“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord don’t you care that my sister has asked me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me!” - Luke 10:40 (NIV)
Martha and Mary were sisters very opposite in characters. While Martha is the busy get- on- with- it type, her sister Mary is the more reclining- why-hurry type. Elsewhere we see Martha after the death of the brother Lazarus challenging Jesus, “Lord,” Martha said, “If you had been here my brother would not have died” (John 10:21, NIV). Mary is meanwhile in the house seating with mourners.
In all families these characters are quite normal to find. Perhaps one could say Martha is the more aggressive and pushy type. Mary could be the quieter and observant type.
Now the thing is we need both characters: an action oriented Martha who gets on with the job and a quieter more reflective Mary, who prayerfully waits on Jesus. For this is actually how the kingdom of God works with roles for each one of us, and none of less value: “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purpose but some for common use,” (2 Tim 2:20, NIV).
Let each one of us find that role and let’s work harmoniously together to build His kingdom.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth that I use the gifts you have given me for your glory.
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24/04/2024 - 25/04/2024 All day“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4)
Premier Joseph and King David have a particular common characteristics: two individuals who were blessed with success, in their work. When Joseph was taken into the household of Potiphar, “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant” ( Gen 39:2-4).
Even when he was imprisoned later, on false accusations, “The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there” (vv 21-22). Later in his life he is made second in command of Egypt by Pharaoh. “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).
For David, after he disposed off Goliath, “Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army” (1 Samuel 18:5). His success on the battle field would soon cause trouble for him when the troops started singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (vv 7).
In spite of Saul’s anger at the comparison and even trying to kill him, for David “in everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns” (vv 14-16). Eventually, the throne would pass on to David.
Success in life is one of the blessings the Lord has marked out for believers. These individuals were successful because the Lord was with them. The only one who does not wish to see success of us, is the enemy Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). May we pray that our lives are characterized with the anointing of success, because the Lord is with us!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that I bask in your success, in all that I do, because as was with your servants Joseph, David, Daniel and others, you are with me, and this I pray in Jesus’ name.
