Standing on the promises, penned last just century by Russell Kelso Carter, are a great and simple reminder of Biblical truth that anchors us. Carter wrote this reminder near certain death from his failing heart. And so it is, brothers and sisters, that when our bodies fail us, when our society fails us by casting their approval upon and promoting sin to the detriment of the godly, when we fail ourselves by our own sinfulness, we can still stand and the steadfast promises of our Lord. This is the same truth the author of Hebrews relates to us:

For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Notice especially in which our hope is founded: God’s promise. And notice also that he guaranteed this with an oath. This is no mere human oath founded upon an ocean of capriciousness. This promise is by almighty God whose purpose is unchangeable.

Our unbelief and filth separated us eternally from the holy God. But Christ came and entered into the presence of God on our behalf to satisfy that justice and wrath that demanded us to be forever outside the inner place. What an anchor for our soul! What a secure promise to stand upon! When all else fails us, this is what we may stand upon.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.


Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,I’m standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.