“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” - John 15:13 (NIV).
A young man was desperately in love with a girl, or so he thought. But his love had actually turned into some sort of monstrous jealousy. He kept trolling her, trying to make sure she was always in his grasp and there was no chance for a rival. He always found a way to get into her phone to unlock all her secrets.
The problem with this approach was that the more the young man tried to control the young lady the more she turned her away. Eventually she withdrew from him altogether. This made the young man so desperate, and he thought of doing her harm that he had to be taken for counseling. There he was told that “if you love someone you must let them go! What is yours will always come back to you.”
Such is God’s love for us. It is not a controlling love. God’s love for us has let us free to go about anywhere we hazard, just like the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-31). He lingers back waiting for us to return at any hour. Then His arms are all outspread for us, happy to be back home.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that I grow in the knowledge of your unconditional love.
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
