The day was Wednesday, December 7, 1988; and the temperature in Armenia, a former, Soviet Republic was freezing. In the cold of that morning, Arman helped his wife, Milena, in getting their son, Armand ready for school. The temperature was 160F, and for some reasons, Armand did not feel like leaving the comfort of their home for school that day; but somehow, the father’s promise “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you“ gave him the strength and courage he needed to leave home that day.
Hours later, at about 11.41 am a devastating earthquake struck the region and almost wiped out the city of Spitak. What remained of the elementary school in Dzhrashen, southeast of Spitak where Armand attended was a heap of rubble. Weeping and wailing was heard across the city by parents that survived the quake, whose children were crushed under the rubble.
In the midst of that total ruin and confusion, Arman securely left his wife at home and rushed as fast as he could to his son’s school, only to be welcomed by a pile of debris of a building that was once his son’s classroom. In shock, and tears pouring down his cheek, and remembering his promise and commitment to his son: “No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!” Arman immediately began to dig and pull through the rubble, moving aside broken beams and rocks as much as he could while other parents watched hopelessly.
One of the other parents asked Arman, “What are you doing?” “Digging for my son,” Arman answered. The man then told Arman, “you are going to make things worse! The building is not stable, go home”, he tried to pull Arman away from the rubble, all to no avail.
Arman did not give up but kept on digging. As time went by, the other parents left the site, one after the other. As it was getting dark, one of the rescue workers tried to pull Arman away from the rubble, again to no avail. Arman simply looked at him and ask, “are you going to help me now?” That worker quietly left and Arman continued digging.
Throughout the night and into the next day, Arman kept on digging through the rubble. Other parents came and place flowers and pictures of their children on the ruin, but Arman kept digging. At a point, people thought Arman had lost his mind, and thus, other well-meaning parents tried to pull him off the rubble, again to no avail, as Arman would not give up or give in to their plea. Others told him to simply be brave and face the reality of life and go home because it was too late, the children were already all dead, and that there was nothing Arman or anyone else could do about it. But none of those words made any meaning to Arman as he continued on his digging.
As Arman courageously continued digging alone, suddenly at the 38th hours of his relentless effort, as he picked up a beam pushing it out of the way, he heard a faint cry. “Help! Help!” the voice cried. Arman cleared the way a bit wider to listen more to be sure of what he had heard and the direction from which it came. Suddenly, he heard a muffled voice calling, “Papa, is that you?” Behold it was Armand’s voice.
On hearing his son’s voice, Arman dug even more frantically; and finally, he could see his son.“You did it, Papa, I knew it,” shouted Armand with joy. With a sigh of relief, Arman yelled out to his boy, “come on out, son”.
“No, Papa!” replied Armand, “let the other kids out first, because I know you’ll get me! I know, No matter what, you’ll be there for me!”
One after the other, the other children came out, and finally, little Armand emerged. As Arman took his son in his arms, Armand said to his father, “ I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me and that when you come, they’d all be saved; Papa, you did it.” In the midst of that darkness, death, and confusion, little Armand had unwavering trust in his father. He took his father by his words. Armand was full of confident that no matter what, his father would sure keep to his promise, and he sure did.
Because of one faithful father, fourteen children were saved that day. How much more faithful is our heavenly Father! Whether trapped by fallen debris of sin or ensnared by life’s struggles and hardship, God’s faithfulness is always sufficient unto us. He is a promise-keeping father. He is always true to His promises. He is always dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and unfailing. His faithfulness is far beyond comparison.
It does not matter what you may be going through right this moment, based upon his promises, our God is faithful to see you through it all. Oh! I so much love the way the Amplified Version writes out those promises of His: “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” – Hebrews 13:5b AMP. Now, that is a promise!
Yes! There are struggles on your ways. Difficulty and challenges abound in your life. But the good news is, His hands are still holding you. He is a promise keeper; He is always true to His words. It is in His character to never fail on His promises. Moses tested and proved this to be true, which is why he was bold enough to pen this down for you and me, to serve as a booster to our faith and confidence in God, our father: “Know now then that the Lord your God is the only true God! He is the faithful God, who keeps the covenant and proves loyal to everyone who loves him and keeps his commands – even to the thousandth generation!” – Deuteronomy 7:9 CEB. You have to believe that!
When it seem as though God has tarried with His promises upon your life, and the enemy comes with diverse thoughts to shift your stand with God, I implore you to please remember that: “God is faithful [He is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP. He has never forgotten about His promises to you; neither has He or shall He ever forsake you if you keep on standing. He is far more “FAITHFUL” than Arman. His faithfulness can never be compared to any other for there is none like Him.
Just like Armand, no matter what you are going through, in the midst of the darkest hours of your life, when confusion seems to take over the front seat of your life, please don’t throw in the towel. Don’t give up and don’t give in. All you need to do is simply “Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:5 CEB. Indeed, it is the time to repose your unwavering trust and confidence in God, because you have your father’s promise!
