The Bible tells the story of God’s love for us and His promise to always be with us. This classic hymn extols the many promises of a better life that we can count on if we truly believe in Christ.
About the composer
Russell Kelso Carter was born on November 18, 1849, in Baltimore, MD. He was an excellent athlete as a young man. He graduated from the Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1867 with a degree in Civil Engineering and taught science there for a number of years. It was while he was teaching that Carter wrote our hymn of emphasis, Standing on the Promises.
A man of varied interests, Carter was a prolific writer in the fields of religion, science and mathematics. He was a practicing physician for a time. And, he assisted A. B. Simpson in the development of the hymnal entitled Hymns of the Christian Life published in 1891. This hymnal contained several of his tunes and texts.
In his book The Atonement of Sin and Sickness, Carter modeled the following confession: “I only prayed, O Lord, make me sure of the truth, and I will confess it; I have nothing to do with consequences; that is Thy part, Jesus has the keeping part, I have the believing and confessing.”
Jesus has the keeping part. I have the believing and confessing.
Russell K. Carter in The Atonement of Sin and Sickness
Now let’s look at the inspiring words to his hymn.
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.
Refrain:
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.
The phrase “standing on the promises” occurs twice in each verse and twice in the refrain. So as we sing this hymn, we repeat “standing on the promises” a total of 20 times. Carter obviously is emphasizing our reliance on the promises of God.
For this hymn meditation, I want us to examine some of those “promises of God.” Many books have been written on the promises of God and one scholar who studied this topic found over 8800 promises in the Bible. So, this will be a small glimpse into that vast ocean of promises and assurances from God.
As you read through these verses, I hope you will make a concerted attempt to identify and claim the promises contained in these words from God.
Beginning the Christian Life
Let’s begin with what is probably the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16. But, we must also consider the “flip side” of that promise as we see in verse 18.
John 3:16-18
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
What we see here is one of many places in the Bible where God’s word indicates that at the end of the day there are but two human conditions: condemned and not condemned, perishing and eternal life. This is both a wonderful and sobering promise for each of us.
How do we obtain eternal life? Let’s look at the next promise from Ephesians.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2: 4-10
What we see from this text is that eternal life is a gift from God. We don’t earn the gift; we receive it from God. The promise is that God will seat us in Heaven with Christ so that He can demonstrate to us the wonders of His grace in the ages to come. While we are here on earth, He promises to do good works through us. These good works don’t earn us salvation . . . they are the result of our salvation!
Repentance and forgiveness
Pentecost was one of the three major feasts of the Jewish people. Therefore, all Hebrew males were expected to celebrate this special day in Jerusalem. Chapter 2 of Acts records the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus when the disciples began to speak in foreign tongues. The reality of uneducated Galileans speaking in many different languages created quite a commotion. Some accused them of being drunk.
Peter, who was now the leader of the Apostles, came forward to explain the situation and to preach the gospel. Many of those hearing Peter speak were guilty of the most serious crime in world history (killing the Son of God). However, Peter told them they could be forgiven and receive eternal life if they repented and put their faith and trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. The promise was that they, their children and those far away would receive the Holy Spirit. It would come to all those called by God.
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2: 38-39
Given time and space constraints, we will now simply look at some the great promises that are relevant to living the Christian life. Then we will move to the third and last phase – finishing our earthly Christian life.
Living the Christian Life
Reflect on these promises as they pertain to our daily lives and deepening faith.
Christ brings a new life
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Your advocate forever
If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.
John 14: 15-17
You will bear much fruit
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15: 4-6
Forgive and receive forgiveness
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14
You will be with Christ in glory
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3: 1-4
The humble will be exhaulted
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 18: 11-14
You will have peace in your heart
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 6-7
God is steadfast in His love
28 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.
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 28, 37-39
You will be equipped to do good
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3: 16-17
You can avoid sin by following God’s word
I have stored up your word in my heart,
Psalm 119: 11
that I might not sin against you.
Christ will see you through to the end
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1: 6
Finishing our Earthly Christian Life
Eternal life is the ultimate reward
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-17
I will never forsake you
5b As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
9b Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1: 5, 9
I will rescue you
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46: 4
I am with you always
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Psalm 23: 1, 4
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Each of us will face judgment
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10
I will prepare a place for you
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.
John 14: 1-4
Closing thoughts
As we conclude this meditation on the promises of God, it is most appropriate to look at one final promise found in 2 Corinthians.
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1: 20
All the promises of God become true for those who are in Christ. If we have accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord, repented of our sins, and are trusting Him, then All the 8800-plus promises contained in the Bible are true for us (because we are in Him).
My prayer is that we will experience those promises in our lives.
Amen!
Hymns for Him 