My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Job 30:26, “Yet when I hoped for good, evil came. When I looked for light then darkness came.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above passage we do understand that Job being an upright man and was blameless, one who feared God and shunned evil. Such a man who was righteous before God expected good things to happen in his life. He knew that God is good and does well especially to His children. God has laid up goodness for them that fear Him. He believed that God has promised good things unto them both temporal and spiritual for godliness and godly men during this life and that which is to come. But Job was disappointed in his expectation for he says, “I hoped for good, but evil came. When I looked for light then darkness came.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, As we all know that evil came upon Job one after another. Even when in the height of his prosperity and because of repeated evil new afflictions came upon him by the order and direction of God. The Light of outward prosperity, such as he had earlier enjoyed had dwindled off. He had almost sought after and longed for the Light to continue in his life. He waited as any good men would want to be. Since Light is sown for them in the purposes and decrees of God. And hence one should wait for the springing of it up as the husbandman would wait for the springing up of the corn sown in the earth, and seeing that to the upright there arises light in the darkness. And though God hides His face from them, for a moment, he will have mercy on them and therefore should wait his time to be gracious to them. But Job waited for long time to no purpose.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, but the darkness of adversity, still thicker and darker and with no appearance of spiritual light and favour fell upon Job, that he could not discover the love of God to him. Job though disappointed still continued to exercise his complete faith upon God. Such that he never, ever sinned or charged God with wrong. The Bible says, in all this Job did not sin with his lips. His friends criticised him, even his wife rebuked him but he never faltered. He said, “Though He slay me yet, will I trust Him.” As a result God exalted him. The Lord restored Job’s losses, as he prayed for his friends and the Lord blessed the later days of Job more than his beginning. Job lived 140 years and saw his children and grand children for four generation. This is how God blesses those who put their trust in God.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, how about you ? Have you fixed your eyes upon God or is your faith on earthly people. The Bible says, It is better to trust in the Lord, Than to put confidence in man. On whom have you put your trust?
If you endure tribulation and count it all joy, when you fall into various trials then God will turn your curse into a blessing as God blessed Job. For God raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes. With the princes of His people. Similarly the Lord will lift you up and when you commit your ways to the Lord and Trust also in Him He shall bring it to pass. Put your trust in Jesus. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Lord teach us to have adamant faith in God as Job did. May we apply his good nature in our life. Help us to bear our trials and afflictions with utmost patience. Thank you Lord for setting up Job as an example of endurance and longsuffering for us to follow in our life. Bless us Lord, as you blessed Job.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Psalms 17:8,9 , “Keep me as the apple of Your eye, Hide Me under the Shadow of Your Wings.”From the wicked who oppress, from the deadly enemies who surround me.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above context we understand that David being compassed with enemies prays to God the Father, in this Psalm, to keep him in safety. David cried out to God, asking God to preserve him, guard him, and defend him, as one who would protect that which is most precious and valuable to him. He says, “Lord keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings.” This is in comparison to birds, or fowls, that protect their young ones by gathering them, under their wings. It is probable that the Psalmist had this passage in his mind, where it says, “’He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of his eye, as an eagle, stirreth up her nest, flutters over her young , spreads, abroad her wings, So the Lord led him in the wilderness.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the Life of David, there was a huge time of oppression. Even though he was anointed to be the king of Israel, by Prophet
Solomon, yet he could not enjoy the kingship that was granted to him. He was rather chased by his own uncle king Saul, who wandered everywhere to kill David. He was jealous of him because he was victorious over Goliath the Philistine giant who came against the Israelites. Saul was all the time planning as to how he might kill him. On the other hand, his own son, Absalom was awaiting opportunities to kill his father David, in order to usurp the throne after the death of his father. His wife Michal, listening to her father, King Saul, despised David and went to live with another man named Palti. Thus his entire family was against him. And now, David was in great distress. He was over whelmed with sorrow.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, David did not have any security for his life. He was afraid that his son Absalom would kill him any time. So in order to save his life he hid himself in the foothills, and caves. There are numerous Psalms written by him about his lamenting over his fear of death and his sorrowful state of life. And Psalm seventeen is one among them, focusing from the beginning till the end, about the sorrow over his death, and his family problems. He cries out in this Psalm to the Lord, as a prayer, asking God to help him overcome this fear of death and asks God to protect him. Once, when he fled from King Saul, to the caves, he cried out to the Lord in fear, saying, “Lord be merciful to me, for my soul trusts, in You, And in the shadow of your wings, I will make my refuge. Until these calamities, have passed by.” Later he says, “’Lord I will abide in Your Tabernacle, forever. I will trust in the Shelter of your wings. Lord because You have been my help, therefore I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.”
David was surrounded with foes from all corners. There were many wicked and cruel men who oppressed him. And he was surrounded with several enemies who were so bitter to him in spite of his goodness. So he says, “’Lord protect me and keep me as the apple of Your eye. Hide me under the shadow
of Your wings.” He sought for God’s hand of protection. He knew well that he could rely upon the eternal God for his refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will thrust out all his enemies, from before him, and he shall dwell in safety. And one day all his enemies will submit to him and he shall tread down their high places.
Are you afraid of your enemies? Is someone chasing you for no reason? Have you been surrounded by unwanted and wicked foes? It may be your own relatives, creditors, one of your own siblings who is troubling you, your own nephew, or niece? Don’t be afraid, of the trouble, from the wicked when it comes. Whoever it may be, put your trust in Jesus, He will cause your enemies to surrender at your feet. Like David, Remain under the shadow of His Mighty wings. He will protect you and keep you secure. No one can pluck you out from His Hands. He will keep you as the apple of His eye. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Thank You for reminding us about the miserable life of David, through this passage. And because He trusted in God he was safe. Help us to put our confidence in God and not on worldly things. Make us to understand that even though we are surrounded by our enemies. Teach us to believe that God will protect us. And He will be a very present help.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet and bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord has given for you today is from the book of Isaiah 44:4, “They will spring up like grass in a meadowlike poplar trees by flowing streams”. Have you noticed the plants that grow by the waters? The get nourished by the nutrients and they grow with full strength. They never go dry. Likewise, God will nurture and bless you. He will cause you to prosper and be a blessing to many.
When you obey the word of God and follow His commandments, you will be blessed and will flourish in all that you do. The Lord will cloth you with the garment of righteousness and you will excel in life for the glory of God. Your life will be prosperous just like the plants that grow at the side of the waters.
In order to have a prosperous life, you need to have a close communion with the Lord. God says in the book of Revelations 3:16, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth”. The word Lukewarm means, something that is neither cold nor hot. A Lukewarm person will not have a close connection with the Lord. When you do not have a close fellowship with the Lord, you may tend to go away from His presence. You need to be like the plant at the waterside, giving fruits in its season. When you stay in close fellowship with the Lord, you will experience His divine protection and His peace. You will be prosperous all the days of your life.
Have a close fellowship with the Lord. He will perform miracles in your life. Always have a practice of thanking the Lord in all your situations. The Lord will bless you abundantly.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. I submit these dear children into Your loving hands Lord Jesus. Isaiah 44:3 says, “I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.” Thank You Lord for You are going to pour out Your spirit upon them. May You forgive them the days when they went away from You Lord. I pray that You may draw them closer to You by Your loving Kindness. May You fulfill the desires of their heart and prosper them in every aspect of their lives. In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet and bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord has given for you today is from the book of Psalm 16:5 says, “You O LORD are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot”. Portion of my cup means, “My fortune” The Psalmist David , totally depended upon God for all his needs. He considers, having God in his life, as the greatest fortune.
David himself says, that he has acquired a good inheritance from God. He also claims that the boundary lines of his territory have fallen for him in pleasant places. Therefore David exalts God as quoted by Shulamite in Songs of Solomon 5:10, “My Beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousands. Anything that comes from an extraordinary person will always be something wonderful. Our Father in heaven is an extraordinary God. And what comes from an extraordinary God will always, be excellent, marvellous, and wonderful. A person can be identified, how good or how bad he is by the friends he mingles with. He usually adapts the nature and characteristic of his close associate. Likewise if we have good acquaintance with God or have an intimate relationship with God then we will also be like Him in our nature. Our characteristics will also change like that of our heavenly father. When such a God blesses his children, He will give the best. He will not give that which is blemished but that which is good. Hereafter the Lord will give you all things that are superb, that are excellent and best in your life.
Psalm 16:5says, “Lord You are the portion of my inheritance”. Today make God your wealth, your good portion in your life. Don’t worry whether you have wealth or not because you have God as the portion of your inheritance. God who gives that which is best has become your wealth in such a case you won’t lack anything. He is a God who gives you wealth. Isaiah 48:17 says, “The holy God of Israel, the LORD who saves you, says: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go.” Such a God has become your portion. Then you can obtain whatever you expect from him. The God of wonders is within you. And so you have a great wealth that you could not afford to lose it. He is Jesus Christ. You might have lost your house or your job, or all that you consider as wealth. But you have not lost the one who grants all the wealth. If God is with you then you are blessed. In case God is not with you then your conscience would be spoilt, and your days would have come to an end. But when you have begun to search for God, that itself is an indication that God is within you. He is your wealth He is your portion, as long as you have not lost Him. Since God is within you it is possible for you to get all that you desire in life. With God in your life, all things are possible.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. I pray that You may bless Your dear children. Lord, as they continue to read Your word every day, may You shape them to become a perfect vessel for Your glory. Help them to inherit You as their wealth in their lives. In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Deuteronomy 11:11,12, ‘the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinks water of the rain of heaven: A land which the LORD thy God cares for the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above passage we learn that God is about to take you into the New Year 2020, with all the blessings of God. May be in the bygone years you would have gone through many disappointments, loss and failures, but in the coming New Year God is taking you to a (land) filled with valleys and hills which means you are about to enter into a year of blessing. Because the Lord says, “’ I have come to seek that which was lost.” Hence He will recover all that you have lost in your life, in the New Year with a double portion of blessing for I know that Jesus Christ is one who does, what He says for God is the strength of Israel, who will not lie, nor relent.
Give thanks unto the Lord for the New Year that is to come. Try to hold on to Jesus and walk along with Him throughout this new year. And the Lord will be pleased with you if you walk along with Him. Many whom you trusted might have deserted you, but God will neither leave you nor forget you. So leaving behind all bad habits follow Jesus. The New Year will be like a land filled with hills and valleys with plenty of rain and water which indicates God’s blessing. The more the land is covered with mountains and hills the more you have the protection of God. In the New Year the protection of God will be upon you and your family as never before. The Hills are a symbol of freshness and greenery in your life. Just as Jerusalem is surrounded with mountains God’s
favour and mercy will surround you and your family in the coming year. The word of God says, For those who fear God, He will descend upon you and encamp around you, and will protect you. As a wall of fire until this day you would have incurred great loss and suffered many problems, in your life. But God who changes all situations will change all your sorrows into joy and comfort you on every side.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The worldly security like, Black Cats, Z Security, may be temporary but Godly security will be eternal. Hold on to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Strength and Refuge for all those who trust Him. Enter into the New Year, holding on to Jesus for He says, “I will keep you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hands.”Yes Jesus will protect you from all danger and harm that is to come in the New Year. God promises to protect not only you, but also your children and grandchildren, wherever they may be placed. His arm embraces and protects. His hand wipes your tears. His righteous right hand will hold you and lead you all through the New Year. So move along with Him into the land you have inherited, with Hills and Valleys.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Until this day, you might have lived in parched and sun scorched land. But hereafter you are going to possess a land with rich greenery. God will eradicate all your poverish state of life and will settle you in a large fertile land flowing with milk and honey. A river of prosperity will flow into your life, your house, and into your family. One who opens the door that no man can shut will open the rivers of blessing . So your house will be filled with new wine, oil, wealth income, anointing and all the barriers that stand as a blockade from flowing will be broken. All yoke will be torn apart. Just as the land of Canaan drew water from within and supplied water to all the territories, you will be able to save from your income, for you and your children. God is removing all poverty and there’s going to be plenteous in the
New Year. God will bless the work of your hand and you will lend to others and not borrow.
The Lord cares for you. Last year you were so worried that no one cared for you. But there is one who cares for you, and He is the Lord Jesus Christ. There was no one to inquire about your welfare, but this year God will provide people to inquire and console and comfort you. He is mindful of you and so he will set people for you. He met the man who sat beside the pool at Bethesda for someone to help him for 38 long years but Christ came forward to help him. He said, “’ Rise up and walk” and He immediately began to walk. God remembers to meet all your needs and reward you richly.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Finally God says, that His eyes are upon you from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Just as the eyes of God were upon the people Israel, He will keep His eyes upon you and lead you in to the land flowing with milk and Honey. When His eyes are upon you then no satan can have a hold on you. You shall receive deliverance from all works of the evil spirit. This New Year will be a Year of Deliverance. Those who ran behind worldly things will in future run after God and His Glory.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Lord we thank you for helping us enter into the New Year. Teach us to hold on to Jesus and follow His good steps. Keep us safe from all danger and harm. Help us to inherit the blessings of God. Thank you for leading us into the land of Hills and Valleys flowing with water and a land ever fresh and greenery.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
