"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16
The above verse gives three things that ought to characterize the life of a Christ follower. First, we should never let the enemy take away joy from our lives, as we rejoice in all circumstances.
This is not to deny the realities of life! That, on occasion, believers do encounter those devastating situations that seek to deprive of them joy, there is no doubt. The children of God are always a target from the “wiles of the devil” who seeks to “kill and destroy” and are not immune to life’s upheavals. But joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit ( 5:22). Also, being joyful is one of the greatest deterrent against Satan whose mission is to rob believers of their joy, which none should allow.
Second, we are urged to pray without ceasing. Of course the life of any Christian will experience those dry patches, some set of difficult circumstances or perhaps distraction, when prayer is not as forthcoming. Do not give up on prayer for it is the gateway to all your desires. By praying without ceasing, it means that at any time of the day or anywhere we should be free to share with the Almighty God our hopes, fears, anxieties, joys and cares. Through Christ Jesus we have that direct access to our Father in heaven who is patiently ready and willing for us to unburden our hearts and longings.
Finally, we should give thanks in all circumstances. One might say, “easier said than done” for indeed there are those situations that may face any of us, of which it is difficult to give thanks. There are deaths in families and one can be done poorly by those they once trusted. But the Christian rejoices in all circumstances because of the faith in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for all those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to His purpose.”
While in the immediate short run, it may be humanly becdifficult to appreciate a negative event, we thank because we know our God never fails.
So, for today, in our lives, let us decide to be joyful, be thankful and pray without ceasing.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I am reminded by your words to be joyful and with thanksgiving be steadfast in prayer for you are my Lord, comforter and the source of my victory, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
