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Another Generation Not Knowing the Lord

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals (Judges 2:10,11 NIV).

A lot of important things are to be learned here. The first lesson is that there is a great responsibility on the elder generation. They are to teach their next generation about God and about His wonderful and mighty works on behalf of those who trust him.

The younger generation should be taught this. So, a great responsibility rests on the shoulders of priests, teachers and parents.

When a generation grows up without knowing the Lord and His goodness, the tendency is quite naturally to do evil. Sinful ways and false worship will abound. When this happens enemy forces of evil will always conquer the minds and hearts of people.

They will be unable to resist the schemes of the devil. And instead of victory, such a generation will always taste defeat.

Again, there is yet another solemn thought hidden in these lines. It is this that, we at our best can only influence our own generation. Joshua and the elders of that generation kept the eyes of the people focussed on God and His works on their behalf. But when they were dead and gone, the people went to evil ways.

So the thought here is that, if we waste our time and opportunities to serve God and help others to love God, we may never get another chance to do so. And both generations will perish.

So it is the solemn responsibility of a generation that knows God and His miracles on their behalf to pass on the torch of faith; alive and aflame, into the hands of the next!
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Choose to Serve the Lord

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served be
yond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Joshua, in his farewell speech recalled how God had brought the Israelites thus far. Then he calls for a renewed consecration on the part of the Israelites.

He gives them two options of serving the Lord or serving those gods of the foreigners. But Joshua makes it clear that he and his family is choosing to serve God.

When there are godly leaders who choose to serve God and Him alone, the followers are also encouraged to seek God with all their hearts. Joshua here is setting an example.

By recounting the mighty acts of the Lord he has just now told the Israelites that God alone is their Savior.

Joshua gives no room for doubt when he asserts that he and his family will serve the Lord. And we see the obvious result. During his lifetime the Israelites chose to serve the Lord.

All of us may not be leaders like Joshua. But even then we are looked upon as models by our friends, relatives and those who are younger to us. In their eyes we are role models. So our decisions are important. We have to give them encouragement by choosing to serve God alone and by openly proclaiming it.

In this world with lot of idols and celebrities, it is always easy to get confused and worship those things that are sinful. So the leader’s choice does matter! It inspires!
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The Lord’s Good Promises Fulfilled

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled (Joshua 21:45 NIV).

This beautiful statement comes in the context of the conquest of the promised land. God gave the Israelites all the land He had sworn to give to them; and the Israelites took possession of it and settled there.

No enemy could withstand the victorious onslaught of the Israelites. And God gave them rest on every side.

We too are asked to rise up and cross the Jordan to conquer the promised land. God has planned a future for us filled with His goodness.

All His promises still stand true. But if we hesitate and waver in our faith, we will fall short of the goodness that God has planned for us.

God’s promises will never be taken away. They will always stand true. But to inherit the blessings overflowing from these eternal promises we need to claim them in faith and move forward.

If at all we find ourselves falling short of God’s goodness towards us, then know that the problem is neither with God nor with His promises. The problem always lie with us.

Lack of faith and lack of daring to step out into the unknown with God often prevent us from seeing the fulfillment of every single one of God’s good promises.

God has already done His part. The promises remain true for ever. But we have to claim them all in faith. And when we do so, we will find our every enemy fleeing and destroyed. We will enjoy rest on every side.

If at all we had failed to appropriate His promises know that God’s good promises can still find fulfillment in our lives and He will still lead us to the promised land.
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Watch Not the Wind or the Clouds

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NIV).

Many men live defeated lives because they are controlled by their circumstances. But a few live victorious lives because they trust in God and overcome their difficult circumstances.

We stand to lose heavily if we stop our pursuit to reach mountaintops of achievement because of unfavorable circumstances. The man who lives like that will never see any good in his circumstances.

He will always complain and never learn to try to use his negative circumstances as stepping stones to reach heights of glory.

What is needed is a change of attitude. Instead of letting circumstances control our lives, let us learn to turn circumstances for our good. Let us trust God and say that wherever God has placed me is the right place for me.

Whatever the circumstances I find myself in, let me say that it is for my highest good. Then the winds shall not frighten you nor shall the clouds dishearten you.

God’s message to us is to always move forward. “Onward, ever forward, march on to victory,” is what God is telling us. There is no need to fear circumstances. This is because God is in control of every circumstance. And He knows where best to place us.

Therefore God demands that we brave every difficult circumstance, press forward, climb barriers, jump hurdles and touch the tape at the finishing line. There is great jubilation awaiting you there.

So when you see the winds and clouds the next time, power yourself to top gear. These very winds and clouds are going to lift you to the skies of glory.
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A Man Skilled in His Work

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men (Proverbs 22:29 NIV).

Most Christians take a very lazy attitude towards their work. This is wrong. And it dishonors God. This is because God has given man the ability to work. And God also provides opportunities for him to develop skill in his work.

Such opportunities are to be used and not neglected. And when a work is done with maximum skill, it brings glory to God.

Skill in work can be gained through prayer and hard work. Prayer is needed because we need God’s wisdom to learn the work. Hard work is needed because there is no other substitute for mastering a particular job or profession.

God only uses those men and women who pray as well as work hard. He takes delight in those who seek perfection in their work. Such people always keep their skills sharpened and polished for higher callings.

God promises them that they will not have worked and prepared themselves in vain, but that the right platform to display their skills will definitely come.

God promises those who take care to be skilled in their work that they will not fade out into oblivion or obscurity, but will be rewarded by given a standing before great men like kings.

If we observe the calling of great men of God we find that God called only those persons busy and skilled in their own field of work. This should motivate each one of us to strive to gain more skill in our respective areas of work.

It will give you a great reputation. You will command respect before men. Above all your skill glorifies God!
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Travels and the Cloud of the Lord

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out–until the day it lifted (Exodus 40:36,37 NIV).

God is to be acknowledged in all our travels. It means that we have to wait for God’s signal in all our moving out to do any kind of significant work.

The Israelites did not move until the cloud–the symbol of God’s presence–lifted from above the tabernacle. This is a great lesson for us.

We need to wait till God asks us to move. It means that we say to God that we are not wise enough to know the exact time that we need to start moving.

Sometimes such waiting is difficult. This is because we are impatient in most situations. Our fast moving modern world has no time for those who wait.

But God is concerned with our trust in His timing for our highest good. Any moving out without God’s indication to do so is going to end in futile effort and shame.

It is to be noted that the waiting for God’s indication is not a permanent halt. It is just a passing phase where much of our energy and sweet fellowship with God is restored in full freshness. Only then the command to move is given.

Then we will be ready for the task ahead. If we are wise enough to see this purpose in the halts of life we will make much profit out of it.

Therefore be ready to watch the moving of the cloud from over the tabernacle. Then be ready to step out with it. Till then watch and wait. The cloud shall indeed lift!
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That Night the King Could Not Sleep

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him (Esther 6:1 NIV).

This is amazing. By that day evening, wicked Haman had built a seventy-five feet high gallows to hang Mordecai. He had decided to ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. But God changed everything overnight.

First of all, note here the perfect timing of God.
Haman might never have dreamed of a reversal of fortune between evening and morning. It is that time when the king is not in his court and practically no one could have done anything to destroy his plan. Yet God did upset his plans.

Again, note here the perfect knowledge of God.
The king never knew of Haman’s plan. Mordecai did not know of it, neither did queen Esther know of it. But God acted. No one may know of the danger you are in. But that doesn’t prevent God from acting. He knows all that is happening in your life and in your immediate circumstances.

Finally, note here the perfect action of God.
By morning it was found out that no honor and recognition was given to Mordecai for exposing the conspiracy of Bigthana and Teresh to assassinate King Xerxes. And at the right time, when the king asked, “Who is in the court?” Haman walked in with his plan to ask the king to hang Mordecai.

But to his complete surprise he was made a herald to publicly honor Mordecai through the city streets. Not only did God honor and protect Mordecai, but He also caused the downfall of the wicked Haman!
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Caleb, Who Followed God Wholeheartedly

So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly –(Joshua 14:14 NIV).

This is the story of a remarkable man of faith. We are given a small but informative sketch about his zeal for God.

Caleb was one of the leaders who was sent from Kadesh Barnea by Moses to spy out the promised land. All the leaders except Caleb and Joshua gave a bad report.

But Caleb brought back a report according to his convictions. Others disheartened the people from attacking and taking possession of the Promised Land.

But Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people and told them not to rebel against the Lord. God was angry with the entire Israelite community, but promised that Caleb and Joshua will enter the promised land.

Now after 45 years Caleb is claiming his inheritance in the promised land. Caleb acknowledges that God has kept him alive in fulfillment of His promise. He claims that he is now as strong and vigorous as he was 45 years ago.

And he is also even now prepared to fight the enemies in the land of his inheritance. He also is sure that by God’s help he can drive them out even though their cities are large and fortified.

Caleb always said in effect, “By God’s help we can certainly do it.” There is never a shadow of doubt in his talk. This is wholehearted devotion. This is the language of faith.

Talking this language makes a huge and enormous difference in life. It is that kind of faith which conquers. It is that kind of faith that God rewards in full.
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Those Who Hope in the Lord

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint –(Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

Hoping in the Lord can be disheartening at times because the answer to your prayers may have been delayed. At this point of time, it is very easy to complain that God has disregarded your cause. But is it so?

No, not at all. We may grow tired watching and waiting for God to act. We may think that God has forgotten. But God does not grow tired or weary, and neither does He forget the cries of His children.

In His wisdom He allows delays so that He may not only answer our prayers but also in the process renew our depleted strength. So in delays God engineers there is hidden a double blessing.

Answers to prayer demand that we get ready for higher duties. Higher duties demand renewed energy and strength. God in His wisdom sees all this. He first takes away all our strength and then renews them mightily.

With this strength those who hope in the Lord can soar on wings like eagles, and run and walk. From the beds of weary waiting you can now get up and move into the thick of action. It is like a parked car roaring to life!

The renewed energy you had discovered in the process of this long waiting shall propel you forward. All your weakness will be forgotten. All your tiredness will disappear like a vanishing dream.

You will bubble over with strength and you will be charged with power from the Most High. All this is the portion of those who hope in the Lord. Renewal of strength is theirs!
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One Who Breaks Open the Way

One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head –(Micah 2:13 NIV).

Our God is One who breaks open ways where none exists. As Christians we often come to dead ends in life. At these points in our walk of faith we see no way ahead. And to add to the intensity of our struggle, we find that there are many huge barriers too in front of us.

Such situations are given to us by God Himself. This is to teach us some of the great lessons in the walk of faith. God wants us to know that dead ends and barriers will not stop Him from working on our behalf.

He wants to manifest His great power that can transform all obstacles to broad gateways of opportunities. The obstacles are placed in front of us so that we may be endued with power from God to break through the gate.

We can fail in our walk of faith quite easily at the dead ends if we are not watchful. It is natural that thoughts of helplessness storm your mind at such hours.

But there is no need to go under them. This is the time to season our faith for some daring exploits for we have a God who breaks open the gate and leads the way!

It is this truth that we have to learn. That it is God who leads. There is no need to overtake the Leader. Let Him lead, for before Him all obstacles shall melt into a smooth flowing pathway. Let us be meek enough to follow.

Let Him call out the orders and let us be obedient enough to march to His tune. Then we shall walk where He has already gone ahead!
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Does Not Thresh Forever

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 given man wisdom to learn we can understand much about spiritual discipline.

Threshing is the process through which grain is beaten out from its husk. Thus the grain and chaff are separated.

But this process is not continued beyond a reasonable point. It is stopped when the grain is ready for the next step.

Grain retains its shape though the process was unpleasant. But soon it will be ground to make bread. It is a much painful process. Then grain will lose its shape and will be broken to pieces and finally to real powder.

It is at this point of time when it becomes flour that it becomes ready to make bread. It is only in such a condition that it can bring nourishment and health to the one who eats of it.

The lesson to be learnt is simple yet full of depth. God knows when to thresh us and remove the impurities that cover us. But He does not go on doing it forever.

Then He puts us through deeper tests to grind us to be useful to others. But again the horses do not grind it, but only the wheels of the threshing cart are used.

This means that God also knows what form of discipline is to be used to make us ready for the Master’s use. It also means that He will not use undue pressure to break us down. There is a time and method for every discipline from God.

Therefore we can take heart when we are threshed and ground for God’s business. Someday He will make this fine work complete. Then it will be perfect for its use.
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Did Not Trust in Me Enough

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, `Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them’ –(Numbers 20:12 NIV).

Trusting in God is good. But when you are leaders of God’s flock you have to trust enough to honor God. This incident teaches us that there is a world of difference between “trusting” and “trusting enough.”

As for the shepherds of God’s flock they have a huge responsibility. The flock look up to them for everything. Whatever they do is closely observed.

Any small mistake is magnified before the watchful eyes of the people. And even one mistake can prove too costly.

This is what happened to Moses and Aaron. They were frustrated by the constant grumbling and murmuring of the Israelites. It made them open to sin.

And when Moses and Aaron cried out to the Lord about the grumbling of the Israelites, God asked Moses to take the staff and speak to the rock while the people watched so that it will pour out its water.

Moses, for once in his life as leader of God’s flock, overstepped God’s command. God asked him to speak to the rock. Instead he shouted at the people.

And when speaking to the rock would have brought water out of it, he finished his anger at the people and on the rock by raising his arm and striking it with his staff. Not once, but twice!

By just one wrong act of not trusting enough they both lost the honor of leading God’s people to the Promised Land! So beware of that one act that can disqualify you!
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Helped Him Find Strength in God

And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God — (1 Samuel 23:16 NIV).

David was a great man of God–a man after God’s own heart! He did great exploits trusting in his God. But when there came difficult times in his life, he was just like any other human being. And he too needed encouragement!

Jonathan did the right thing here. He helped David find strength in God. This was because Jonathan knew that David’s source of strength was his God.

Jonathan also knew that a fresh touch with the source of his strength would help David find courage to move on.

Jonathan loved David as himself. Encouraging David to find strength in God was an expression of his great love for David. Only those who love their friends much can offer encouragement of this kind when they are in need of it.

Therefore godly encouragement is an outflow of true love. Here its timing could not have been more perfect!

Jonathan could have stayed in his father’s palace. But he chose to go to David. That too at a time when his father Saul was searching for David day after day trying to hunt him down. This is an amazing kind of love!

It is that kind of love that will not rest until what is needed is done! We need people like Jonathan who will go out of their way to help people find strength in God.

The best thing about Jonathan is that he reminded David that beyond the present troubles, God’s promise to him will be fulfilled: “You will be king over Israel.”

To remind people of the unfailing promises of God is true encouragement indeed! This is what will pump strength into a disheartened mind, and what a royal way to do it!

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God Acts for Those Who Wait

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him –(Isaiah 64:4 NIV).

God can act only for those who wait for Him. Those who are busily rushing forward need not expect God to act for them. For those who really long for God’s acting on their behalf are prepared to walk in-step with God. They do not seek to outrun God.

The method God employs to work wonders for His children often contradict the wisdom of this world. The world is a fast moving world. People want instant results and are not prepared to wait. But God teaches us the art of waiting in the school of patience.

Such a waiting is never in vain. Because we can be sure of results. We are not waiting in hopelessness; but in certain hope. In the extended evenings of waiting, God is preparing the stage for Him to burst upon the scene in glory and act wonders for His waiting and trusting child!

It is this preparation that takes time. That does not mean that God needs this much time; rather it means that He needs this much time to prepare our hearts for a blessed sunrise.

If you had known exactly for how long a time you are supposed to wait, you would gladly be ready to wait for God. But what makes waiting difficult is the uncertainty of knowing when it will end.

For God may not always tell you in advance how long you may have to wait. It is here that trust plays an important role-to trust that God knows best when to act.

But there is one thing that is not uncertain-that God will definitely act on behalf of those who wait for Him! You can stake your life on it!
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The Lord Bless You

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace –(Numbers 6:24-26 NIV).

This is the priestly blessing with which God commanded Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites.

God wishes to bless His children. Many times we have a wrong notion that God is trying to punish us when we are in difficult times.

But when you have such a negative attitude towards God, you can never enjoy the joy of fellowship with God. We have to learn to accept that God is longing to bless His children.

And there is much power in such a blessing. God promised to indeed bless the Israelites when the priests pronounced this blessing. We have almost forgotten this truth.

Let us try to get a clearer understanding of it. God’s blessing will flow to people when those who have a right heart before God say it.

An earnest and prayerful saying of “God bless you” to someone carries more power in it than we have so far realized. Let us therefore seek to become channels of God’s blessings to this broken world.

Being such channels imply that we are priests of God living such lives that make His blessing flow out to others.

And what is the result of such a blessing? It is peace! God’s blessing need not be material prosperity, fame, or physical well-being. Though all this can be part of God’s blessing, the most important element of God’s blessing is a God-given peace. It is the sure sign of God’s favor!
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Those Who Honor Me Will I Honor

Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained –(1 Samuel 2:30b NIV).

God is worthy of our highest honor. The story of Eli and his sons teaches us that there is a serious possibility of losing God’s favor when we dishonor God: Eli and his sons were chosen by God to be priests. This was a sacred responsibility.

But Eli’s sons treated God’s offerings with contempt and also did many other wicked things instead of doing what was right. They also showed total disregard for God and His commands.

Eli, instead of taking stern action against his children, gently rebuked them. That is all he did! And God asked Eli, “Why do you honor your sons more than me?” That was his sin. Finally, God had to punish them all very severely.

An important lesson here is that we are not supposed to honor even the members of our families more than God. This is very difficult as we love our families very much. Yet God demands that we honor Him above our family members. Love for our dear ones should never be used as an excuse for tolerating evil.

God makes it very clear that He will despise everyone who treats Him and His commands in an evil manner. Yet we so often treat His commands in a lighthearted manner. There is great danger here because it invites God’s judgment. If Eli the priest of God and his sons were not spared judgment others will not escape at all.

But amazingly, God promises to honor those who honor Him. Let us therefore seek to honor God above all else And we can be sure that He will keep His part of the bargain!
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A Banner Unfurled Against the Bow

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow — (Psalm 60:4 NIV).

“BUT” is the most important word here. This promise is not for everyone. It is only for those who fear God. :q Does it mean that you have to tremble in fear? Does it mean that you lose all your power to act? Not at all.

It means something else. Fearing God means to be afraid of nothing and no one else–not even being afraid of the bow that is aimed at you.

The bow will be aimed at you at some part of your life or other; whether you like it or not, whether you have caused it or not. You may not be able to prevent such a situation. But when it comes, God will raise a banner for you to be unfurled against the bow.

It is when the bow seems to conquer and destroy everything all around you that this banner will be unfurled for you. It is in such situations that God intervenes for those who fear Him. He will raise a banner for you. It will destroy the fury of the bow.

The banner proclaims the identity of God’s camp. The unfurled banner is the point to which all the angelic hosts rally to. Then your enemies will see that you are not alone. The sight of this banner shall itself strike terror in the heart of the one who holds the bow.

The banner will tell them that the ultimate victory belongs to God. You can stand at the foot of this unfurled banner and see God bring victory for you. During those moments when the bow seems to be aimed constantly at you, look up to see God’s banner fluttering in the wind. Take heart, for it is His banner unfurled for you against the bow!
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Repentance, Rest, Quietness, Strength

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: `In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it’ (Isaiah 30:15 NIV).

We humans do not take rest seriously. We always want to move about and get things done. But God teaches us to be quiet in rest. His methods may seem contrary to common sense, but it is the way things work best in His kingdom and for those who trust in Him.

There is a majesty in rest. We need only look at the grandeur of the lofty mountains to know how serene and majestic is their rest. Though the waves roll near the shores we find in contrast the great ocean depths having a majestic calm about it.

These are some of the lessons that God has painted in nature for us to learn and profit from it. Those who have learned thus carry with themselves an air of quiet trust in God.

When every sense tells you to rush around in panic and seek help, God might be whispering to you to be quiet and to rest in peaceful trust. To be honest, this is very difficult. It goes against our human nature. But for God to act, at times, we have to choose rest.

There is a divine strength in rest. For such a rest alone can bring about God’s deliverance. But often we would have none of it. This is our problem. And this is God’s complaint against us!

There is only one option for us. It is to repent of our haste and restlessness and turn to God. Then we too shall experience the rest that comes from God. We will be amazed to see the saving work of God when we have stilled our heart before Him in complete and abiding rest.
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God Our Guide

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end (Psalm 48:14 NIV).

This God who dwells with His children and protects them is our God. He is our God not only for our earthly life, but for the life beyond it as well. He is our guide who delights to show us the way. With God as your guide, you never need fear losing the way for He Himself is the way.

The problems in life really begin when we forget that God is our guide. We rush here and there to our friends and relations to seek advice to take the next few steps.

We soon find that people do not have the answers. And when that happens and help fails to come from them, we fall into despair and think that there is no one to help us.

This is because we fail to remember that God is our constant companion. Our earthly guides do not walk with us all the way; nor do we constantly seek their guidance. But unlike them God is committed to see us through to the end.

Though the way sometimes is rugged and takes you through unknown places, you can be assured that God is walking along with you. He shall not desert you even for a brief moment. This Guide watches over our every step and firmly holds our hand that we may not fall.

Therefore first seek His guidance always before rushing to those near and dear to you. Then you will have Him by your side at all times giving you words of wisdom and making sure that light will shine for you even in the dark.

Though darkness may hide His face He remains always near. And you will find that every road that seems to end is but the portal of a new beginning for He is our God for ever and ever!
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Burden Will Be Lifted

In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat (Isaiah 10:27 NIV).

A day will come when every bondage in your life will be broken. What a relief will it be when the burden that drowned you in misery time and again will be lifted from your shoulders.

The victory will come even if the addiction to sin in your life seems to be very strong. The yoke shall be broken and you will be free because it is God who promised the coming day of victory!

But there is something you have to do to get hold of this victory and claim this promised deliverance. You have to grow fat. Therefore find your food in the green pastures of God’s word. Grow fat on this spiritual milk. And then the yoke will be broken!

Even though this is so, many try in vain to get out of the yoke that burdens them by struggling a lot. Their strength and struggle is not enough to break the yoke. Such efforts are in vain.

Even as people struggle for victory over sin, they often find the yoke growing stronger. This is the nature of sin. It increases the burden on those who practice it.

Spiritual victory and freedom never come by struggling. It will not come by daydreaming of victory. Instead it is achieved by growing fat by feeding on God’s Word. This is God’s key to victory. The burden will be lifted quite naturally, in fact quite effortlessly, as you grow fat!
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Return to Your Fortress

Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you (Zechariah 9:12 NIV).

God is our fortress. Those who remain within the fortress are surrounded with God’s strength. The fortress thus is a symbol of divine protection. This protection is available to a child of God at all times. But this protection is limited to the confines of the fortress and not outside.

Therefore those who wander out of the gates of the fortress place themselves in great danger. They forget that they are now easily within the enemy’s reach and striking range. Sometimes they are taken captive too because they move away from the source of their confidence and strength. Thus they find themselves prisoners of sin.

To these prisoners who hope in God’s deliverance the call to return to the fortress has been sounded. This call to return is also accompanied by an amazing promise. God promises to restore twice as much whatever might have been lost.

This is the grace of God in all its beauty. The world will never forgive someone who has wasted everything by wrong living. But God’s mercy is altogether different. He not only forgives the repentant sinner, but also adds goodness to him in double measure when he returns.

Therefore God is not asking you of how much you have wasted! He is not angry that you left the fortress. God only wishes that you return. He waits to see you come back.

The gates of the fortress are always open to welcome the one who returns. So return to your fortress, for you will find strength within it!
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Oil and Honey Hidden in a Field

The Lord Upholds All Those Who Fall

Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone