“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:11).
Almost everyone is aware of that fiery Biblical incident, “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). Cain had just murdered his younger brother Abel, something he thought was all out of view, only for the Lord to bring to his attention that he was actually meant to look out for him. He would suffer consequences for that. “Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” ( vv 11).
If there was a relation which clearly showed what the Lord here had in mind there is that of Jonathan and David. As the son of King Saul, Jonathan was in direct line for succession and could have seen David as a rival. Instead he made a pact to watch his back. “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself'’ ( I Samuel 18:1-3).
This was not just for passing. At one point Jonathan would put his life in danger for his brother. When Saul made his intentions very clear, he objected, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him” ( I Samuel 20: 32-33).
But why does all this count to us! God has placed brotherly relations around us for a purpose. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” ( Proverbs 27:17). Further, we are reminded, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” ( Mathew 18:15). This means that where we notice a matter of concern if someone is truly your brother in Christ go and share that concern with him confidentially in person, other than just letting it pass or worse still, carelessly discussing it elsewhere, only to cause greater harm and hurt in the end!
Unlike Cain, lets resolve to be “our brother’s keeper!”
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you have given us brothers and sisters in Christ, that we may lift up one another and watch out for each other’s back to your glory, and may you help us to be always conscious of this, for your kingdom’s glory, this we pray in your holy Almighty name.
Related upcoming events
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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!
