When facing winds of adversity, trouble, and hardship:
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
When temptation comes knocking:
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When wondering if God hears your prayers:
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).
When wondering if you'll ever become what God wants you to be:
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will cary it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).
When worry is wearing you out:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
When doubting your salvation:
"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21).
For more on the promises of God check out God's Yellow Pages at http://divinepeace.com/yellow
1). C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
2). Notes from a sermon at Northwoods Community Church, Peoria, Illinois (www.nwoods.org).
