May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel (Psalm 69:6 NIV).
There are two possibilities for a prayer like this.
The first one can be sin. In the previous … Read the rest
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me (Psalm 119: 67, 71, 75 NIV).
There is good in afflictions. … Read the rest
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, … and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand (Isaiah 53:10 NIV).
We stand on holy ground as we meditate on this verse. It talks about the suffering of Jesus. His suffering is described as the fulfillment of … Read the rest
Who is this who darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? (Job 38:2 NIV).
Job spoke much in his suffering. We too speak much in our suffering. It is a natural human reaction. Quite often this kind of talk is emotionally charged.
Sometimes these speeches rage against God though those who suffer may not intend … Read the rest
They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people (Jeremiah 26:23 NIV).
Who was this Uriah? He was a prophet who lived during the time of Prophet Jeremiah. Uriah also prophesied the … Read the rest
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10 NIV).
Gold is precious. It is beautiful. It is of great value. It is cherished by one and all. Why is this so?
The reason is not difficult to find. Pure gold is got … Read the rest
Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it, his horses do not grind it –(Isaiah 28:28 NIV).
Bread is the final product we get after a lot of processes. And from this process that God has … Read the rest
The hurts of life are painful.
And the agony of some life-experiences are like volcanic lava that boil and occasionally erupt under great pressure.
The suffering is real.
And words of comfort or care from your dearest may not wipe away those tears.
The question is: Can God?
The first thing to note is that, … Read the rest
Life is not easy. The life of faith not easy at all.
In my Sunday School days I grew up fascinated by stories of young David killing Goliath, Daniel unharmed in the den of lions and the dreamer Joseph becoming Prime Minister in Egypt.
As I grew up I also dreamed of becoming such a … Read the rest
Open doors in life mean opportunity, progress and promotion. But unexpectedly certain open doors close. It leaves you desperate. Then you cry out, “O my God, where are you? Is it all over for me? Open one door for me. Give me a sign of your goodness.1”
This cry comes from desperation. … Read the rest
