Alice's Promise

Alice's son went through a stage of rebellion during his teen years. She and her husband grieved and had a constant unrest during that time.

One morning during her devotions she read the account in Luke 7 of the widow of Nain who was leading the funeral procession of her only son. "When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, 'Don't cry.' Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother" (Luke 7:13-15).

Those words awakened her faith, and that promise became hers. It was as if Jesus had said to her, "I know that your only son is dead also, and I am moved with compassion toward you. I have the power to raise him up and to give him life. Trust me." Praise and prayer were the automatic responses of her soul.

God's Word had become rhema to her. A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation. When our faith is awakened by hearing the Word, that promise becomes ours to continue to believe until it is fulfilled.

Alice maintained her confidence in the assurance she received that day. True to His Word, Alice had the joy of seeing her son repent of his rebellion. Later he became a pastor.

Dear Lord, I ask that the Holy Spirit speak to me through Your Word so that I can apply it in a fresh way.