“The words and promises of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.” Psalm 12:6
As a young sheep herder, Russell Carter developed a serious heart condition and felt that if God did not heal him, he would surely die. Russell grabbed hold of healing promises throughout scripture, fervently taking his stand in believing God for his complete and total healing. Russell did indeed experience that healing and vowed to be used by God in any way the Lord wanted. He later went on from sheep herding to become a professor of Natural Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry and Mathematics at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, where he had been a graduate. It was there that he wrote the well-known hymn, “Standing on the Promises of God.” Later, Russell Carter went on to study medicine and become a practicing physician, all for the glory of God.
In Genesis 30, Rachel felt discouraged and defeated, wondering when and if God would ever hear her prayer and give her a child. She wanted so desperately to experience the joy of motherhood, yet it seemed it would never come to pass. To her joy, the Lord indeed heard and answered by blessing her with a son she named Joseph, which in Hebrew means “Jehovah has added.”
Today, if you have yet to see a word, prayer or promise of the Lord come to pass in your life, keep standing on the promises of God.