Sermon

The Promise Book

Theme

God's promises

Object

A mail order catalogue (preferably one with toys.)

Scripture

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalms 37:4). "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:1).

Well, Thanksgiving is over and now the countdown begins...the countdown to Christmas. I remember when I was a little boy, when Christmas starting getting close, I would get out the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalogue. We didn't call it that, we called it the "Wish Book."

I would get the "Wish Book" and I would head straight for the toy section. I would look through the "Wish Book" and dream of all of the toys that I wished Santa would bring me for Christmas. If I found something I really wanted, I would leave the catalogue open to that page and lay it on the coffee table in hopes that mom and dad would see it and get it for me. Come to think of it, I've played that same trick on my wife a few times.

I have another book with me this morning, but it isn't a "wish book!" It is a "Promise Book." The Bible is full of God's promises of what He will do for us if we will just ask Him. That doesn't mean if we make out a wish list of things and ask Him for them, He will give us everything we want. God knows that what we want isn't always what is best for us. He does promise that He will supply all of our needs and that if we delight ourselves in Him, he will give us our heart's desires.

I'm glad that I don't have to leave a wish book out on the coffee table for God. He knows what I need before I even ask Him.

Lord, we thank you for your goodness. We place our trust in you to supply all of our needs. We ask you to help us to find our joy in you so that you may grant our heart's desires. Amen.