"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" - Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV).
Everyday there is someone going to undertake a job interview. Usually any person can find themselves in a situation where they are competing against prime candidates. Compare that to a small school without any record of achievement being lined up against a giant of academics. There are places in the world where if you came from Ivy League university college someone from a less known country university hardly stands a chance.
After God had rejected Saul there happened to be a sort of job interview for the next King (1 Samuel 16). So, as it were, Prophet Samuel approached Jesse, a father of some potential candidates. Jesse's first inclination was to point to his elder sons. And why! They had apparently far vaster experience to meet the bill.
"Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” "There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” (I Samuel 16:10-11). Once David belatedly showed up, in his herdsboy ragged attire, "Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one" (vv 12).
Here is the deal. You could find yourself faced with a formidable interview of sorts. Ahead of you are giants of renown. Maybe it is a business tender and you are competing against global brands with deep pockets. But then, if God has chosen you, fret not. For just as David did not need much of an interview because he was picked by God, so will it be for you too, as you place all your trust in Him!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, faced with an uphill task, ahead of me, I look up to you, placing all my faith in you, to make a way where there is no way, this I pray in Jesus's name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
