Dream The Promises

A few weeks ago our little Anna was baptized.  It was a really special time for our family to celebrate God's faithfulness to his promises.  It was a joy to take these vows before the congregation: 

• Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?

• Do you claim God’s covenant promises in (her) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for (her) salvation, as you do for your own?

• Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (her) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (her), that you will teach (her) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring (her) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? 

I love the language of "in humble reliance upon divine grace." Our prayer as parents is that we would rely on God's grace for raising our daughter and that we would model what it means to abide in the love of Christ. It was so special to watch Drew baptize Anna and introduce her as the newest member of the covenant of faith.  After the baptism I had the privilege of singing a song that Drew wrote the words to and our friend Steph wrote the music to.  The words are beautiful and we look forward to singing this song to all of our kids!  

You were made for life fantastic

His image in your form,

All creation, sings ecstatic

To see her steward born

Slow in wrath with love abounding

While our fresh offense still stung

Though the close of Eden's gates were sounding,

His promises of hope he sung

   

Chorus:
So close your eyes and dream the promises

Made by God to his little ones

He claimed your heart before he made you,

Calling forth his daughters and his sons

Born into a deeper story

One extending from the start

You are a bearer of his glory

Born to play your special part

He died to bring the death of death

The grave, it could not keep its hold

Rising redeemed our ransomed breath

and swallowed the night in mercy bold

His promises of gracious glory

Are your foundation in this life

So breathe in deep and step into his story

The unfolding end of death and strife

Chorus 

  

And though you still will feel the sting

Sins’ broken days will not endure

Your life in his, though now limping,

shall shine with glory evermore!  

So come, O city, ever bright

Built on these promises so true

Inaugurate your kingdom's right

That all of this will be made new, 

That all of this will be made new!     

Chorus