“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
One of the mysteries of our lives in Christ is the fact that God already knows our future, and it is a good future! There is a certain tendency that can encroach on any of our lives to be upset by things that are not going to our expectations. It could be a rough day at work when a job is lost, as is so common now during the pandemic.
For some the natural tendency is not only to worry but push mountains to get it all sorted. Our efforts to correct whatever has gone wrong is all right and, in fact, could be God’s plan to wake us out of slumber (Proverbs 6:6). Yet what we should never lose sight of is nothing comes as a surprise to God. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV). All this is to say nothing comes as a surprise to the Almighty God. This is why He has called us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, and present your request to God” (Phil 4:6).
And that includes the most mundane of things. When the Lord Jesus reminds his disciples, “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body what you will wear. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6: 25-27), He is simply saying, I am the Lord and in control, so chill.
So today whatever might have upset you, is making you unusually restless, perhaps has filled you with fear and worry, maybe even regrets, just rest in in the knowledge that in the scheme of things nothing comes to God as a surprise concerning even the least aspect of your life. He has promised in His word that He has a good future for you, and that should be your focus. Just, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord the maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion” (Psalms 134: 2:3-4).
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the precious name of Jesus that I do not focus on the present situation that will pass but the good future in you and knowledge that everything is under control!
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!
