“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1 (NIV).
Anyone who has travelled to the Far East will quickly notice how most people there are never shy of revealing their faith. In a hotel I was once booked in while in Thailand the entrance was lit with Buddhist idols that were fed and worshiped every morning. Hindus everywhere love to put up portraits of their gods in their shops which they ask for blessings. So often shrines are tucked somewhere in their shops encircled with bright incense.
The unabashed mix of faith and public life seems to strike many Christians as odd. For example, how often have we found believers clearly pointing out whom they believe and trust for success in their business or office life? The faith of most believers is kept as a secret that even the Bible, the book which is a source of their inspiration, is kept far out of view. A number when asked to pray will not dare pray in the name of Jesus Christ because, well, they might upset someone!
For this we must then wonder why many Christians are exceedingly reserved in revealing their faith! We know there are many African ancestor worshippers whose compounds are pictured with huge shrines. Unless they have chosen to be secular, Jews are very open with their faith and the more orthodox ones wear a cap called Kippah.
The scriptures do ask, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). When Christians are shy or rather apologetic of sharing their faith, in open spaces, preferring to keep it at arm’s length in their work, it is rather unfortunate, especially given its power to bless as many.
While outward symbols do not add anything to one’s faith they in themselves are a sign of confidence to the world as to what one believes. Perhaps Christians too, other then keeping their Bibles hidden somewhere, or crosses shrouded and only to be found locked in churches, may rise, too, and feel free to show to the world what they believe, just as many other faiths do anyway.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God in heaven, thank you for saving me through your son Jesus Christ and may I go out today to gladly share they joy of salvation.
Related upcoming events
-
28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
