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9th December 2025
TuesdayReflection
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Nancy Ruegg
has been blogging faithfully at
'From the Inside Out'
"God, Our Promise Maker"
Tucked here and there throughout scripture are more than 2,300 promises that God has made to his people.
To be honest, sometimes his methods and timing don't make sense to me.
I have to remind myself that finite minds can't expect to understand the all-knowing, far-reaching work of a righteous God
He also works outside the limitations of time, in the realm of eternity.
That means some of God's promises may not be realized in my lifetime.
However, I can be confident of this: He has the future perfectly planned out, to accomplish the highest good.
Our part is to take God's promises to heart.
Promise-Takers stand on the flawless word of their Promise-Maker, even when they see no sign of fulfillment-yet.
With King David they aim to stay confident:
Nine times in Psalm 145, David used the word, "all" to describe the totality of God's attributes and their far-reaching impact.
My knowledge of boat parts is limited, but this much I know: throw an outboard motor in the water; it will sink.
Throw a propeller in the water; it, too, will plunge to the bottom.
So will seats, cleats, and other parts.
But when they are assembled together on a strong hull, the boat floats.
Similarly, our lives are comprised of a variety of experiences: some heavy and hurtful, others light and joyful.
When properly assembled as a whole, they create a life that floats, and one that's headed on a course toward worthwhile purpose.
No one sails through life problem-free.
Accept the reality that troubles will come, then apply those strategies that provide relief.
Be watchful for God's blessings in spite of the circumstances, and thank him for his loving attention.
Gratitude does indeed transform attitudes.
Find fresh strength in God's Word, especially in his promises and assurance of his faithfulness to keep those promises.
We can ask God to help us set new, worthwhile goals, then look forward to the day when those goals will be met.
Get in community with other Christians-not just by being present, but by actively participating.
Years ago while I was dealing with an ongoing disappointment, Sunday morning worship on the praise team and mid-week rehearsals did much to recharge my spirit.
(Not that all was smooth sailing in between! I still struggled to stay on an even keel; but with God's help I didn't stop trying.)
A boat that floats is not built by just lining up the various parts in the boatyard.
It requires the hands and expertise of a master boat builder, to craft a skiff of beauty, function, and purpose.
A satisfying, meaningful life cannot be achieved by mere acceptance of the various events in our lives.
It requires the hands and expertise of the Master.
He takes all of it-the delightful and the demoralizing-to craft a life of beauty, function, and purpose.
As I set the dish washing soap down on the counter, a small cluster of bubbles burst from the open top.
Playfully they danced upward in front of the window. And I didn't just smile; I giggled.
Memories associated with bubbles floated through my mind as I watched those drifting bubbles - memories of our children, and now our granddaughter - gleefully capturing bubbles that family members provided for their popping pleasure.
To this day, a rainbow - even a rainbow on a bubble - is a reminder that God keeps his promises.
The grace with which bubbles move brings to mind the grace of God.
He, too, moves in gentle ways within our spirits, like a loving shepherd tenderly gathering the lambs to his heart (Isaiah 40:11).
Perhaps God's whole intention for creating bubbles (and many other phenomenon in nature) was to grab our attention and turn our thoughts to him.
So the next time bubbles escape from the bottle of the dish soap, you may wish to send up a prayer of praise, as they merrily bob through the air:
But why wait for serendipity bubbles?
Take some of that dish soap and create your own!
Revel in the sparkling light, the whirling rainbows, the graceful dance ...
... and worship!
This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'Nancy Ruegg'
has been blogging faithfully at 'From the Inside Out' since November, 2012
She writes weekly (on Thursdays) and each of her posts contain photography and highlighted scripture graphics
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