“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” - John 1: 12-13 (NIV).
Gen 4:9 says, “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” We know Cain and Abel were the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain, the firstborn, was a farmer, and his brother Abel was a shepherd. Cain was bitter that God favored Abel's sacrifice more, and he consequently murdered him. So he replied, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Perhaps, one could say, that Cain had not been directly charged with looking after his brother Abel, so maybe his denials. However, the questioning implies that God expected it of him to look after his brother.
In the Christian faith once we receive Christ we all become members of God’s family (John 1: 12-13). This in a sense implies we are all keeper’s of each other, as is naturally expected among family members.
Now there are certain things expected of a keeper. For example, if one has not been seen for a long time, a keeper should be concerned. Sometimes it is so easy to assume that all is well in one’s life, when one needs help of some sort. Keepers look out for each other. They pray for one another. And where one falls into some trouble or goes through a difficult patch keepers do not just gossip off handedly. Thy look for solutions together.
God is calling us to be our brother and sisters keepers. This could start in our immediate biological family, where we certainly must look after each other. But more so, within God’s family, we are all each other’s keepers! As 1 Corinthians 12:26, reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together..”
Prayer for today: Lord Farther God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I am reminded that I am my brother and sister’s keeper, and so I pray to be ever on the lookout for my brothers and sisters, as members of God’s family, this I pray in Jesus’s 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!
