“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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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
