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Moment of Birth and Not Give Delivery?

“Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God (Isaiah 66:9 NIV).

This is a question that we need to give careful thought to. It reveals one important characteristic of God’s dealing with His children.

It brings to light the fact that God does not disappoint after bringing us to the very brink of accomplishment. He performs what He has promised.

But we often doubt. Our hearts often beat restlessly even when we find God’s hand evident in the step by step developments that take us closer to our accomplishment.

Yet it is when we near the goal that we tend to doubt God more. That is right where we forget the fact that it was God who brought us thus far.

That is why God asks this important question. It shows His unchanging nature. He is not somebody who gives us false hopes. There might occur delays. But at the right time He acts. When that time comes you cannot stop God. He fulfills the expectations of His children.

And this question that He asks reminding us of His nature should put our hearts to rest. We should learn not to doubt God. But instead we need to develop a peaceful assurance and expectation that what His hand has brought thus far, He will also bring it to pass.

The practical lessons from this question from God are very important. It teaches us that no matter what forces are acting against you, the things birthed in the power of the Spirit of God in your life, will be brought to completion.

You need not waver to proceed forward even though the outer circumstances look very bleak and unpromising. What you need to do is to be bold and decisive in moving forward.

Let others observe the confidence in you that is born out of the assurance that God will perform for you what you expect of Him. This is especially true when His hand has arranged all the circumstances in favor of your accomplishment.
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A Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies … Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:10,30 NIV).

A wife of noble character. She is a young man’s dream. No scheming of his can bring him such a wife.

If he can place his dreams and expectations about his wife in God’s hands and wait in eager expectation, God will reward him with such a godly wife. There is no other method by which a young person may be gifted with a godly wife.

An young man has to first learn that such a wife’s worth is far more than rubies. The world may place a premium on a girl’s good looks, education, possessions, status and cultural heritage. These all may have their own value.

But they are nothing compared with being godly. There is a blessedness in desiring and having a godly wife. Indeed they are worth far more than all the riches the world can give. The noble qualities of such a wife cannot be valued at all.

If a young person seeks for a charming wife, he will get such a girl. If he seeks a beautiful wife he may be able to find such a girl. But as he does so he should remind himself that charm is deceptive. Behind her charm could hide a lot of charmless things that shall eat into the life of his marriage.

And he should remind himself that beauty does not last for all ages. It fades as years pass by. Then his wife shall be no more look attractive as once she did. But if she fears God, that increases her attractiveness as years grow by.

Therefore let every young man look for a godly wife who fears the Lord. And let every young woman make herself most attractive by fearing the Lord. Such a wife deserves praise!
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The Lord God Almighty Is His Name

He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth–the Lord God Almighty is his name (Amos 4:13 NIV).

Look at the myriad works of God. He forms the mountains. They are a tower of strength. Full of majesty and beauty. Their peaks kiss the skies. They make us look upwards to the heavens. It turns our thoughts easily to God.

Now turn your attention to the winds. Man can feel its power. It can blow gently causing us to enjoy the feel. It can remind us of the love of God coming gently to us.

But the wind can tear the rocks apart when it blows in fury. It can cause the sea to swell and the waves to rise to great heights. It can cause great destruction too. That reminds us of God’s great judgments.

God is also described here in a very strange way. He is described as on who turns dawn to darkness. We are used to God described as the One who creates light.

But here the break of the first gleams of light at dawn is turned to darkness. And this work is attributed to God. It tells us that God is beyond our calculations and the limitations that we place on God.

Finally, it is said that He walks upon the high places of the earth. Though man has stood on the highest places and summits on earth, it has happened only after laborious effort, long planning and continuous attempts. And these achievements were achieved by only very few people.

But God walks upon the high places of the earth effortlessly. These high places tower above us but He walks upon them. The Lord God Almighty is His name!
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Prepare to Meet Your God

Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel (Amos 4:12 NIV).

This is a direct challenge. It calls you to prepare to meet your God. He is going to strike in greater judgments than so far seen. The reason for this challenge is the fact that you have not returned to God even though He had sent token signs of judgment.

You were not willing to learn the lesson that God tried to teach you through previous judgments. Therefore God Himself is challenging you to prepare to meet Him.

If men challenge us we can still have some hope of confronting them and by some device meet their challenge. What hope do you have to meet this challenge of God? Is it possible to be found strong to stand before this God? These are questions we cannot even think of answering.

So the best remedy is to prepare not to meet Him. Do not be surprised at this statement. Stated fully it would read, prepare not to meet Him in judgment.

For He had challenged you to meet Him in the judgment He is going to bring. The best way to avoid that is to return to Him before it is too late. There might still be a ray of hope.

That ray of hope is found in the phrase “your God.” God is still “your God.” He has not disowned you yet. Therefore there is hope yet. Even though He has challenged you, if you return to Him even at this late hour, He will receive you.

He will not continue to challenge you again. For His very purpose in doing so was make you return to Him. Now that you have done so He remains “your God!” That is a blessed thought!
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Like a Burning Stick Snatched from the Fire

“I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord (Amos 4:11 NIV).

What greater mercy can God show you than let you escape from His judgment? Others were taken away when He struck. You too were caught in it. Yet for reasons unknown God spared you.

It was exactly like snatching a burning stick from the fire. Such a stick will bear the marks of the burning. God spared you so that you will know your utter helplessness in the face of His judgment. He spared you to give you another chance to repent.

But have you done so? Is the Lord’s complaint against you be, “Yet you have not returned to me!” Then think about your present situation. Are you still trying to live the way you did so earlier, comforting yourself with the thought that you were spared and therefore will be spared again.

Things in the future may not happen that way. The next judgment might strike anytime. Then you may not be snatched out of the fire as it was done for you last time.

So you need to heed what God is expecting of you. He spared you and saved you to give you yet another chance to return to Him.

Think of His abiding love for you. That is the reason why He snatched you out of the judgment that fell on you. His great aim is to have your attention on His love for you. Think on this. And make an honest effort to respond to His love.

Do not delay. For you may not know for how long God shall delay in sending judgment again. Remember He can overthrow like He overthrew the two sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

You need to learn that God can spare too as He had done for you. But He may not be snatching you from the fire at all times. So return to your God.
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Be Sure You Know the Condition of Your Flocks

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations (Proverbs 27:23,24 NIV).

Be sure! This is a wise advice. Many do not know for sure what is their situation in life. They live in a hit and miss way. But God wants you to be sure. He does not want you to live in an unsure way.

Here He wants us to specifically know the condition of our flocks. Flocks here could stand for that what would bring us an income. If we leave things to happen for themselves it never will.

More than that there is the danger of things slipping out of hand and then we will be left with nothing. Always be sure of the present condition or status of the flocks.

Give careful attention! This talks of our interest in the job that we have in hand. Only if we are thoroughly interested would we have the enthusiasm to show careful attention. Many work in a slipshod fashion.

That means work is done without care or in a careless manner. This is not a godly way of doing our work. We are asked by God to give careful attention to what we are doing.

One reason for this advice is that riches do not endure forever. Riches are never permanent. They can be ours one day. Yet without proper care they might be lost.

Another reason for the above advice is that a crown is not secure for all generations. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. History is full of examples of this kind. That means positions, like riches, are also not permanent.

So we are asked not to trust in riches or positions. But we are called to be very practical in assessing our life situation. We need to be sure of the condition of our flocks. Also we are asked to pay careful attention. That means to work with enthusiasm.

If we do these, then we can be assured of provisions when we need them. They will surely come at the right time when it is best needed.

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Whoever Found Them Devoured Them

Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, “We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their true pasture, the Lord, the hope of their fathers” (Jeremiah 50:7 NIV).

When you sin against God you lose God’s protection on your life. You are then an easy target for the enemy. They fail not to devour then.

This is because when you sin you may be able to hide your sin. Yet its effect is seen in your behavior and conduct before others. You cannot hide that.

Then it is evident that you have forsaken the Lord, your true pasture. Without being fed from this pasture you are now weak. This your enemies understand. Therefore they gleefully attack leaving you wounded.

Your enemies will also furnish an excuse in dealing wickedly against you when you sin against the Lord. Though they know that what they are doing to is wrong they are not afraid to do it anymore.

Because they give the reason that you are suffering because of your sin and your own folly in sinning against the Lord. Thus thinking that they are not guilty in doing atrocities against you, they will multiply their wrongs against you.

It is sad to note that your enemies are more sure about the hope that your forefathers enjoyed with God. But you have forgotten Him. This does not mean that your enemies have faith in God. This also does not mean that they will never be punished.

But it does mean that sometimes the people of this world are more keen in discerning that something is wrong with you and your relationship with God before you even realize it. Therefore they attack because you have failed in your responsibility to God.

So, if people are gleefully devouring you, return to the safety of your true pasture.
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Do Not Say, “I’ll Pay You Back”

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you (Proverbs 20:22 NIV).

The message in this verse needs no explanation. It is crystal clear. Yet is it that simple when it comes to real life? Do we follow this principle when we are wronged? It need to be remembered that we need to practice this for it does not come naturally.

Let us look carefully at the verse. It says “Do not say!” That means we are not even supposed to say to the person who has wronged us that we are going to pay him back for the wrong he did to us. Why?

That leaves no room for God to work. You have already said that you are going to repay the wrong done to you. When you have already taken things into your hands you leave no room for God to act.

Therefore speak not thus. Be very careful because such words come out in a burst of emotion. Then our thinking is paralyzed. So when you are wronged better not speak lest you speak out such words.

The second step is to “Wait for the Lord.” That means that there will be a time-gap between the time that the wrong was committed and God’s action on the matter. Here comes the element of trust.

We are giving up our choosing of the time and manner of action. We are leaving it in God’s hands. And we trust that He will do best because He knows what is good for us in that situation.

It is better and best not to ask God to act in a way we desire. Let God act in His own way.

Then you can be assured that He will deliver you. The manner and method of deliverance cannot be foreseen. But the result of our keeping our mouths shut and waiting for the Lord when wronged against, is deliverance!
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Blessed the Sabbath Day and Made It Holy

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Exodus 20:11 NIV).

The number “seven” is usually associated with completion or perfection. This idea primarily comes from the fact that God rested on the seventh day. He created everything in six days.

And on the seventh day He rested. Not only that He blessed the seventh day and made it holy.

We need to take special note of this fact for God never grows tired. Therefore He did not rest on the seventh day because He was tired. Not at all. Instead He chose to rest on the seventh day.

That tells us that finding rest is very special with God. It tells us that there comes a time when God finishes His chosen work and then takes time to enjoy and appreciate the work that He has brought to come to life.

It tells us that God does things with a sense of purpose and a sense of time. These are two qualities we can choose to emulate in our lives as well.

More important are the facts that God blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. That makes it very special.

Now think about this. God has given us a pattern here about doing our work. He has commanded us to do all our work on six working days. He wants us to take rest on the seventh day.

The question today is not which day you are observing as the seventh day. For many Christians it is Sunday, the beginning day of the week because Christ rose again on that day. That is fine. But what is not fine is that many Christians are busy with work on the seventh day too.

But that is day of rest when God desires us to spend time with Him. Without this rest you lose God’s blessing on your lives because God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. So rest on Sabbath’s because they were created for us to rest.
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Was So Long in Coming Down

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.” (Exodus 32:1a NIV).

God has His own reasons to allow delays in our lives. These delays are sometimes not easy to accept. Because we are generally impatient we need to be assured of every reason why something is being delayed.

Usually God doesn’t assign reasons for His delays. But there are purposes which He has in mind in allowing delays in our lives.

Blessed is the man who can accept delays as coming from God’s hand. Such a person has truly learned to trust God in delays.

Yet with many of us delays cause great problems. We get frustrated easily. Our faith begins to waver. We lose our strength to keep on praying. Yet the danger is yet to come. Like the Israelites we too will start to say, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.”

They said this only because “Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain.” Moses had gone to represent them before God. Likewise our prayers have gone up to God’s presence to represent our needs to Him.

We expect them to come down from God’s presence with answers. And when they are delayed, do we think of making other gods to lead us? Think of this.

We may not make golden calves. Yet every word of discouraging talk that comes out of our mouth is an idol that we create. Haven’t you felt your behavior itself change as you talk negatively when you get frustrated because of delays? Then you talk and act like idol worshippers.

And acting on your own without God’s approval easily becomes sin. But remember that even then your prayers are in His presence. The delay is God’s own choosing. Therefore never commit the sin of making other gods when God delays. The delays will end if you will only wait.
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Shiloh, See What I Did to It

Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel (Jeremiah 7:12 NIV).

Shiloh was the first place of worship for the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land of Canaan. There stood the Tabernacle of God and inside it was the Ark of the Covenant. It was therefore considered a sacred place.

But when the children of Israel gradually forsook God the place was disowned by God. The priests of God also by their disobedience gave reason for Shiloh to be deserted.

The most important lesson this teaches us is that we cannot glory in our past triumphs. We are asked to live in continual obedience. We cannot trust in God’s blessing in the past and live as we like in the present.

God is not bound to our past. He is the God of an ever-present. If He finds us trusting in His past blessing in our lives and not interested in obeying Him in the present, definitely He will forsake the blessing in our lives which we so proudly rely on.

In other words, simply because God revealed His presence and power in our place of worship in the past is no guarantee that He will continue to do so in the present. He will not reveal Himself unless His people continue to obey and love and serve Him, continuously.

God is asking us to consider why He forsook Shiloh where He had first made a dwelling for His Name. It was because of the wickedness of the Israelites. Therefore God will not tolerate wickedness in places of worship set apart to honor His Name.

And when He takes His presence away from these places the memories of former glories will be insufficient to meet our present needs. Moreover He will take His presence away and destroy the present place of worship too.

Because temples and churches are nothing but buildings. Therefore trust not in them but in God alone.
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Now You Will See What I Will Do to Pharaoh

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because he will drive them out of his country” (Exodus 6:1 NIV).

God is not taken aback by setbacks. It is we who get perplexed by them. We need to note that even in the midst of setbacks God’s purposes remain the same. And He will perform what He has promised.

Moses had to learn this lesson before He could lead the Israelites out the land of slavery. He, at God’s command, had asked Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to go to hold a festival to the Lord in the desert.

But Pharaoh refused saying that He did not know the Lord. That was not all. He increased the slave labor of the Israelites.

He asked them to produce the same quota of bricks as they used to. But this time they had to find their own straw. No straw would be supplied them. This increased their misery. They therefore spoke against Moses. And Moses complained to God.

Moses had met a big setback at the beginning itself. Yet God told Moses that he is then going to see what He will do to Pharaoh.

We need to learn here that God’s purposes will stand in spite of every opposition and setback. It will overcome every discouragement and every seeming delay.

The value of this lesson was that Moses was yet to see a ten-fold delay and setback in his attempts at delivering the Israelites. But this assurance from God that he will see God’s mighty hand make Pharaoh release the Israelites he could keep appearing before Pharaoh again and again with the commands of God.

Learn today that God will do what He has purposed. When setbacks come and troubles come, remind yourself of this that Pharaoh’s shall yield before the mighty hand of God. God’s purposes will stand. It cannot be defeated. God’s children shall be delivered indeed.
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Through Your Own Fault

Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you (Jeremiah 17:4a NIV).

Let us face the truth. We can lose what God has given to us to keep as our own. His blessings can be lost.

This is a possibility. There is no advantage in pretending that such a possibility does not exist. But what we often do is that when it does happen and we lose what we had, we blame God or others.

But the Bible is clear about this. You can lose what God has given you through your own fault.

The Bible is also clear as what this fault is. The fault is nothing but continual disobedience to God’s commands. So when you continue in sin there is but one result–that of losing what God has given you.

Many people think that since there is forgiveness with God they can do as they like and finally tell God that they are sorry. But they forget that God is also a God of justice and wrath as He is of compassion and love.

There comes a time when He no longer will yield to the cries of those who continue in sin. Then you will lose what God has given you to keep and enjoy.

That means you need to be responsible with what God has given you. When God gives you something He also expects you to use it the way that He has intended. You can be fully assured in your mind that His way is best.

It is when we substitute our own ideas instead of obeying God’s directions that we end up losing what God has given us. Therefore it is now time to take stock of what God has given you.

If you have been misusing it or has neglected it, seek God’s forgiveness. For that you need to stop continuing to sin. As long as you continue to sin it is impossible for God to bless you.

Therefore stop sinning or else you will lose your God-given inheritance because of your own fault. May that not happen with you!
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The Reason the Dream Was Given in Two Forms

The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon (Genesis 41:32 NIV).

We all need guidance. A Christian life is impossible without getting guidance from God. The topic of guidance is an area where lots of misunderstandings occur.

Many are afraid to trust God because they are not sure of God’s guidance. If you are one of them the above verse and the principle it teaches is of great importance.

This principle is that we should never confirm God’s guidance on any matter unless God confirms it in two forms. Here is one simple example to make it clear:

Imagine that you got a particular promise regarding your situation while reading your Bible. This promise seemed to leap out from the pages of the Bible and hit you with impact. You felt that God spoke to you. But wait. It is not time to act yet.

Now you went to Church the following Sunday. Then the preacher spoke from the Bible taking this promise as the text. Again you felt the impact of the verse hitting you strongly. That is God’s second confirmation. Now you can be sure that God is in this. You can act now.

Though what has been cited is just an imaginary example, it highlights the principle found in the verse above. We also need to remember that God places a high value on a two-fold witness to anything. This was clearly commanded in the Old Testament.

Therefore we can be sure that God will not violate His own Law. He will surely give you confirmation in two forms when you are seeking His guidance. Never be in a hurry to act.

Wait till God gives you confirmation in two forms. That will give you assurance that God has firmly decided what is to be done in your situation. Then you can also know that there won’t be any delay as God is going to act soon!
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The Lord Is Near to All Who Call

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145:18,19 NIV).

Our calling on the Lord is never in vain. Though at times we never hear a response for a long time we can be sure that He is near, always. We need to learn to be aware of His nearness at all times.

We need to learn it because it does not happen automatically. We need to continually remind ourselves that the Word of God promises us that God will be near when we call on Him.

But there is a condition to enjoy the nearness of God. That condition is that we should call on God in truth. It means that we need to have the right motives in our hearts when we call on God.

Quite often we hide our real motives in our hearts and then speak something else with our lips to God. Many times we harbor poison in our hearts and try to speak our requests as sugar-coated pills before God.

When we do not have truth in our hearts and words, God cannot come near to us. Therefore always call on God in truth.

When we thus call on God in truth, God is very much delighted to fulfill our desires. We have to note that there are many desires in our hearts. But many of them are of such doubtful nature that we don’t dare to speak it before God; not even men.

Therefore we can safely say that only those desires that are pleasing in God’s eyes can we present before God. When we do so He hears our cry and He saves us. He does so for those who fear Him. This is important.

Fear here does not necessarily mean trembling in fear. But it does mean the we show proper respect for God because He is God. Therefore let us fear Him and at the same time call on Him in truth and see our desires fulfilled.
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Not to Look Lustfully at a Girl

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl (Job 31:1 NIV).

There are many agreements made in this world. It is usually between two or more parties. But here Job is making an agreement with himself. That sounds strange but it is true. He made an agreement with his eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

The eyes are one of the most precious organs given to man. They help us to understand the reality around us. As we grow up we learn much about our world through our eyes.

The pleasing sights that meet our eyes bring us delight. Yet the very same eyes can become like ravenous wolves if let lose without control.

Job had understood this truth. So he decided to be very careful as to how he looked at girls. He knew that looking at them was unavoidable. Life in a society means that you come across girls whether you want to see them or not.

But he was not saying that he will never look at a girl. What he was saying is that he will avoid the wrong look; a look with wrong motives, and an adulterous or lust-filled look.

This agreement that Job made with his eyes is a good example to follow in our lives. Because we live in a society where we are not discouraged from engaging in a lustful look.

The visual media in its various forms gives wrong suggestions in this regard. And people act that out in real life.

That often results in lustful looks at girls. It also easily leads to other sins of increasing depravity and vileness.

Therefore let us decide to avoid the lustful look and keep ourselves from sin.

We also have to remember that Job made such a decision because he feared God. Therefore he wanted to avoid what displeased God.

Let us also make an agreement with our eyes. It will keep our hearts pure and full of God-given joy!
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He Did Not Remember Joseph

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. When two full years had passed, Pharoah had a dream (Genesis 40:23,41:1a NIV).

A dream and its interpretation was the basis upon which Joseph planned his release from prison. Of course he had done nothing to deserve being in prison.

But that is not the point here. He gave a favorable interpretation to the chief cupbearer about his dream. And then added a recommendation. He asked the chief cupbearer to remember him, mention him to Pharaoh and get him out of prison when all went well with him.

But Joseph had forgotten for a moment that the time for his release was in God’s hands. And we should be thankful to God for having recorded the fact that the chief cupbearer forgot Joseph.

It would have definitely been hard on Joseph. He might have wondered how people could forget so soon. He had actually given the chief cupbearer hope for the future by interpreting his dream; yet he forgot him.

Many times in life we also plan our release from prisons that God has allowed us to be imprisoned in. We know that we have done nothing wrong to be in that situation. So we try recommendations. Yet we find that people forget about us.

But after two full years had passed, something similar to what had happened to the chief cupbearer in prison, occurred. This time it was Pharaoh who had a dream. When none was found to interpret his dream, the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph and told about him to Pharaoh.

That moment was God’s time. To lift Joseph from the prison to the palace. And it also came through a dream and its interpretation. The steps that God orders in our lives shall take us from prisons to palaces only if we are ready to wait for his time.

We also have to remember that a release two years ago would have secured Joseph freedom, but he would never have become the governor of the land then!
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When My Spirit Grows Faint

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me (Psalm 142:3 NIV).

There are times when we lose our physical strength. But there are also times when we lose the strength of our spirit. That is what is described here.

The spirit then grows faint within us. It happens by degrees. It grows until we succumb totally to a faint-spirit within us. We lose courage then. And it happens to the best of men at times. Therefore it could happen to you and me too.

Since it could happen to anyone there need not be any element of surprise if you are passing through such a phase in life right now. But you need not totally lose hope. There is Someone who knows what is happening with you.

Even when you can’t see one step ahead, even when you don’t know what to do the next moment, you can trust the One who knows the way in which you are traveling. And as you trust His knowledge of the way you are taking you can keep pressing forward though progress is painful and slow.

The knowledge that God knows what is happening with you is enough to counter the faint-spirit within you. Knowing that God is keeping watch over your path will give you comfort and confidence.

Especially when people have hidden snares in your path and you are not aware where exactly it is hidden, you can walk on knowing that God will keep you from being caught in it.

Therefore whenever your spirit grows faint within you, think of the One who knows your way. A faint-spirit need not stop you from moving forward because He is watching over you. He knows your way, every step of the way, all the way!
—
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Unless the Lord Builds

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain (Psalm 127:1 NIV).

We need God. The truth is as simple as that. When the master builder Solomon says it we need to take note. And when Solomon who never faced a foreign invasion during his reign and had rest from his enemies says it we need to take note.

The first image that is used here is that of the process of building. A house needs a plan. It needs a foundation. It needs materials. It needs laborers. Yet a building is never complete without God building it.

Solomon is not just talking about buildings here. He is talking about our lives itself. We should be careful how we build our lives. We should make sure that our lives are built upon the sure foundation, God Himself.

Instead of imposing our thoughts, we can ask God what His desire is concerning our lives. And if we allow Him, He will gladly build it all for us. Otherwise, we will be building in vain. That is a sad waste of time, talent and resources.

So allow God to build your life and future. Then it will provide you with comfort and shelter. Moreover it will be beautiful.

The second image used here talks about guarding the city. This is important for within it is your house. As long as we live on earth, there will be invasions from enemies. So building alone is not enough. Keeping it safe from attacks is important. And that requires constant watch.

But even there, you need God. For if you think you will stand watch, who knows whether you will be able to detect all enemy movements! When you stand watch you only know the enemy movement when it has reached you.

But when God watches over you, He knows enemy movements even when it begins. He will warn you and keep you safe. So let God keep watch over you for if you stand alone at the watch it will be in vain.
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You Will Be Disappointed by Egypt

Why do you go about so much, changing your ways? You will be disappointed by Egypt as you were by Assyria. You will also leave that place with your hands on your head, for the Lord has rejected those you trust; you will not be helped by them (Jeremiah 2:36,37 NIV).

Those who do not care to walk in God’s way will find themselves always changing ways. It is an outward expression of their inward confusion. Each time they change ways it is in the hope that this time things will be better.

But without God to guide them, they will be disappointed each time they chose a different way than God’s way. It does not matter where the way you have chosen leads you to. It does not matter whether your way leads to Egypt or Assyria. For the end of all these ways spell “Disappointment.”

No better picture can be used to describe their disappointment other than the one used here. With all the emphasis on body language in today’s world you cannot miss the impact of the image of leaving a place with one’s hands on one’s head. It shows total disappointment.

This happens because God rejects those you trust. The natural consequence is that you will not be helped by them. In other words God can help you if you trust Him. But if you choose to trust in other sources of help God can cause them not to help you. So you will find everything working against you.

Therefore do not run here and there trying to get things done. Rely on God alone. He shall show you favor. But if you choose not to trust in God but trust in other sources of confidence you will keep on changing ways. And always it will end in disappointment. You will not be helped by them at all.
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Broken Cisterns

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jeremiah 2:13 NIV).

It is amazing if you really look at the way people throw away the priceless things of life to settle for cheap things. Nowhere else is this more seen than in man’s relationship to God. God is like a spring of living water.

It flows naturally and continuously. It is fresh and refreshing too. Its supply is endless. The only thing that we need to do to enjoy this fountain is to drink deeply of it.

Instead of doing that we totally forsake God. We do not value the grace of God that is freely given to us. Now that is the first step. But however hard you try you cannot stop there. Because according to nature’s law a vacuum cannot exist. Something has to fill it as soon as a vacuum is created.

When God, who is the source of our life, is forsaken a vacuum is created in our hearts. And then we cannot but fill it. So the first sin naturally leads to the second sin described here.

To compensate for our loss of relationship with God, we try to dig our own cisterns and try to store water. This is nothing other than pride. We try to make ourselves self-sufficient.

But we can never be self-sufficient without God. All our efforts will be only like broken cisterns that cannot hold water. In other words, your efforts to fill the vacuum created by your rejection of God will be continuous. Yet it will be futile.

You will fill only to find it drain away. In effect, you will be caught in a continuous cycle of filling and refilling. But alas it does not remain nor does it satisfy.

The only solution is to forsake your broken cisterns, your various methods of finding satisfaction, and return to the spring of living water, God Himself. There the waters of life flow freely, continuously and it satisfies at all times.
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The One I Esteem; Who Trembles at My Word

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word (Isaiah 66:2b NIV).

We all love to be esteemed by men. We also make every effort to obtain the respect and admiration of men. And knowingly or unknowingly these efforts get carried over to our relationship with God.

We try to get God’s favorable attention on us by our efforts at good works and sacrifices. Yet God’s Word is clear in this respect. It says that God is neither impressed by our efforts to build great edifices in His honor nor is He moved by the sacrifices we make.

That does not mean that God is despising our good and sincere efforts. But He is showing us something greater than these. He is telling us the qualities in a man that He esteems.

Now that is not a simple thing. If we crave to be esteemed by men; is it a small thing to be esteemed by God? Not at all. So it would be wise to heed what God has to say about the one He esteems.

First of all, God esteems the humble man. Maybe humility could be best described as being constantly aware of God’s greatness and our own smallness at the same time. It is also being aware of one’s qualities as well as one’s limitations at the same time.

Secondly, God esteems the one contrite in spirit. In this world we are encouraged not to feel unduly sorry for our wrongs. But in God’s eyes, the worth of a person is valued in terms of how much broken his heart is when he realizes how he has sinned against God and wounded his fellowmen.

Finally, God esteems the one who trembles at His word. We all are guilty of treating God’s Word lightly. We are happy to read and meditate on the promises and comfort ourselves with those blessed thoughts.

But His Word is also as much about warnings and judgments and summons to obedience. Those should make us tremble because they are true. And if we ignore it or treat it lightly we will be doing so at our own peril.
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New Heavens and a New Earth

Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind (Isaiah 65:17 NIV).

God creates. Man also makes a lot of things.

Yet his efforts have created a lot of destruction. The earth was corrupted by mankind which was created by God to be inhabited by man. Therefore God says that He will create a new heavens and a new earth.

We as children of God can hope for the new heavens and the new earth. But they are yet to come to pass. They are set for a time in the future that God alone knows. But we partake of the spirit of newness that God offers now itself. We are God’s new creation indeed!

But take a look at the long years you have groaned by a spirit of heaviness carried over from your past. You endured this heaviness only because you forgot the fact that you are a new creation in God. It cannot have the characteristics of the past.

Everything is new. But when your eyes are closed to this reality, then you live in your past though God has created everything new within you.

One of the chief characteristic of God’s new creation is that “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Learn to practice this. Think of the newness that God has put within you.

Let go of the former things.
Let go of the glorious triumphs of the past.
Let go of the failures of the past.
Let go of those broken pieces of the past.

Think only of the newness. Its quality is beyond imagination. But as long as we are bound by the past we fail to enjoy the newness of God’s new creation.

The old creation was flawed by man’s disobedience; but the new creation will be bear the stamp of God’s glory!
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A Dream and a Stairway

He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord…. (Genesis 28:12,13a NIV).

The dream of a stairway is symbolic of blessing. The author of blessing is God Himself. He is above the stairway or ladder that touches heaven and rests on earth.

All the movements upon it are under His guiding care. And His messengers are none less than angels. They do not rest because the move swiftly to do God’s bidding.

In another sense our God is constantly watchful of our every move, and even while we rest, His angels are active doing His commands.

The dream of a stairway comes at a time when you’re alone and tired from the journey. It could happen when your resting place is hard like a stone. In the midst of such a situation a vision of God standing above the ladder is indeed a great comfort.

And He speaks words of comfort and blessing. He promises His watching presence for the weary traveler. He promises never to leave you.

The dream of a stairway is given so that we would recognize God’s presence. Often we are not aware of His presence because we think that He is not likely to be present in difficult circumstances.

Yet this dream impressed on Jacob’s heart that the very place he was lodging was indeed “Bethel,” meaning “house of God.” Let us remind ourselves that God is present in our midst and our lodging places do not surprise Him the least.

The dream of a stairway is given to open our hearts to greater possibilities in life. Even after the dream we find Jacob responding to God in a very narrow-minded way.

God had spoken of great blessings and had promised that He will fulfill it for Jacob. Yet Jacob was telling God that he would be content with little little things.

Let us always remember that the stairway touches heaven and above it stands God Almighty!
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Turn Back the Battle at the Gate

He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate (Isaiah 28:6 NIV).

The enemies are attacking. We are inside our fort. The fort is high and strong. It cannot be easily climbed over or broken down. So the enemies are right at our gate.

It is that one place which could be opened with much attack. And therefore that is a key entrance-point that needs to be guarded.

A fort may have only one gate. But our heart has many gateways. We have to be constantly on our guard. For the attack is always concentrated on gateways. We need to put our best spiritual resources to fight at the gate.

Yet we need not trust in our strength. This is our comfort. We are told here that the Lord Himself will be “a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.”

Our strength might fail. But when we are plugged into God Himself, we need not lack strength. Because the source is unending; and the supply without limit. Therefore we can be confident that God’s special care is upon us as we battle at the gate.

This is because there are great advantages in turning back the battle at the gate itself. We can be safe. The fort can remain unconquered. And the devil will have no foothold within!

It is a blessed privilege to be part of the team of those who turn back the battle at the gate. Yet it requires constant watchfulness. We need to be ever alert to the possibility of an enemy attack. And when it occurs you need not lose heart fighting them.

Because the Lord Himself is the source of your strength. He shall not fail you. That is because the work of those who turn back the battle at the gate is precious in His eyes!
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Come to Royal Position for Such a Time?

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NIV).

It is a safe and easy option not to speak up for God and His people. When we refuse to speak up it means safety for us personally, at least for the time being.

Yet God is not restrained. His purposes cannot be defeated. He will cause deliverance to come through a different source. Then we will be ashamed for not having spoken up for God.

It is easy to find excuses. Maybe they are true also. It may not be easy for you to speak up for God. There might be obstacles that need to be overcome. Yet we should not turn back at the sight of obstacles. They should make us trust in God more and speak up for Him and His children.

In this connection, the greatest question you need to consider is why God has placed you in such a position in such a time as this. God could have selected someone else to be in your position. Yet He caused circumstances to be arranged in such a way that you were exalted to the position you now enjoy.

That means God did it with a purpose. In the midst of your other responsibilities you might never had occasion to think about the purpose for which God raised you up to this position. Now a crisis has come. You cannot stand looking on.

The moment to act has come. And you alone are the one in the position to act. Do not let obstacles or fear frighten you. The path of duty is calling out to you to take necessary action. Do not disappoint God and He will also not fail you!
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Listen to What They Are Saying, Afterward

If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp (Judges 7:10,11a NIV).

There are times when we should listen to what our enemies are saying. We think that our enemies are always talking of demolishing us. So we are afraid.

Yet at times, as in this case, God would have us listen to the talk of the enemy camp.

From this incident we can learn that God uses different methods to cure our fear. He is very realistic. He does not condemn us when we are afraid. He accepts it as a natural tendency in us when we are about to undertake great projects for God.

Yet God does not want us to start something in fear. He knows that anything born out of fear would fail. So even when He gives a command to us, He makes sure that we go forward without fear.

In this case He used an unusual method of asking Gideon to go and listen to the talk at the enemy camp. Even then, God was gracious by asking him to take his servant along with him for company.

The purpose of such an unusual method was to encourage Gideon to attack the enemy camp. God had told him that He would give the enemies into his hands. Yet God wanted him to be encouraged.

That means that God wants us to be encouraged to obey His commands. He not only desires us to be encouraged but also makes ways to do so. Sometimes it will be such an unusual method of listening to the talk at the enemy camp.

We are also encouraged to know that all is not well at the enemy camp even though they appear to overwhelm us. So listen to their talk and be encouraged to attack.
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Remember These Things

Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you (Isaiah 44:21,22 NIV).

God is asking His people to remember that He alone is God.
He wants His people to remember that there is none else who can be compared to Him.
He wants them to remember that they are His servants.
He wants them to remember that He alone is their Creator.
Finally He wants them to remember that He will not forget them.

God had described to His people the futility of serving idols. They are nothing but wood or stone or metal. They cannot do anything. God especially speaks about His power to foretell things that would happen in the future.

Therefore God warns His people not to be deluded into bowing down before idols. That is why He reminds them to think of His great power.

He wants His people to remember the fact that He had swept away their offenses like a cloud. When the sky is cloudy we cannot see anything beyond it. But when it moves away the joy of seeing the clear blue sky is ours again. Such is the way God has removed our sins from us that we may again have the joy of enjoying His presence.

God again tells us that our sins have been like the morning mist. Although it was there, it is no more. By the light of the rising sun, it has disappeared to be found no more. God wants His people to remember this.

And because of all these, God wants His children to stop serving idols. In the modern day, it would be mean anything or anyone that takes a place of importance greater than that of God in our hearts. He wants us to return to Him because He has delivered us from our sins.

Only He can deliver us from the evil of sin. Since He has done that for us we should return to Him. See, He says, “I will not forget you!“
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Arriving as the Barley Harvest Was Beginning

So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning (Ruth 1:22 NIV).

“Bethlehem” means “house of bread.” Yet this account in the Bible tells us that even in this “house of bread” a famine can occur.

As a result Naomi and her husband and two sons had gone to Moab. Her husband and two sons had died in that land. She was left with her two daughters-in-law, one of whom decided to go with her back to Bethlehem.

Naomi had decided to go back to Bethlehem because she heard that God had provided food for His children.

This provision of food by God was just the beginning of a greater provision for His people. Naomi’s and Ruth’s arrival in Bethlehem was perfectly timed by God. They arrived there “as the barley harvest was beginning.” This is important.

As we read the Book of Ruth it is amazing to see how the barley harvest plays such a huge role in bringing together Ruth and Boaz. They give birth to a child named Obed who became the grandfather of David. Thus Bethlehem became the town of David.

And after a thousand years, Joseph, who belonged to the house of David, along with Mary his wife, came to Bethlehem where Jesus, the Son of David, was born. The “bread that came down from heaven” was then born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread.” Isn’t that amazing!

All this was possible because God arranged the arrival of Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehem “as the barley harvest was beginning.” Yes, God will bring you to a place of blessing just when the harvest is beginning. The famine and destruction shall yield to provision of bread at the perfect timing of a chain of events planned by God!
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God Left Him to Test Him

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31 NIV).

Hezekiah was a godly king who sought God with all his heart. There came a time when he became ill and God told him that he would certainly die.

Yet when he prayed God added fifteen years to his life. This grant of life was confirmed by a miracle when the shadow of the sun went back ten steps on the stairway.

On hearing of this envoys came from Babylon. Then Hezekiah showed them all the treasures that was in his palace and his storehouses. He did this because of his pride.

In this context the most important thing we need to note are the words, “God left him.” We have always heard it preached that God will never leave us nor forsake us. But here we read that God left Hezekiah.

This is a very unusual thing especially since it came after God hearing his prayer and giving him an extension of life. Its meaning is clear. God wanted to know everything that was in his heart.

This is God’s testing. During these times God deliberately moves away from us. We will not feel His presence or get any guidance in the matter at hand.

We might pray. Yet it would seem that all these prayers are gone unheard. We are left on our own to take decisions. God is seeking whether we will make godly choices in accordance to God’s will even when His guidance and presence are absent.

This is a testing that is very tough. Hezekiah failed this test though he repented later. God through such testing is probing the real motives of our heart. Blessed is the man who passes this test.
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