“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Being interrupted is not something most people would wish. Say you are headed somewhere, are behind on time and suddenly the car tyre has a puncture. This could be an interruption causing unnecessary inconvenience which would make the punctilious person fret with worry.
But wait a minute there are quite a number of instances where God interrupted someone on a journey for a good purpose. It was on the road to Damascus intent on a mission to kill Christians that the Apostle Paul was interrupted and saved (Acts 9). On his way back to his country Jacob was interrupted when he wrestled with a man whom he would not let go until he blessed him. “Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there” (Genesis 32:29).
Then there’s the prophet Balaam who was interrupted on a journey for something else. “Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again” (Numbers 22: 24-25). The Lord had to make a donkey talk to get Balaam’s attention (v 30). “The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me” (v 32). Balaam finally got it and had to turn back and go on to fill the Lord’s purpose as He intended.
Any of us might be speeding out on a journey we feel we can’t do without. Suddenly an interruption comes from nowhere. It could be a clear voice from God warning us from proceeding. Perhaps there is a certain urgent matter putting our plans on hold. Maybe it is a natural disaster like coronavirus pandemic. What then should be our attitude?
Let’s pause and listen to God. For then He might not have to make a donkey talk, if only to get our attention, and just for our good.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of creation, today as I go about my tasks, may I listen to your voice and be open to any interruption from you, as you lead me along, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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24/04/2024 - 25/04/2024 All day“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4)
Premier Joseph and King David have a particular common characteristics: two individuals who were blessed with success, in their work. When Joseph was taken into the household of Potiphar, “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant” ( Gen 39:2-4).
Even when he was imprisoned later, on false accusations, “The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there” (vv 21-22). Later in his life he is made second in command of Egypt by Pharaoh. “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).
For David, after he disposed off Goliath, “Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army” (1 Samuel 18:5). His success on the battle field would soon cause trouble for him when the troops started singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (vv 7).
In spite of Saul’s anger at the comparison and even trying to kill him, for David “in everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns” (vv 14-16). Eventually, the throne would pass on to David.
Success in life is one of the blessings the Lord has marked out for believers. These individuals were successful because the Lord was with them. The only one who does not wish to see success of us, is the enemy Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). May we pray that our lives are characterized with the anointing of success, because the Lord is with us!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that I bask in your success, in all that I do, because as was with your servants Joseph, David, Daniel and others, you are with me, and this I pray in Jesus’ name.
