A few years ago, I attended a business seminar at which the subject of "trust" arose. As an example of how we should trust one another, we were divided into pairs. One person stood in front of the other with both facing the same direction. On the count of three, the person in the front was to lean back and allow the other person to catch him. This was very difficult to do, because the one in the front could not see the person behind them, and yet with blind faith, he or she must relax and lean backwards into the waiting arms of another.

For me one of the dynamic messages of the Bible is that God keeps His promises. From Genesis to Revelation, we see example after example of God making a promise and fulfilling His promise. Whether it was a reward or a punishment that God said He would deliver, He did what He said He would do.

God told Noah to build the ark and He would make it float. Noah acted with complete faith that the creator of the world knew how to build a boat, even if there was no water. I often wonder if, after the flood, Noah had to resist a temptation to reload the boat every time a few drops of rain fell or whether he did blindly trust in God's rainbow covenant.

It is exactly because of men like Noah, Daniel and thousands of others whose stories are recorded in God's word that I can believe that my Heavenly Father will give to me all that He has promised. I can lean back and know that God will catch me when I fall. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for me: I believe it. He said He would come again: I believe it. He promised me life eternal: I believe it. Is this blind trust? No. I have the evidence of God's word; the assurance that God keeps His promises.

Prayer: O Lord, teach us to walk in the knowledge of Your promises and the certainty that we will receive that for which we hope: to see You face to face one day. Thank you for the gift of Your Son through whom we have received this blessed assurance. Amen.

I recently attended two funeral services. They had several things in common: both were for elderly people who had died after long illnesses; both individuals were parents of people with whom I work. There the similarities end.

One person was a non-believer; the other was a Christian. One died reluctantly, hanging on to this life with angry words. The other died literally reaching one hand toward heaven, while his wife, holding his other hand, was praying. One died with a grimace; the other with a peaceful visage.

The funeral services were different also. At one there was a small crowd of mostly family to say goodbye. It was a sad affair lacking in hope. The second service was attended by hundreds of people in a small town, and was a celebration of a life spent in the Lord's service.

Both people will be missed by friends and family, but those who attended the second service were filled with hope and gladness for a brother who had left a world of pain for a better place. For like Jesus' friend, Martha, the people saying farewell to their brother in Christ trusted in the words of our Lord: He is the resurrection — and those who believe never die.

Prayer: Lord, please help us to lead our daily lives so that we may someday receive the fulfilment of your promise of life eternal with you. Amen.