“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” – (Psalms 27:13).
When David wrote the above Psalm it is clear that things were not well. Even though it might be difficult to determine the exact point in his life, we can be certain this was one of the many low moments he suffered.
From being anointed King when he was a boy and defeating Goliath (I Sam 16: 1-13), David would later on be pursued by King Saul who could not stand him. “David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh” (I Sam 23:15).
His troubles did not cease on the throne. In power David would lose his son as a consequence of causing the death of an innocent man. The prophet Nathan said, “…For this reason the son who was born to you will die” (2 Sam 12:14). Then as if that was not enough later David would be dethroned by his very son Absalom and forced into exile (2 Sam 15-19).
Sometimes we tend to picture the Christian life as one rosy experience. We even query where a Christian suffers some setbacks. Yet if anything the lives of many believers are characterized with low moments- just as David knew. What kept David’s head above the storm was the knowledge that in the end the Lord would deliver him, as He always does. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, when faced with low moments I look up to you to lift me up, for you are my Lord and Savior, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
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08/05/2024 - 09/05/2024 All day“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
The culture of sharing gifts runs through scriptures and is at the heart of the Gospel. Upon realizing that Jesus Christ had been born the three wise main did not just go empty handed. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mathew 2:11).
When Jacob decided to return to his country, he went with gifts to soften the heart of his twin brother Esau, whom he had left maddened at him for various wrongs. “Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys” ( Genesis 32: 13-15). The reason was, Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp” (vv 2—21).
Esau was already a wealthy man and had no need of the gifts presented. But Jacob pleaded with him. “Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift” (Genesis 33: 11). This symbol of good touched Esau, brightened his heart, burying the old acrimonious relation.
Taking after these two instances believers should be in the habit of sharing gifts. We should visit each other not empty handed but like the wise men with gifts, not so much that those we are gifting are lacking, but as a way of blessing them. Proverbs 11:25-26, says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Most importantly we bless each other with gifts because we have received the most important gift there is in life, the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the most precious gift of all that you gave me of eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and so I pray that I may not hesitate to share this gift and bless those with as much whom you enable me to meet, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
