“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” – Psalm 139:14 (NIV).
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how life could all of a sudden be snapped away. Just as it were there is also the ever present monster of motor accidents which on occasion take life suddenly. It is one thing to see a person full of life but to lose the same person in an instant can be more than devastating. Perhaps by nursing the person long before one can come around with the idea of life going, which is not the case with such sudden deaths.
Because medical science has advanced and with good care of our bodies now we can see in advanced nations like Japan the centenarian population edging over 70,000. But even then, on the whole the words of scripture remain true, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. Soon they disappear, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).
Life is a gift from God. As Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” On one hand it is tempting to feel one has all the power with life but in reality our control is very much limited.
King Solomon once wrote, “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them-for this is their lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18). We should enjoy life where we have it. Later he concludes his long reflection with an enduring advice, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This we do, because, all of our life belongs to Him.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God, creator of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the gift of life, and may I cherish it, as a treasure, for only you know the number of my days, which all belong to you, this I pray in Jesus's name!
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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!
