"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand" - Psalm 40:2 (NIV).
Have you ever felt you were viewed as a nobody, and when it came to picking names for a cast of some fun, out there, yours came last, if you were even remembered. All have heard of Cinderella, the girl of apparent misfortune, whom none thought mattered to take her to the ball and meet Prince Knight. Her family thought she was a nobody!
When Prophet Samuel was assigned the task of looking for the next King of Israel after God had rejected Saul he visited with the household of Jesse. At first he saw Eliab and was struck by his royal appearence. "Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord" (1Samuel 16:6). But that was not the Lord's choice. "Then Jesse called Abinadab" (vv 8). Again he was not the Lord's choice. Ultimately, "Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these" (vv 10).
Almost despairing, Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (vv 11). This is when Jesse lazily remembered some forgotten lad out there in the bush. “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep" (vv II). Once David showed up, "Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one" (vv 12).
A nobody is someone who is perceived as of no much use. He seems not to count. Hee is pushed out of the house and eats from the lawn. He is passed as others seem to get ahead, leaving him behind. A nobody.
But God is in the habit of lifting up nobody's from the wilderness up to the throne. May you not be discouraged where you are, apparently forgotten. One day out of the blue God will lift you up. A nobody who became somebody.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, for any situation where I seem not to count, I look up to you, for you will one day lift me up, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
