“For through him we both have access to the Father by one spirit” – (Ephesians 2:18).
Usually when a child in a family has been promised something and happens not to receive it two things can happen, depending on what type of family. If a child has a poor relationship with his father built on fear he might just shrug, bottle all in, and move on. He fears if he speaks up things might get even worse.
But in another family where a child has had a good relationship with his father he would be free to wonder aloud in his presence and plead his case. The father would patiently listen, possibly explain and might even change his mind. This is because the two have a personal relationship built on trust.
Likewise our relationship with God is not built on fear but trust. For example, on many occasions when Moses was faced with a situation contrary to his expectations he would go to God directly and plead his case. There was a moment when God was angry with the Israelites and wanted to destroy them all for doubting his power. Moses pleaded with God against this course of action. “If you put all these people to death leaving none alive, the nations who have heard all about this report would say, “The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness” (Numbers 14:15-16).
God listened to Moses’ cry and changed His mind. The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them as you have asked..” (vv 20). Here we see that Moses had the confidence to go to God and plead his case. We also note that God heard him and did not destroy all the Israelites as he had earlier said.
As Believers in Christ we have a relationship built on trust and not fear with our God. If in the course of our lives something goes contrary to our expectations we too just like Moses can access Him through Christ and plead our case. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will he hears” (I John 5:14).
Today if there is a course of your life that has not gone to plan, perhaps you have a need not met; do not just walk away, with a cold shoulder. Rise up and go to God, cry out to Him and plead your case. Plead before him like King David: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake, out of the goodness of your love, deliver me” (Psalms 109:21). Ours is a God who through His son Jesus Christ has come down to meet each one of us at our point of need.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you with full confidence, bringing to you all my needs, even that situation troubling me, that you may show your mercy and bring victory to me as your child, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
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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!
