“As a soothing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered; and I will prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. And you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the land which I swore to give to your forefathers” – (Ezekiel 20: 41-42).
The nation of Israel where Moses led the Jews and on which most are settled today is not on a very fertile stretch of land. At least compared to Uganda! Ours teems with abundant loamy soils, evergreen vegetation, and flows with endless rivers while enjoying abundant sunshine. On the contrary half of Israel is a desert, with only one fresh water lake, the Sea of Galilee, There is only 20% of the land which is arable. Israel lacks a two year rainfall cycle and periodically suffers from draughts, the most recent as long as five years.
However, out of the sand dunes, the descendants of Moses, started agricultural cooperatives known as kibbutz, from which they have built one of the most productive nations. Israel is now a leading global producer and exporter of fresh fruits (including matooke) and flowers. No wonder they have been fighting for that land since days and once it was restored to them in 1948, after a war with the Arabs, they now guard it jealously.
This cannot be said of gifted Uganda or many nations in black Africa. As we all know our natural wealth is being plundered day and night by robbers who dig out all the minerals and export them for other people elsewhere to enjoy. Unappreciative of what we have the inhabitants of much of black Africa have rendered theirs to waste through give away land sells, deforestation and wanton neglect. Left landless many of the children of Africa have since scattered to other “rich” lands exporting the needed skills to make theirs just as productive.
Perhaps one day this truth shall dawn on us all, to realize the blessings we have, and remember to take good care of what the Almighty has given us to enjoy. “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything” (Deuteronomy 8:7-10).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of creation, of heaven and earth, as you gave your people the land of Israel to love it and honor you, I pray for the same of this land here, that we who have been so blessed with, may love it, as much, take good care of it, rather than abandon it, and, and to enjoy the fruits and blessings of the land!
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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!
