I know of someone who often complained why he never received visitors, as often as others. Trouble is those who visited this gentleman were normally entertained to a harsh tongue full of spite. In this gentleman’s household there was always something to cry foul at: the bad weather, the poor hygiene all around, the nature of his house which builders had messed up, the exploitative government, children’s poor grades, the lack of people keeping time, just about everything. Never had he room to find something to praise.
But then, what was the situation with his neighbor. Well, this other person who lived a block away had a lot to smile at. There were her kids who were at school, the weather that brought good food, the work of her hands, her sweet neighbors she could share the gospel with, and more! There was a lot to thank God for.
Often life is a choice. We can choose to go about snipping and quarreling about this and that. Many times we end up with a depressed company around us. Or we can choose to be gentle with ourselves and find something good every day to be thankful for, remembering it is he, who gives life. Let us be like Job who in his distress still found a word of cheer: “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit” Job 10:12.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, help me have a cheerful spirit full of praise and that lifts up the spirit of those around me as a witness of your love!
Related upcoming events
-
19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
