“Blessed is the man who has remained steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, ESV).
The way babies take their first steps has many lessons even for adults how to grow in faith. For every child to start walking begins with taking those faltering steps. In my local language there is a saying that a bull only grows after suffering heavy blows. The child falls. Then rises, quite unfazed, to begin taking those steps, because he has his sights set much higher. Someday he makes it, a bit bruised but only because he never gave up. The struggle becomes worthwhile.
Much so, even the Christian faith, has many faltering steps and obstacles along the way. These could be struggles with beliefs of our faith. There can be personal challenges like loss of a job or failure of a business. A believer may suffer continually from bouts of poor health. Hopes and expectations in people can be dashed. Any believer may face opposition or persecution on account of sharing his faith in the market place.
The believer like the baby who falters must be willing to rise up again and again because he has his sights on a much higher goal. What makes always people give up so soon on any task is when their goals are so much low. But those whose sights are set on something much higher than themselves do persist. The Apostle Paul once encouraged the believers in Corinth by reminding them, “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4: 8-9). All thiis because we know there is victory at the end. We keep marching.
Prayer for today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, whenever my faith is beset with all manner of challenges may I persevere as my sights are set on a much higher crown, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
