“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” ( John 10:10).
One of the blessings of the life of every believer is being prosperous. This is a given the moment one accepts Christ as a personal savior. God has a plan for everyone of his children and it is a good plan. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11).
Much as this is a fact believers must always be on alert for there is that enemy who seeks to steal this prosperous life away from them. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy seeks to deny believers of their prosperity through dirty schemes including robbing them of their possessions. “The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” ( Job 1:7). And clearly this was not a picnic walk.
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” ( verse 9-11).
To protect this prosperity not only must believers be on guard but constantly pray for that hedge over them. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” ( Psalm 34:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, you who has willed all your children to prosper and take possession of the land, I pray for your blessings over the work of my hands and that because of your love and promise you shield me with your hedge!
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
