"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits"- Psalm 103:2 (NIV).
There are nations around the world that are big on celebrating anniversaries. Though the norm is to celebrate victorious days such as Indipendence Day; for the nation of Israel, there are significant memorial days that throw light on her relationship with God. For instance, there is the seven day Feast of Tabernacles. During their days of captivity God performed many miraculous wonders, enabling them survive through the harshness of the desert, that it is only expected.
In our individual lives God has also performed for each one of us wonderful deeds that it would be well to remember and acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, every now and then. There are good reasons. Remembering the good things God has done for each one of us is one way to build up our faith. Indeed the Israelites after their long sojourn were specifically instructed, "And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day"- (Deuteronomy 5:15).
We all come from far, don't we! One of the best things we can do for us is to have that moment when we pause to look back on all God has done for us up to this point and give praise to Him. If not humbling, this will strengthen our faith by lifting up our spirits as we look to greater days ahead with our God. "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old"- (Psalm 77:11)!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, when I look back at my life and all you have done for me, how grateful am I and full of praise, for you have been amazingly so good to me that I look forward to greater days, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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18/04/2024 - 19/04/2024 All day“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-7).
Once a certain gentleman saw a small mount of soil rising in one of his sparsely used bed rooms in his country house. He went back to the city unbothered. Upon his return he was shocked to find that what was once a small soil mount had grown into a huge anthill almost blocking the entrance. How did it get this big!” he whistled with disbelief.
Anyone who has leveled anthills knows that you need to dig up one down to the very bottom and seize the queen ant. So, in this case, it meant he had to excavate to the very foundations of the house. It was a costly venture involving destroying much of the original infrastructure.
So, what had begun as a small foothold in his house almost caused the gentleman to lose his entire beautiful country house. After all was done, he regretted why he had not attacked that small mount of soil the day he had spotted it but then ignored. He would have saved himself all this huge cost.
When the Bible cautions us, “and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27), it is not speaking of some big and overwhelming sin that is gripping a believer. Just as with that soil mount a foothold starts as a small poisonous seed dropped into one’s life appearing harmless at the start. But ignored it gradually grows into one huge tree with deep roots that to uproot it a life may go with it altogether.
For Believers there are all kinds of footholds. It could be unwholesome little talk spaced with curses. Sometimes it is occasional dabbling into harmful alcoholic beverages or dangerous drugs. There could be that small habit of helping oneself with company funds against policy. There is also that seemingly innocent peep into porn sites, after all, no harm!
Ignored, the once small foothold gradually extends into one huge and terrifying mountain, not that easy to level as it now completely controls its victim. To level it down would come at such a stiff price. For this reason, do not take lightly any temptations that come your way. The moment you give the devil an inch you are in for a long ride!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I pray to guard myself against any foothold the devil might trap me with, to live a victorious life in Christ, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
