“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1 (NIV).
Anyone who has travelled to the Far East will quickly notice how most people there are never shy of revealing their faith. In a hotel I was once booked in while in Thailand the entrance was lit with Buddhist idols that were fed and worshiped every morning. Hindus everywhere love to put up portraits of their gods in their shops which they ask for blessings. So often shrines are tucked somewhere in their shops encircled with bright incense.
The unabashed mix of faith and public life seems to strike many Christians as odd. For example, how often have we found believers clearly pointing out whom they believe and trust for success in their business or office life? The faith of most believers is kept as a secret that even the Bible, the book which is a source of their inspiration, is kept far out of view. A number when asked to pray will not dare pray in the name of Jesus Christ because, well, they might upset someone!
For this we must then wonder why many Christians are exceedingly reserved in revealing their faith! We know there are many African ancestor worshippers whose compounds are pictured with huge shrines. Unless they have chosen to be secular, Jews are very open with their faith and the more orthodox ones wear a cap called Kippah.
The scriptures do ask, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). When Christians are shy or rather apologetic of sharing their faith, in open spaces, preferring to keep it at arm’s length in their work, it is rather unfortunate, especially given its power to bless as many.
While outward symbols do not add anything to one’s faith they in themselves are a sign of confidence to the world as to what one believes. Perhaps Christians too, other then keeping their Bibles hidden somewhere, or crosses shrouded and only to be found locked in churches, may rise, too, and feel free to show to the world what they believe, just as many other faiths do anyway.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God in heaven, thank you for saving me through your son Jesus Christ and may I go out today to gladly share they joy of salvation.
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!
