“But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches by glory in Christ Jesus” - Phil 4:19 (NIV)
Much as the early generations of believers preached a gospel of don’ts; today, apparently we have moved to gospel of haves. Back in the day to be a believer was to deny oneself all the worldly things - but now the mark of a believer has often been characterized with acquisitions of stuff. The more one has and flaunts wealth the greater the indication of God’s work in his life.
There is a problem here though. What happens then to those believers who are going through trials for purposes of building up their character! Must our relationship with God be judged on material acquisitions?
There is no point in disputing that ours is a giving God! He has chosen whom to bless and many are those. But God in his wisdom and design has also chosen to withhold certain wants from some of us because there are other blessings He cares for most. These may be intended to build us up and bring one closer to Him, which is the more important thing.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that I know my relationship is not dependent on mere having but on knowing you!
Related upcoming events
-
28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
