“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” - John 8:36 (NIV).
Once two little children were out at play and found the rope they needed for a tug game had a knot. Much as they tried they just couldn’t figure out how to unloosen this knot. It was one huge puzzle that had them desperately sweating.
Eventually one decided to drop the rope with its knot and look for another game. But just then an idea brightened up with another. He picked up the rope with its knot, and looked for grandpa. See, it did not take seconds for grandpa to unloosen the knot once it was placed in his hands! The children, quite amazed; happily rushed back to play. Grandpa had all along been watching, standing in the shadow, and eager to help out.
Now, it is common to find knots in life. There can be knots found in one’s work or business, hindering any movement ahead. Much as one can try on one own the knot remains firm in place.
Knots can also bind life. Certain people have their lives tied up with knots that hinder them make progress. These could be knots of anger which has locked one down into a fuselage, quick to blow up at the slightest provocation. There can be knots of addiction that have made one’s life hopelessly enslaved. Some people are tied down with knots of jealousy which has blinded them to fail appreciate all the blessings in their lives.
Jesus often came across people whose life had been shriveled by knots. Once, while going about his work, there came a woman who “had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped” (Luke 8: 43-44). This woman pushed herself against a crowd and touched the cloak of Jesus. He stopped and turned to the woman who came down at his feet, “Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (vv 48).
Should you have noticed that you are dealing with a knot that seems against all effort not to go away, before you drop the rope, why not take it to Jesus. It can be amazing what seems impossible and has taken years troubling you, how the Lord can unlock it in a moment. All you need like the bleeding woman is have faith.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I bring to you the knots in my life, that you unloosen and free me, to walk in your full blessings, 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.
