“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself” – (1 Cor 6:19).
Almost all of us know when something is yours and of value you take good care of it. Among cattle keepers one of their most precious possessions is of course a cow and given maximum attention. There are art collectors in the world who pay prime prices to acquire art works that they keep in safe custody because they know they will appreciate in value. A local Luganda saying goes, “Ekye’beeyi kya’ beeyi!” Loosely translated, “what is of value is of value!”
Now one of the most valued object anyone can think of is our bodies. Of course the importance of any body is quickly grasped when any falls sick. Most of us will go at great lengths to treat our bodies back to full health.
It is in this regard that anyone of us does well to look after his body. It is lack of good stewardship when something that has been given to you and of value you treat it so carelessly. “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).
Unfortunately, we tend to exhibit the contrary. This we see, when among others, we deny our bodies of the right nutrition or at the very opposite, feed ourselves carelessly all manner of excess, like addictive drugs and intoxicating beverages, which ultimately ruin our health. When one fails to exercise his body it is starved of the power to remain vital. Failing to practice good hygiene by living shabbily invites in all manner of disease. In brief we are being bad stewards.
To treat our bodies right is to honor God. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). When we treat our bodies right then we glorify the God who created us. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you who have given me a beautiful body, which is your image, today I pray to give it proper care, watching what I eat, exercise regularly, practice good hygiene, take proper rest, to live joyfully in abundant health and be all the more effective in serving you, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
