“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way” - Romans 13:14 (NIV).
A stumbling bloc can be compared to a road bloc standing in the way to a destination. During the days of some of the worst regimes in Uganda encountering a roadblock was a most dreaded experience. One could be detained and kept back, till possibly mercy prevailed and let go. There were those who were not so lucky. Stopped and held back at a road bloc, that was the last they were ever seen. A road bloc was a stumbling bloc for one eager to travel around the country.
Jesus once rebuked his disciple Peter after he raised a certain matter, “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Mathew 16:23). Elsewhere he also castigated the religious leaders of the day for putting up conditions that hindered others from knowing God, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Mathew 23:13).
The Apostle Paul once noted that one believer could also become stumbling bloc to another, like where he indulged in a certain matter that caused distress to another. Knowing that the eating of meat was an issue for some he cautioned the mature believers, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Cor 8:9). What Paul is here noting that there are certain things we could indulge in at the expense of fellow brethren, and why stress the matter, just give it up for the sake of mutual edification.
Personal relations can be strained because of a stumbling bloc that has come in the way. For example, a certain brother might have hurt another, and is owed an apology. Yet, by failing to consider saying “sorry”, perhaps making light of the situation that caused offense, his pride becomes a stumbling bloc.
Then there is also the sharing of the Gospel. While a preacher could be doing everything right there might be those close to him, not warming up to his sermon, because there is matter that has becoming a stumbling bloc. “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,” Jesus advised, “leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Mathew 5:24).
What is the stumbling bloc affecting your relationship with God? Perhaps, it might help to look around and see if there is any, and deal with it.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, help me deal with that stumbling bock in way of my knowing and experiencing your goodness, this I pray in Jesus’s name
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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.
