“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” - Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
One day a group of parents gathered around a table and every one of them happily shared how he was planning for the best for his children. One thought of sending his kids to attend overseas university after high school. Another wished that after going through a local university they would opt for a foreign one, too. Mostly, they had the means and thought sending them out of the country was the best gift for the kids they loved. “This country’s education is bogus!” one said and all seemed to agree.
Nothing wrong with all that. But just then one parent asked, gently, “Where are we putting God in all this! Do we realize that for some of these kids actually God may desire for them something else!” Nervous silence followed.
The tendency to figure out all things using our means is quite common. Certainly for those who have the means it often does not occur to them to seek God’s hand where there are able. Yet God might have a different plan as he has for each one of us.
After a while all the parents agreed that while it was good to have plans, the most important thing was to pray and seek God’s direction. One could find out that God was directing each child to a different course altogether. And who would doubt that God’s plans are the best!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven today I pray that I put you first in all my plans.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
