“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).
Waking up to bad news has become a constant feature of our lives in the pandemic era. On one day one hears of rising deaths in the distant parts arising out of the virus. Then closer home graphic images of filled up mortuaries are shared widely. The message is run for cover.
There is a saying that bad news sells. What is interesting is that rarely does one get good news of those who have recovered, who are definitely in the majority. As of June 24, 2021, there were around 180 million global cases of COVID-19. Around 165 million people had recovered from the disease. There are many deaths, and of concern, but the recovery rates are far higher than news of gloom. Of these global cases just about 3 million have ended up as fatalities.
And, then, all around us there are stories of dedicated health workers working with scarce equipment to bring healing to the sick. But these stories are far few and sparse. For some reason, there are those who prefer spreading bad news that stalk fear. Well, bad news, after all, sell.
Yet, unfortunately bad news can also cause depression. A constant dose of bad news does not bring cheer to the soul. It can be discouraging at the most. Proverbs 17:22 points out, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
One way to overcome bad news is by countering it with the word of God. In the midst of bad news we have some refreshing and soothing words of hope to cling to. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us, Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Then Psalm 147:3 adds, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
May the word of God continue to encourage us all.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that where I encounter bad news I draw upon your rich word to give me comfort and hope, because of the faith in your son, Lord Jesus!
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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
