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Egypt Will No Longer Be a Source of Confidence

Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help (Ezekiel 29:16a NIV)

God sets reminders in our lives. They are needed to remind us of our folly in not putting our confidence fully in God.

If such reminders are not there we may still go back to repeating our folly in trusting people more than God. And there are occasions when such trust in people become sin in God’s eyes.

The question is when does such trust in people become sin? The answer is not easy, for every Christian in the beginning stages of his or her Christian life depends on elderly believers or friends who are more mature in their Christian walk. This is good.

But when such a dependency is carried over to the years that follow, then it becomes a kind of substitute for a personal relationship with God. It is kind of second edition of fellowship that such people enjoy.

They expect their friends or spiritual guides to spend time with God and then tell them what God told them. God, out of His jealous longing for fellowship with each person, would not tolerate this for long.

He will cause some things to happen, when those friends and guides on whom they depended are not able to help. Then these people will realize that there is a limit to human help.

God does shake their faith in their friends and guides to call back their attention to Himself. He wants to tell them to stop putting confidence in people and to start putting confidence in Him.

He should be the source of confidence always. Such a confidence will never fail. Say “No” to self-confidence and “other-person-confidence.” And say “Yes” to “God-confidence!”
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So He Did What the Lord Had Told Him

So he did what the Lord had told him (1 Kings 17:5a NIV).

God will provide. Even though it is true, there is more to be said about it. God’s provision becomes visible and reachable to those who do what the Lord tells them to do.

Let us look at Elijah. He was a mighty prophet of the Lord. He told the king of the land that there won’t be rain in the land for the next few years except at his word. And it was so.

Yet even this mighty prophet does not assume that God will provide and wait right where he was. Instead he hears from God and obeys. He was told to leave that place and hide in the Kerith Ravine. And he was told to drink from the brook.

God also promised him that He had commanded ravens to bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening. All this came to pass only when he did what the Lord had told him to do.

It is possible that God might be telling you many things today that you can’t understand much. For example, the prophet was told to hide. You might ask whether hiding is part of God’s plan. Sometimes it is!

Then the prophet was asked to drink from the brook. Did not God know that a small stream would dry up soon in the famine that would follow when it did not rain? Yes, God knew. And the moment of drying up would be God’s time to make the next move.

So it was perfectly planned by God. And how could Elijah trust that birds would bring food at the exact time without fail everyday? But God is Lord over the birds too. Even unlikely options like these are perfect instruments in God’s hands to provide for you.

But all this can happen only when you do what the Lord has told you to do!
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You Have Too Many Men

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her … (Judges 7:2 NIV).

The world has great confidence in numbers. So they have coined terms like “vast majority,” “overwhelming majority,” and “thumping majority.” The world takes great pride in the strength of numbers.

But in the kingdom of God, numbers can be a hindrance to God’s working. Because when there is a greater number, man tends to attribute their success to their own strength rather than acknowledge God’s hand in their victory.

The first thing to be noted is that boasting is to be avoided. God does not like it at all. It is sad that in the Christian world boasting is not entirely absent. How it grieves the heart of the Lord!

For victories are given by Him. But many times people take the credit for it. And God is forgotten. Sometimes the boasting becomes so arrogant as to boast against God.

But it is good to note that it is not our righteousness or goodness or strength or plans that give us victory. But it is God who gives it to us. Acknowledge Him and avoid boasting.

The second important thing is take along with you a limited number of those whom God approves of. He has His own methods of showing to you those who have His approval.

Those chosen thus are to be given all the resources needed that otherwise would have been distributed among all lined up with you. Now, under God’s guidance these resources come into the hands of the chosen few.

They are God’s chosen team given to you. This team shall bring victory!
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The Lord Became Angry with Solomon, Appeared Twice

The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9 NIV).

The Lord can become angry. He can get angry when there is disobedience. But why angry with Solomon? Was he not one who was blessed with wisdom, riches and honor?

Yes, that is true. But he did not use his wisdom in following his Lord wholeheartedly. Instead he turned away from the Lord.

Probably the more significant factor here in the modern context would be the fact that the Lord had appeared to him twice! Why is that important in today’s context? Because people are increasingly seeking after dreams and visions. They are delighted to see angels.

None of these are wrong in itself. But let us face the more important issue. These visions are not to be given more importance than obedience to the Lord.

For example, the Lord appeared two times to Solomon. He granted him what he had asked for-wisdom. Riches and honor were also granted him. Yet Solomon turned to worship of idols. What a tragedy!

So the important thing to note is that getting visions from God is good if it leads to obedience on the part of the believer. What happens after getting the vision is more important in God’s eyes than claiming a superior spiritual status because one got a vision from the Lord.

In other words, having got a vision from the Lord is no surety that one will live in obedience the rest of one’s life. If he or she does not live in obedience, then there is great danger.

Because the Lord will become angry because they did not live in obedience in spite of having got the vision. Therefore obeying God is more important than getting a vision of the Lord or from the Lord.
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Exhausted, Yet Keeping Up the Pursuit

Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it (Judges 8:4 NIV).

Here the pursuit of enemies and oppressors are described. In the process of pursuit Gideon and his men became exhausted. But there was more.

They had to face criticism from their own countrymen. And no one was willing to believe in their ability to win. Therefore no one gave these troops bread to eat.

This situation would destroy the morale of any troop. But Gideon and his troops kept up the pursuit even though they were exhausted. And they won a great victory that day. Isn’t this the secret of victory in Christian living too?

Keeping up the pursuit even when exhausted should be the motto of every Christian who longs for victories in his life. Only such an attitude will help overcome criticism and non-cooperation from those near and dear to you.

Those are things related to one’s pursuit of victory. But what about your pursuit of God? Does not many adverse circumstances exhaust you? Don’t you feel like giving up? Those times do come.

But even when exhausted, it is important to keep going forward. There must be hope in your pursuit of God that you will be rewarded for your effort in pursuing Him. Then you shall come to know God with a deeper understanding.

Exhaustion is part of our human nature. It comes to those who pursue. And it is an outward sign of our effort. Though the temptation is to rest it is to be noted that victories are not won through resting.

But victories are won through pursuit even when exhausted. And it is vitally important not to get discouraged by criticism and non-cooperation or even the Jordan (difficulties) ahead.

Keep up the pursuit therefore even when exhausted. Then God shall grant victory to you!
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A Bruised Reed, A Smoldering Wick

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out (Isaiah 42:3a NIV).

“Will God forsake me?” This cry shakes a Christian when sin, doubt, failure or discouragement comes to his life. And God’s answer points to His servant Jesus whose character is portrayed here.

He does not try to destroy; but always tries to build up a life. His purposes do not change. It always is the same just as He is the same.

In contrast, the world rejects anything with defects. Even the best is rejected when it develops some flaw or crack in it. But the Servant of the Lord is patient. He examines it carefully. And He restores a broken man.

He does not delight in mocking somebody who makes a mistake or fails in his attempt to do something for God. The broken reed shall still be of use to Him.

No other craftsman in the world mends broken reeds like He does. Also the smoldering wick is not snuffed out. It had a burning flame once. And He shall still fan the smoke into flame and give life in that wick again.

In God’s economy, broken reeds and smoldering wicks do stand a chance. For such things come in a dress of humility. Their pride has already been broken because of their failures.

Now they are willing to yield to the touch of the Master. So far in life, they had confidence in their own abilities. They were proud of their achievements. Now those things don’t count. Only brokenness remains. The Servant of the Lord knows that the time to mold them is now.

So, when your heart hurts over your failures, when your mind doubts whether God is going to forsake you; remember the Servant of the Lord. He still will make use of you.
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My Presence Will Go with You, Give You Rest

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV).

When you have an intense desire to know God, He promises to bless you with His Presence. This enables you to have continual favor with God.

And the Presence of God with you is the most unmistakable sign that God is pleased with you. Also it is that one thing that distinguishes you as a child of God from others who do not believe in the Lord.

People discern the Presence of God with a man. And it is God’s Presence that makes a difference when you try to communicate to others about God’s love.

The Presence of God is first of all a Holy Presence. The entire heavens echo with the non-stop praises of angels and heavenly beings proclaiming God, “Holy! Holy! Holy!” They praise His glory thus. What a privilege it is to have the Holy Presence of God go with you.

Secondly, the Presence of God is a guiding Presence. Moses had to lead a rebellious and disobedient people who did not believe the Lord despite seeing many mighty miracles that He had performed for them.

So when Moses prayed for God’s Presence to accompany him, he was definitely thinking of the Presence of God who guides. And God went with them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them. What a privilege it is to have God with you as a Guiding Presence.

Finally, the Presence of God is a joyful Presence. Even though God is to be feared, His Presence is full of joy to those He causes to draw near Him. In His presence is fullness of joy.

When God gifts a man with His Presence the joy, it will overflow. It will attract others to Jesus. What a privilege it is to be a channel of God’s joyful Presence in this world!

When God goes with you as a Holy, Guiding and Joyful Presence, it gives you rest. And there is no greater prayer than praying to have the Presence of God go with you!
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The Lord Gave Them Rest on Every Side

The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers (Joshua 21:44a NIV).

God promises rest to His children. This is far greater than physical rest. Though physical rest is sweet, what God promises has deeper and more significant meanings. It is rest on every side: that is, comprehensive, including every aspect concerned.

Primarily, it means a rest from intense activity. It is rest from labor and toil. It means that God gives you time to spend peacefully without being burdened by anxious thoughts of troubles confronting you.

In Christian life, God gives such seasons of rest after intense periods of struggle and activity. It is a time of refreshing.

In another level, it is a time for reflection. It is a time to look back and see the marvelous ways in which God cared and provided. This is important because during times of struggle many do not find time to think of the ways God guided them.

So when God gives rest, He is gifting a period of time to reflect on how He dealt with you gently and with great compassion.

But rest can become dangerous if it is not used properly. Christians fall into complacency during times of rest. They think that they have achieved everything and find contentment in past glories.

But none should forget that there is no meaningful Christian living without progress. And God has not given final destinations on earth. It is always an upward and heavenward journey.

Rest that God grants are occasional inns where the traveler-Christian can stay for a small period of time. The journey has to continue.

And the final thought is that God gives seasons of rest to plan for conquests ahead. These are times to think big, plan big, dream big and pray big for God’s work ahead. Blessed is the man of whom these thoughts of the rest that God gives are true!
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Delight in the Lord, He Will Give Desires of Your Heart

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4 NIV).

This is a bold promise from God’s Word. It talks about our desires. We all have desires in life. But we often doubt whether they will be fulfilled.

One reason for the doubt is the wrong nature of desires that we have. If the desires that we have are not right, but spotted with evil thoughts; then there is reason to doubt its fulfillment.

But when the desires are right, people doubt its fulfillment because the desires are so big. They think that it is beyond God’s ability to perform. The answer is that God is bigger than our greatest desire and He promises to fulfill the desires of our heart.

But that is conditional. We have to delight ourselves in the Lord. Then He will give the desires of our heart. But what does “delighting in the Lord” mean? It means that we make God our chiefest delight in life.
Many approach God from a distance. They do not draw near Him. But God loves our company and likes us to spend time with Him. Remember, God delights in our relationship with Him.

What better test is there for a relationship than the time spent in each other’s company? So spend much time with God. Reading the Bible much and praying are two simple ways to keep in touch with God.

And during the busy moments of the day, take a few seconds to consciously remember God. If possible, send up a word of thanks for some simple thing like the beauty of a flower that God enabled to see.

Now when we spend time with God like that our desires naturally will fall in line with God’s desires and will for us. Then we lose sight of our desires and start to delight in God. And without any effort on our part we will see God fulfill our desires for us.
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As You Hear the Sound of Marching, Move Quickly

As soon as you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army (2 Samuel 5:24 NIV).

God signals to you. This is your time to move. Do that quickly. For the Lord has gone out in front of you.

King David had prayed when the Philistine army surrounded him. God told him to attack and he obeyed. And God gave him victory. But the Philistines regrouped.

This time also David prayed. But God’s answer was different this time. He asked David not to attack them directly but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

Many people get tired of asking God for directions. But David never grew tired of inquiring of God. He was also willing to obey God’s directions. Yet again, there are many who continue to act the same way because they think that it is a similar kind of situation that happened to them earlier.

But David knew that God’s methods might be different though the situation was almost the same. Sometimes God opts for a direct dealing and at other times an indirect one. The only possible way to know which way He is acting at any point in time is to inquire of Him.

Also when God uses something as a signal He makes it very specific. This is to ensure that the signal that He gives cannot be mistaken for anything else. In this case it was the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees.

It could in no way have been mistaken for the sound of wind. It was specified that it would be the sound of marching. And their orders were to move quickly to battle when they heard it. All you need to do is follow when God has gone in front of you.
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A Day When the Lord Listened to a Man

There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (Joshua 10:14 NIV).

The miracle recorded here is unique in world history. The sun stood still and the moon stopped its movement. This happened at the prayer and bold request of Joshua. God listened to him.

The miracle was amazing in itself. Even with all scientific advancements of today, man cannot alter the movement of the sun or moon. But with the words of one man they stopped. There was no magic in his words. But there was expectation and there was faith.

More than that it Joshua was surely convinced that God was fighting for them. His prayerful words echoed this confidence. There was no doubt nor wavering.

Joshua knew that he was obeying God and was fulfilling God’s purposes in the war. And he wanted to complete what God gave him to do. Therefore with great boldness he asked God for a never-heard-before kind of miracle. And God listened to him.

This is what you can take note of. You have a God who listens to you. He can act in ways that you cannot imagine. The sun or the moon need not stop for you. But if you are in the purposes of God, surely He will listen to you. This is the key.

Joshua had the confidence in God because he was moving according to God’s purposes and commands in his life. Therefore pray and find out God’s purposes in your life situations. Then move accordingly.

And then when you pray, God will act to fulfill His purposes. God does not perform miracles just for the sake of performing them. He does it to fulfill His mighty purposes. He listens to the cry of His children when they pray according to His purposes.
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Root Producing Bitter Poison

Make sure that there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison (Deuteronomy 29:18b NIV).

Times have changed. During the time of Moses it was obvious which were the other gods whom they would have chosen to worship. Today there are more dangerous gods.

Turning away from the Lord to worship them is still a root that produces bitter poison. But the trouble is nobody recognizes them as gods and they worship them without knowing that they are doing so.

The most dangerous gods of today are not exactly persons or idols. Even then, both persons and idols are worshiped as gods. But the philosophy of life that they represent are more dangerous.

They come in attractive and colorful packages with great sensuous appeal. They combine parts of different religions together and mix them up to suit the tastes of modern man.

This is very popular. It does not offend anybody. It promises great peace and prosperity. It makes people feel good and healthy through breathing exercises that they combine along with their philosophies.

Beware of such religious programs which have mass appeal. Many Christians are caught in the worship of such persons who promote such programs. If you carefully evaluate such programs you will find that they elevate the status of man to a god.

They dethrone the true and living God to enthrone man. They appeal to the basic selfish instincts of man. Was this not the first temptation that Adam and Eve faced? Were they not promised equal status with God by the devil? Think about it.

Finally, when someone turns away from the Lord to worship such New Age Religious cult gurus and philosophies, he becomes a root that produces bitter poison. This root can poison entire families and communities. So test yourself to see whether there is a root of bitter poison in your heart today!
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Broke Off His Pursuit, Sela Hammahlekoth

Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth (1 Samuel 23:28 NIV).

The right moment. That is when God acts. Even when every trouble that you are facing seems to close in on you, know that at the right time God will act.

If you focus on the approaching danger, you can easily forget the One who acts for you in ways you cannot imagine. He does that at the right time.

Sela Hammahlekoth stands for such a merciful act of God at the right time in the life of David. He was pursued by King Saul and his army. And they were just near them on the mountain. If God would not have intervened, it is quite probable that David might have lost his life that day. 

Just as they were about to reach them, a messenger came to Saul saying that the Philistines were raiding the land. This compelled Saul to give up his pursuit of David. And Sela Hammahlekoth means “rock of parting.”

If you trust God you can also enjoy such deliverances in your life. Your enemy will hear news of attack on him from another side. That will cause him to stop pursuing you and he will be kept busy with his other problems.

That will give you enough breathing space to make good your escape. This is what God did for David that day.

The lesson is that God is watchful. He watches over the paths that His children take. When they are in danger, He acts at the right time.

Definitely there are times when it seems that God does not act. We cannot fully understand the purposes of God in such instances. But let every Christian be assured that God will act at the right time.
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You Will Forget the Shame of Your Youth

You will forget the shame of your youth (Isaiah 54:4b NIV).

The dark secrets of your youth are known to God. He also knows how much your heart grieves over your past mistakes.

He also knows the constant accusation you are enduring in your mind over those shameful moments of sin. His heart grieves too. For you are His child.

Isn’t it sad that you forget your relationship with Him? Remember that He accepted you forever when you first came to Him. He will not forsake you, nor will He leave you in your state of torment.

He has taken away the punishment of your sin when the Lamb of God bled to death. That was once and for all settled. No court in the world can reopen that case for it was shouted out: “It is finished.”

Yes, the payment has been made in full. You can no more pay one single coin as payment for your sins; for that bill was already paid.

Then there are other distressing events that haunt memories from the time of youth. Many are those who had humiliating and painful experiences inflicted on them by others.

These memories wound like broken pieces of glass piercing the heart from the inside. This cause many to cringe in shame every time they face situations that remind them of it.

Now God promises you that you will forget the shame of your youth. It might have seemed impossible to you to get over the haunting thoughts of the past, but it is God who promises you today.

He is even now wiping out the stains of the past from your mind. Do not hold on to the past of shameful memories.

God commands you not to be afraid and not to fear disgrace. He says that you will not suffer shame and you will not be humiliated anymore!
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Sun of Righteousness, Rise, Healing in Its Wings

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall (Malachi 4:2 NIV).

The sun referred to here cannot be anybody other than the Son whose face is “like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” He will rise for you who revere His name.

This promise is very much needed for our times. The days are evil. People are getting more wicked and evil is on the increase. Those who truly revere God are becoming rare and they are despised. But there comes a day when God will make a distinction.

The rising Son shall bring the dawn of a new day bringing new hope and a new beginning. It shall bring healing. This is not just healing from diseases. It is restoration to perfection and wholeness.

It is restoration to health in the way God had originally created you with eternity in your hearts. It is a total healing of your entire being. Nothing in this world can compare to this holistic renewal of life.

The tired body, the weary mind, and the distressed spirit shall awaken with that healing in that day when the Son shall rise.

This promise is for you who revere His name. No matter what situation of difficulty you are passing through now; there is hope when you think forward to this coming day. Even the very thought of it shall strengthen you.

The promise is that when the Son shall rise you will go out and leap like calves released from the stalls. Such will be your joy. Such will be the healing of your mind, spirit, and body.

For under the wings of His righteousness you will find shade and refuge and strength. And that day is near!

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Sin, Failing to Pray

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right (1 Samuel 12:23 NIV).

“Failing to pray” is a sin. Many Christians have not thought about failure to pray in this manner. It is not selfish kind of praying that is referred to here. But is is praying for others that is mentioned here.

It is praying for others whom God has brought in contact with you; whom God has placed under your care. For example, if you are a Sunday School teacher, your primary duty is to pray for those children under your care.

“Failing to pray” is a sin against the Lord. This is because God has put you in a position of leadership. If you pray for those under your care, God will guide their lives.

Samuel, for example, was a boy whose birth came about through his mother’s intense prayer. So when he became a leader he was able to say that he will not fail to pray.

See what impact his mother’s prayer had on the nation of Israel. So if you fail to pray, you are sinning against the Lord.

You should ask why the Israelites asked Samuel to pray for them even though it was he who prayed to the Lord to send thunder and rain against them? It was because the people had confidence that he would pray for them.

They knew that though Samuel showed them what was wrong with their conduct, he loved them enough to pray for them. Sometimes people in Christian leadership teach and correct with authority; but forget to do it in love and pray for those under their care.

Samuel was different. He had the true heart of a leader. And he delivered what he promised. He prayed. In fact, he did not fail to pray. Can others say this of you: “He did not fail to pray”?
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Ebenezer, Thus Far Has the Lord Helped Us

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV).

Our God is our helper. And there are times in the life of every believer when God comes to help in a mighty way. Ebenezer is one way of remembering God’s help.

The word “Ebenezer” means stone of help. It is thus a memorial. You too can put up some memorials ( a photograph or a souvenir or a trophy) to remind you of God’s help that you received.

Ebenezer begins with victory. The victory that God gave the Israelites that day marked the beginning of a new dawn of freedom for the Israelites over the Philistines who had oppressed them for twenty long years.

The victory that day was given as a result of two things: one, Israel was willing to return to the Lord; and two, they prayed and cried out to God that they may be rescued from their enemies. God came to their help and gave them victory.

Again, Ebenezer is a proclamation of thanks to the Lord. How many are the ways in which God has helped you in the past! Out of them all, how many do you remember with gratitude in your hearts?

In fact, Ebenezer helps you remember the way God has helped you so far. It is a recollection of His mercy and help with a thankful heart.

Ebenezer also looks forward. The very fact that you remember God’s help in the past should put hope in your heart that God will continue to help you in the future too. In fact, Ebenezer is just a starting point.

Based on that victory you can go ahead to win many more battles for the Lord. Ebenezer reminds you of past victories to enable you to look forward to many more victories with God’s help. Ebenezer!
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But Those Who Stumbled Are Armed with Strength

But those who stumbled are armed with strength (1 Samuel 2:4b NIV).

Stumbling can occur through external sources. For example, you can stumble when you hit your foot against a stone. Stumbling can also occur due to internal weakness. For example, when some muscles or tendons get sprained you can stumble.

In the life of faith also stumbling occurs. It can occur due to observing other people live in sin and disobedience. Or it can occur due to your own lack of discipline in spiritual matters.

Stumbling can occur to the strong and it can occur to the weak. It can happen when you are well and it can happen when you are ill. If you rejoice at the sight of someone else stumbling; then before you know it, you will also stumble in the same way. And stumbling has the ability to humble you of your pride.

But God does not want you to remain in the place and position of your stumbling. Even when your stumbling has been caused because of the long delay in getting your prayer answered; know that God can change the situation for you anytime. This is the essence of the thought that those who stumbled are armed with strength.

God supplies strength to His children who stumble. He provides it by coming to their aid in their time of need. Difficulties and disappointments do wear out a child of God who stumbles especially when others provoke you and stab you with words due to the lack of fruitfulness in life. But God arms you with strength and gives you fruitfulness in your life of faith!
—
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People Walking in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2 NIV).

This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee. But this great light continues to shine even today. The simple question is, “Have you seen this great light?” 

You cannot appreciate the loveliness and welcome relief of having light unless you’ve experienced darkness. If you are walking in darkness today, this prophecy brings hope to you.

When light shines in darkness, none fails to notice its brightness. None can remain unaffected by the illumination of this light. Unless, of course, someone chooses to ignore this light.

One can close his eyes to this great light and continue to be in darkness. Thus they deny themselves the opportunity to walk in the light. They also close their eyes to the possibility of joy that this light brings along with it.

So, “Have you seen this great light?” If not, open your eyes and see!

And this light had dawned for those living in darkness or in the land of the shadow of death. Shadows bring fear. It is filled with darkness. It cannot be touched but it follows you and stalks your every step.

But the greatest shadow of all is the shadow of death. It brings terror. When it envelopes the mind it creates a fearful anticipation of what lies ahead. But the shadow of death itself is put into the shadows by this great light. And this light has dawned for you.

The brilliance and sheer loveliness of this great light shall dispel all darkness in your mind. When the bridge shall be reached where the shadow of death shall try to open the gates of hell; it shall instead open into a bright glorious dawn where this great light continues to shine–for all those who have seen this great light!
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Revealed Himself Through His Word

The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word” (1 Samuel 3:21 NIV).

These are days of signs and miracles and wonders. Most people think that God reveals Himself to them through such great happenings. It is true that God at times does reveal Himself in such ways. But the Bible teaches us a more excellent way.

Before you learn that way, it is important to note that God never exhibits His power just for the sake of impressing people.

If you carefully read the Bible, you will find that all of God’s awesome displays of His power and strength were to meet some need of His people or terrify their enemies. In fact, God uses His power only when there is a purpose to do so.

On the other hand, the method that God chooses to raise up a man of God; a man with vision, a man who can shoulder responsibility, a man for the need of the hour, a man on whom His Spirit can rest, and a man of purity and great moral authority, is through His Word. Signs and miracles and wonders cannot create such a man.

As you look at the life of young Samuel, you’ll see that God continued to appear to him at Shiloh. Instead of performing great signs before him, God chose to reveal Himself to Samuel through His word.

Probably, Samuel had access to the first five books of the Bible at that time. God might have instructed Samuel on the wondrous things contained in them; for in Samuel, God found a listening capability.

If you too are willing to listen to God when He speaks, He will instruct you through His Word. Read and meditate much upon God’s Word with a listening, humble and prayerful attitude and you’ll find God revealing Himself to you.
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Make This Valley Full of Ditches

Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will neither see wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water (2 Kings 3:16b, 17a NIV).

God performs miracles only where there is expectation. Even when the need is pressing, many fail to expect God to do something though they pray. The three kings in this incident and all their troops and animals ran out of water as they marched out to attack Moab.

As they approached Elisha the man of God for counsel, they were told to have expectation of a miracle. In the same way, when you are in a desperate situation in life, expect God to work in that situation when you pray. Expectation is the real key on which faith operates.

Not only should you have expectation, but this expectation should be acted out. As someone said: “When you pray for rain, carry an umbrella!” In the case of these three kings they were asked to make the valley full of ditches to collect the water they were expecting to receive.

Now acting that out required faith. But unless they expected water to come they would not have been able to dig. So taking some kind of action which shows your expectation is very crucial if you should be able to receive a miracle.

Another thing to be noted is that the miracle may not come through expected channels. When the need is overwhelming, God at times answers expectant faith through unexpected means.

Here they were told that they will neither see wind nor rain. But they received water.

Likewise, when you expect and act in accordance to your expectation, God meets your need and also adds something more to the miracle as He used this miracle as a means to defeat the Moabites.
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Let us Start Rebuilding

Let us start rebuilding (Nehemiah 2:18c NIV).

God is offering you an opportunity today. He is giving you a chance to rebuild your life. Whatever may have caused your life to lie in ruins, God is now inviting you to rebuild your life.

He is with you in this huge effort. Do not look at the ruins and sigh. Do not think that the task is beyond you. It is God’s invitation. He is with you and He will help you do so.

What God needs from you is a positive “Yes” from you. Are you willing to agree with Him and say, “Let us start rebuilding”? Then the work can begin.

See it is not your work alone. Neither is God going to do all the rebuilding. It is a partnership, a laboring together to achieve the goal of helping you get on with your life with dignity and confidence in God.

The problem that you face is one of inertia. You look at the bigness of the ruins, all the rubble that has been piled up, all the dust that needs to be cleared away and postpone the beginning of rebuilding to another day. How long will you postpone?

Can you say to God today, “Let us start rebuilding”? The key is getting started. Start somewhere. Start at the nearest piece of brick that lies at your feet. Yes, starting is the key.

If you are willing to start, you’ll see God help you rebuild. What you had thought of as impossible, what you considered too tough and what you had delayed because of its difficulty, will disappear.

And in the place of ruins, there will begin to take shape a solid structure of beauty. It will protect you and give you the real sense of confidence you need in God.
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The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10z NIV).

It is simple. Joy comes from God. His presence is full of joy and it radiates to you from there.

Joy cannot be bought. It is a gift from above. It cannot be imitated. If you try to do so others would easily see through the thin mask of happiness that you wear on Sundays.

Joy is contagious. It spreads around. If you have it, others would flock around you. They would go with a smile on their face because they spend time with someone who had joy.

And joy is strength–Not any kind of happiness, but joy that comes from the Lord; that is strength. This joy comes from a variety of reasons.

The first among them is that God’s presence is fullness of joy. As you enjoy God’s presence through reading of the Scriptures, joy wells up within. As you meditate on your loving relationship with God, as you think of His forgiving love for you, as your heart thanks God for accepting you as His child, joy erupts within. As you talk to your Heavenly Father and listen to Him in prayer, joy leaps within.

Indeed, the knowledge of having been forgiven is a cause of joy. To know that you’ve been accepted by God as you are with your unique strengths and weakness, to be loved and cherished for a time beyond time, for ever and ever, is joyous indeed.

The strength that such a joy provides needs to be experienced to be believed. Such a joy comes when God’s smile of favor like a rainbow arches over you. Let the joy of the Lord lift you up from the bed of sorrow and give you strength.

Then shall there be a spring in your step, a song in your heart, a cheer in your voice, a twinkle in your eye, a vibrancy in your handshake and sound of victory as shouts of joy in your camp!
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Nevertheless, in Their Presumption

Nevertheless in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp (Numbers 14:44 NIV).

Presumption is dangerous in Christian living. It puts you in trouble and brings sorrow. But what is presumption? It is acting on what you think is best when God has specifically commanded you not to do so.

For example, the Israelites attempted to conquer the Promised Land after Moses had told them that God was not with them. He further told them that they will therefore be surely defeated by their enemies. But they went and came back defeated.

They went in spite of the fact that the ark of the Lord’s covenant did not move from their camp. The point is that it was always through the moving of the ark that God signaled to the Israelites that they were to move.

In other words, when the ark, the visible presence of God, remained in the camp, the Israelites were commanded not to move. But in this case, since the ark did not move, they moved when God did not want them to move. This is presumption.

So, in your life, wait to hear from God. Do not assume something in your heart and act on it. Whatever you do, see that you’ve God’s word to do it. Act only when you surely know that God has moved ahead of you from your camp.

Make sure that you are not doing something that God had asked you to stop attempting because of earlier disobedience on your part. But if you act, in spite of God’s warning not to do so, that is presumption and it will surely bring defeat.

Sadly, almost every saint of God has made mistakes in the area of presumption. If you also have made a mistake of presumption, ask God to forgive you.

And plead with God to set right the consequences of your presumptuous act. He is a merciful God and He will hear when you humbly pray.
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Seemed like Grasshoppers in Our Own Eyes

We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them (Numbers 13:33b NIV).

Inferiority at first sight! This is what happened to the majority of leaders who went to explore the land of Canaan. They saw giants there who were stronger and more powerful than they.

But was not their bigness made more big by the wrong vision the leaders had? Is this not what happens to Christians even today?

When God sends you exploring a new territory in life, He wants you to possess it. Otherwise He would not have sent you at all. But possession of new land in spiritual warfare is no easy task.

The primary need is have a right vision. If you see yourself like grasshoppers and imagine that others are also thinking of you in the same way, you are already defeated. If this is the attitude which you like to have in your Christian life, better stay at home. Why go exploring at all?

God needs men and women of right vision–Men and women who can look to God and see how big He is, and look at giants in the land and see how small they really are when they look at them through the eyes of God! To such people God gives His strength to go, conquer, and posses the land.

“Grasshopper vision” is really disbelief. It is lack of belief in God and God’s promises. It is disobedience. It is distrust in God too.

Added to all this is the wicked intention of your heart to go back to the land of Egypt, the land of slavery, from which God had delivered you. It is therefore being content with your past and its miseries.

The question is: “Do you want to see God’s awesome work on your behalf or are you going to be miserable in life with a `grasshopper vision’ ?”
—
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Treasures of Darkness, Riches Stored in Secret Places

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name (Isaiah 45:3 NIV).

Anxious tomorrows can say goodbye when God makes this promise come true for you; for He is summoning you by name. If subjects of kings cannot but obey, what when God summons you by name?

Subjects might cringe in fear at the king’s summons, for they know not for what purpose they have been called for. But here God’s purpose is not to terrify, but to tell you that a special anointing from Him is now uniquely bestowed upon you.

This is to fulfill His magnificent purposes for His children through you. An example is King Cyrus, a Persian king, who was used by God to bring blessing to His people Israel.

So when God is about to use you in a mighty way as a blessing, He gives you this promise–the promise of treasures of darkness and riches stored in secret places. No matter what the channel God chooses to give it to you, remember that it is He, and no other who is giving it into your hands.

As you recognize His hands in the process, you will realize the magnitude of His favor resting on you. For He calls you by name. The Great King knows you so personally that He singles you out and calls you by name. That is privilege of a rare kind.

Finally, the substance of the promise is riches and treasures. They don’t need explanation. But the blessing is that none would have known where it was all hidden.

In fact, in God’s care and provision, He had kept all this for you for the very hour it would be released into your hands. The riches are only a sign that His favor is on you.

But the greater truth is that He summons you by name. For, you are very special to Him and the responsibility He has given you is so unique!
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The Sovereign Lord Is My Strength

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:19a NIV).

There are different sources from which we draw our strength from. Some find strength in the comfort and company of relatives and friends, or in the fellowship of their Church or prayer group. These all have their place in the Christian life.

But where do they draw their strength from? Is it not from the Lord? Wouldn’t it be great for you to draw strength from the Savior Himself? Think about it.

Make a habit of drawing strength from God. The best time to learn how to do it is during times of testings and trouble. Draw on His strength. You shall never forget that memory of His mercies which gave you strength.

One of the ways in which His strength is given is described here. He makes your feet like the feet of a deer. The deer is no strong animal like the lion.

Yet God has made its legs graceful and able to run fast so that it can bound up to the heights to safety quickly. The image of the deer is used here is to suggest that the strength is given to you who is weak.

And finally, it is God who enables you to go on the heights. That is a place of safety. It is also a place from where you can have a broader view of what lies below. From the heights you can see the valleys below the way God sees it.

You may have wondered before how to reach these heights. Once having reached there, as you look down you will know that the difficulties you had faced in the ground level had enabled you to draw strength from God.

That strength had enabled you to move on to the heights. Now the heights shall not make you dizzy for your depleted strength was supplied by God.
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His Ways Are Eternal

His ways are eternal (Habakkuk 3:6z NIV).

Timelessness. That is what in human terms “eternal” means. We cannot think without hours and days and months and years. But God is not at all limited by our thinking. His ways are eternal. They are not bound by time.

To God our past, present and future is one long continuous present. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows everything about our circumstances. He is not knowing it as it is happening but He knew it from the beginning before days and seasons ever occurred on earth.

Therefore when our ways seem to lead nowhere let us remember that His ways are eternal. He sees all the paths that we take. And when we take detours and miss our way, take comfort in the truth that His ways are eternal. He will make all these paths take you to His desired destination for your life.

The best thing to do for the time being is for you to ask God to align your ways to His ways that are eternal. That prayer will help you to have God-given wisdom guiding you in the right paths. It will prevent a lot of heartaches in the journeys ahead.

It is also good to remember that when the best-laid-out plans collapse due to any reason whatsoever, God is not surprised. This is because His ways are eternal. His ways do not change when plans made in the time-bound earth collapse. He will still make those destroyed plans work out His will and pleasure.

Remember also to lift up your eyes from the circumstances surrounding you and try to see the eternal ways of the Lord. Otherwise the needs of the present hour will always occupy your heart to the full, so that you miss the glory of seeing His ways that are eternal working in your life.
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Before They Call I Will Answer

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24 NIV).

Have you ever felt that the sky is like a bronze shield preventing your prayers from reaching heaven?

Have you ever felt that your prayers are falling into empty nothingness; reaching nowhere?

Have you ever felt no joy after you have prayed?

Have you felt being far away from God and no intimacy with Him in prayer?

If you have thus doubted the power of prayer, this promise of God is for you. Simply stated it means that no prayer of yours falls short of reaching God. In fact, it is heard even before you voice it in prayer. And it is heard while you are speaking it too.

Many times, you might be surprised to know, that God’s answer is sent your way even before you have asked anything in prayer. This is the power of prayer. More than that this is the caring heart of God.

Do not think that this promise is not true just because you haven’t seen the answer yet. At least a few times in life you might have received a letter which was delayed. The sender had sent it to you maybe a month ago.

But somehow it got placed in a different mailbag, probably traveled to different places but finally reached you. It was not the sender’s fault. But somebody else, failing in his duty and by mistake, created the delay.

See, God almost always uses human channels to send us His answers to our prayers. And all of us have some imperfection or the other. For example, lack of immediate obedience from the part of a fellow brother or sister in Christ, can delay the answer to your prayer.

It need not happen like that always. But such a possibility is pointed out so that you will not doubt the fact that God answers even before you pray and even while you are still speaking.

So do not yield to your negative feelings about prayer. Even when you feel no joy while you pray, He hears and answers!
—
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Be Strong, Do Not Fear; Your God Will Come

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you” (Isaiah 35:3,4 NIV).

Fear! There might be no Christian who at some point in his life has not yielded to fear. God understands you in a very intimate way when you are tormented by fear. He does not despise you because you have become weak.

But He longs to make you strong. Your hands will be strengthened more than before. Your knees which wobble today shall be made steady.

His welcome voice will sound in your ears: “Be strong.” This is so special. Without such a command ringing in your ears it is difficult to regain strength. This is the Almighty God speaking. You cannot but obey. Therefore be strong!

Do not fear, says He. Only His presence can give you courage and stop you from being fearful. Therefore the Word says that “Your God will come.” What a blessed comfort is that thought. He is coming to you.

With great fury He will destroy whatever is causing you fear. His purpose is to save you with a mighty deliverance. The time for Him to appear has come. The mighty God is willing to strengthen you. When He comes, fear has to leave for fear cannot stand in the presence of God.

Is fear tearing you to pieces today? Cheer up. Your God shall not stand watching as an onlooker when you are tormented. He will come. As surely as the sun will rise, so shall He come.

Hold on to His words, “Be strong, do not fear!” Believe it with all your heart. It shall open the doors for His coming to you. Cheer up. He will come to save you.
—
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