In 1989 a devastating earthquake flattened the country of Armenia, killing over 30,000 people in less than 4 minutes. In the midst of the confusion that followed, a father left his wife securely at home and rushed to his sons school, hoping for the best but fearing the worst. When he arrived, he discovered to his horror that his sons school had been flattened by the massive earthquake. While surveying the rubble, he remembered a promise that he had made to his little boy. Whatever happens, Ill always be there for you. The situation looked hopeless, but he just couldn’t take his mind off that promise. He remembered that his sons classroom had been in the back right corner of the building, so he rushed to that spot over there and started digging through the rubble. Other grieving parents arrived, crying for their children. Some tried to pull the man off the rubble saying, Its too late! Theyre dead. You cant help. Even a police officer told the grieving father to go home. But courageously he proceeded alone because he needed to know for himself whether his boy was dead or alive and because of his promise. No matter what, Ill always be there for you. He dug for 8 hours, then 12, then 24, then 36. Finally on the 38th hour he pulled back a large boulder and among the remaining rubble he heard his sons voice. He screamed, Armand! The little voice answered him, Dad, Dad, its me. Then the boy added these priceless words: I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that you would save us because you promised Dad. You promised me that that no matter what happened youd always be there for me. You did it. You did it, Dad! Our entire belief in God is based on His promises. In the scriptures, we read about a loving heavenly Father who has made to you many precious promises. Promises that tell us that our needs are taken care of, that our sins are forgiven, that we will never be overwhelmed beyond our ability to bear, and he has promised the gift of everlasting life. What sets these promises apart is that God is the One who has made them. God has the power and the integrity to fulfill each and every promise He has made. And like a loving Father, God cares for each and every one of us and He has promised that whatever happens He will always be there for us. Even as the world around us quakes and crumbles, our Heavenly Father stands by His promises. Stand your ground and never give up on Him! 2 Corinthians 1:20-21 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (NKJV)
