“but during the seventh year let the land lie unploughed and unused” - Exodus 23: 11 (NIV)
For a great many people the lockdown that was effected during the corona virus epidemic was the worst thing that could ever have happened. Aside from those who were concerned for being denied of the means of production and livelihood, a perfect and worthy concern, some others were restless only because they wanted to be out there doing stuff.
All throughout our lives many of us are ever on the go. We rise up early and hit the road to chase deals. We enter the rat race fighting our way to the top. For some of us we return home late at night and hardly ever spend time with our loved ones, after all we are out there working for them.
But then came the lockdown. For the first time we had now to sit down and let the world be. If ours was the notion that nothing could go on without us being there here was a humbling moment.
Now in some instance against our insistence we would find that after all sitting back and resting was a good thing for not just our beaten bodies long denied of a good rest but also our families. For long ago God had decreed that even the land on which we eke our living should be let to rest, so that it can be rejuvenated to yield better harvest.
To rest, pause, let things be, sit back and hear from God, is therefore a good thing.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that wherever you will I do every now and then hold back, rest and hear from you.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
