“I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
When the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land it was rather an anti-climax. A journey that had started in the midst of great miracles that had humbled Pharaoh with the devastating parting of the Red Sea and drowning of the chasing soldiers all ended with only two reaching ( Exodus 14:21).
For Moses, lack of enough belief had run him into problems. “But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 1:12).
Earlier, when Moses sent out 12 spies and all but two dared believe they would take on the land of giants, the Lord was angry for this lack of belief. “Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it ( Numbers 14: 21-24).
Here is the point. Belief that our God is able to do more than we can imagine is something central to our Christian faith. This belief is not a blind belief. In the above cases Moses and the Israelites had seen God perform innumerable miracles in their lives and yet still doubted. Likewise, yoylu and I have also seen God perform innumerable miracles in our lives, if we check, carefully. Yet we dare doubt God!
Moses missed stepping into the promised land because he doubted. His was one case. May we too not be denied of ultimate victory simply because we allowed disbelief to have the better part of us. Let’s believe that the God who has got us wherever we are is one who never fails.
Prayer today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as I look back and see all the miracles you have wrought in my life I know nothing is impossible with you because of the belief I have in you, 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!
