"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
There is a saying that behind every successful man there is a woman. Well, let's say someone behind. This saying is quite clear in the life of King David. He was just another herds boy but then one day someone powerful saw something in him that no one had seen.
The story starts when his father, Jesse, sent him on an errand to deliver a snack to his warrior brothers out on a battle field. His eldest brother, Eliab, on seeing him was not so amused. "When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle" (I Samuel 17:28).
Well, what a put down! As far as Eliab was concerned David was just a small lazy boy far down the pecking order. This is not though how Samuel had seen David. Earlier, when the eight sons of Eliab had been presented before Samuel for him to annoint one as King none would fit the bill. Samuel asked Jesse if that was all. Lamely, he remembered the last born. "So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one" (I Samuel 16:12).
The Samuel who appeared in David's life is there for all of us He is someone influential whom God sends to annoint success to his own. Where others see no value this Samuel comes and sees something no one had seen!
If you have been discounted, much as David was once, know there is a Samuel down the road. Along the path of life pray for that Samuel to appear, for he comes to make a difference in your life!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for the Samuel in my life, who will see value in me where none sees, for your annointing for success, this I pray in Jesus' name.
~ Dr Martin M Lwanga
www.africanchristiancommunication.org
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
