“Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me” (Psalm 7:8)
Sometimes there are events that beseige us, perhaps too overwhelming, and we are lost of hope. We beat ourselves hard for we are not at fault yet here we are at sea.
Such a situation was experienced by Jacob who had to flee to exile to save himself from the wrath of his elder brother Esau after he had leapfrogged him to receive blessings meant for the first born (Genesis 27).
Jacob’s mother advised him to flee to his maternal relatives and it appeared like his Uncle Laban was happy to receive and shelter his nephew. Yet after Jacob had expressed interest in his eldest daughter Rachel, not only was he tasked to labour for her hand for seven years, when he woke up after wedding, he found he had been tricked. “When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” (Gen 29:25).
Jacob was tasked to work for another 7 years to get Rachel. By then he also had started to long going back home. For some reason Laban had become nasty. He bonded Jacob and refused to release him at will. Jacob had actually to escape and again flee without his knowledge ( Genesis 31).
But in all God was with Jacob. He had married the girl he loved and had been immensely blessed with wealth. When Jacob finally settled back home he must have looked back at all his trials as worth it!
Like Jacob, you too may be going through some rough seas, faced with a cruel situation that makes no sense. Like Jacob, endure and remain faithful, for “He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause. Wait patiently for the Lord! Wait confidently for him!” ( Psalm 37: 6-8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through the trials of life may, I hold on to you, for you vindicate the righteous, and may all the glory go to you, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
