“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his hear to dull to hear” - Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)
A rope can serve many useful purposes. For instance, ropes are used to tie up loose ends and hold bulky items together. Ropes can form a scaffold useful in building. Sometimes a rope can be thrown out for one at sea and used to pull such back to safety.
Once the Apostle Paul was caught up in a situation where he was being pursued for arrest due to his preaching. “In Damascus the Governor under King Aretas had the city of Damscenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in a wall and slipped through his hands” (2 Cor 2: 33-34). A rope had played a useful purpose.
Sometimes though we can be at the end of our ropes, where it is not the case of being thrown a rope to pull us back to safety. After King David’s son overthrew him forcing him out of the palace he was clearly driven to the end of his ropes, being thrown all types of abuses( 2 Sam 16:8). But at that desperate point in his life David decided to look to God and cry out: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe” (Psalm 61:1-3).
At his lowest moment David did not lose all hope. He goes on to add, “Increase the days of the King’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him” (verse 6-7). And finally David declares, “Then I will sing in praise of your name, and fulfil my vows day after day” (verse 8).
When we are at the end of our ropes, the example of David should surely inspire us. When all hope is lost let us look up to the Almighty God, to throw us a rope of His own to glide us back to the shores of life.
Prayer for today : Lord Father in heaven, where I am at the end of my ropes, I look up to you trusting that you will throw me the rope of life!
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
