“and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” - Psalms 50: 15 (NIV).
Prophet Moses, King David, Apostle Paul have all one thing in common. It is called courage.
When Moses walked up to Pharaoh Remesis, the monarch whom he had fled from forty years ago, terrified of him, and spoke up to him, “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:2); that was a courageous moment. The king of Egypt could have unleashed all his weapons against him there and then. But Moses stood firm.
King David was only but a youth who decided to go up and face a mighty giant called Goliath terrorizing the Israelites. When he saw him approach, Goliath, “looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” (1 Samuel 17:42-44). David must have had courage not to flee.
When as a prisoner, Paul was brought before the Chief Priest and all the members of the Sanhedrin, he dared them without flinching, announcing, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day” (Acts 23:1). At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to slap him. But Paul stood firm. “Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” (vv 2-3).
Courage has been defined as “the ability to do something that frightens one”; it is bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. A person might be outnumbered yet refuse to balk down. We come across courage in ordinary life situations where a bully using his power pushes out the weak, only for one small fellow to stand up to him.
Moses, David, Paul and a cast of Biblical stars had courage because they knew the power of God. After he had stood firm against the chief priest and the Jewish elders, “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).
We all need courage in the face of battles, some which appear overwhelming. But if we look up to God as these did, He will provide courage to stand up to whatever and emerge victorious.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for courage in the face of all obstacles, knowing that your power is greater than all the forces in the world, this I pray in Jesus’s name
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11/05/2024 - 12/05/2024 All day“Now God has caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1:9)
It can be said with certainty everyone in life would like to be favored- especially from God. Favor brings opportunity and comes with blessings. The Bible has many people who were indeed favored and the blessings on their life is clearly evident.
We have Joseph who had favor upon him whether working for Potiphar (Gen 39:5); down in jail (Gen 39:21); and finally being elevated as prime minister of great Egypt. When Abraham was 99 the Lord appeared to him and blessed him, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly” (Gen 17:1- 8). Mary was selected among all women as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28-33).
Perhaps here one may ask, but how does one receive favor from God?If we may look at the above and other examples of those who were greatly favored by God, like Noah from the Great flood (Genesis 6:8), or Moses to lead the people of Israel (Exodus 33: 12-17), it was not because there was anything remarkably good in these people. Neither was perfect yet God showed favor upon them. The reason is, “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
A clear characteristic of those who receive favor is humility. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and those who tremble at my word.” As the preacher Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God shows favor to those who seek his favor by loving Him, respecting Him, honoring Him, and by taking delight in His word.”
We can receive favor by asking God. Psalm 119 says, “I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:58). And God is calling us to have our hearts in tune with Him, for, “the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).Today, pray and walk in that assurance of being favored of the Lord Almighty.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you in humility to ask of your favor to bless me in all that I do, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
