“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” - Psalm 16:8 ( KJV)
There is something about certain African mountains- like the glorious Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa. For any who has ventured close they rise out of sweeping valleys and stand elegantly above their surroundings glittering with velvet snow caps. Ever a beautiful sight, on certain occasions there is a mist or fog that blocs the view of those in the surroundings, but once all melts away, there are still up standing and glittering high above. Anyone can be sure of looking up and seeing their peaks protruding still, a magnificent tower of glory.
Because these mountains are high up there are often attacked by savage and forceful winds coming from all directions. In spite of all the wind power they remain unmovable. One might even venture to say there are used to being savaged by winds matching with certain power, which they gently cast off. Mountains are not that easily shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2 says, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” This is how our faith in God should be- like that of mountains! The winds of trials may come and attack us but we cast them off, gently. Times may change; but we remain standing tall.
The Kikuyu and Chagga people nestled at the foothills of these gigantic mountains have something in common. After the winds have blown and passed they look up and there they see those elegant mountains still standing, as has been for generations. May such be our faith.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as Psalm 27:3 says, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident”; today I pray that my faith rises as strong as a mountain rock, because I take refuge in you, and whatever trials or upheavals I stand unmoved, this I pray in Jesus’s name
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
