“So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” - Romans 11:5(NIV)
Anyone who has travelled through Europe will notice how church attendance is at all-time low, with some buildings standing as mere monuments. This though contrasts with many churches thriving here in Africa often filled to capacity.
In their day and time these cathedrals would be filled with worshipers but now have since become corner joints for occasional tourists to trek through to observe their beautiful architecture. The congregations have all but dwindled down to a handful.
Few as they may be we should not lose the fact that actually Jesus predicted such a time as this- when men and women will abandon faith and start chasing myths. The comfort though is that actually these churches are not completely empty- everywhere there are a few remnant- who are holding the fort. Few as they may be!
So, how about you and I! Are we going to be part of the herd that has fled the church? Or, are we going to be part of the remnant who hold the fort, till the Son of Man returns!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that with your Holy Spirit I remain steadfast and true to your church!
Related upcoming events
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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!
