Success

In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.                                                                                                               1 Sam.18.14

What wonderful encouragement this verse is! David could not fail to succeed when he looked to God in all that he did. Indeed, later on (2 Sam. 11) we see what happens when David acts in his own flesh and not with his eyes firmly fixed on God.

I can’t point a finger at David in this for I know how I forget to place every single thing before God. Often, I act in the flesh without even thinking. Sometimes, I act when I know my actions might not be fully approved by God. How weak we are in our humanity! Yet we are not lost. God says, “If you seek me, I will be found by you.”

It’s never too late to retrace, to lay our sins and our weaknesses before God and ask for, and surrender to, His help.

Lord God,

As I opened my journal to record this prayer to You, I uncovered the slip of paper on which I have written – Yet not my will, but Yours be done. In my heart I want this so much, yet in my actions I often betray this desire.

I come before You now and ask You to forgive me all those times I have disappointed You. I want to do better, to be more like Jesus. Hear my prayer. Know my heart. I pray Your mercy and grace will cover me and release me to go forward with You.

I pray that my activity, whatever it might be, will be fully with You.

I rejoice in the life I have in You and the privileged position I enjoy as a child of God. Help me, dear Lord, never to abuse what You have given me but, rather, to steward it in wisdom and truth, playing my small part for the Kingdom of God.

I ask these things in Jesus’ name.                                                                    Amen.

A Jonathan

And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

                                                                                                   1 Sam. 23.16

 

This verse attracts my attention. Was David struggling to find strength? Was he faltering in his own efforts to seek God?

God is the answer, the only answer. I may know this and acknowledge it always. I can press in to God and receive the strength I need. But there may be times when I feel myself unable to do this. At such times, what a joy it would be to have a soul-mate, a true Christian friend who will comes alongside and help me to find the strength I need in God.

There is, of course, a converse. There will be times when I shall be privileged to come alongside others and help them to find the strength that they need in God.

Either way, it is the most delightful and inspiring privilege.

Lord God,

The way is so simple: your will be done in me. Let me live in the strength that You provide. Simple, but not easy to realise.

There are times when I come to You, easily and readily. There are times, however, when I might not find it so easy. At these times, I pray for a Jonathan. I ask You, precious Saviour, to provide a help-mate at those times when I need assistance to come to You for strength.

I ask also that You would use me, freely and extensively, to be there for others. Let me not miss Your prompting. But I ask You for wisdom. I do not want to intrude where it is inappropriate to do so. Neither do I want to hold back when You would have me move.

Dear Lord, again I come back to You. I heed You word to lean on You and learn of You. I believe I am willing. Take me, show me, use me, in Jesus’ name I ask.               Amen.

Strength found

...But  David found strength in the Lord his God.               1 Sam. 30.6

I can imagine that David was feeling quite disconsolate at this time. The Philistine rulers had convinced their leader Achish to not allow David to fight with them against the Israelites.

On returning to Ziklag, most likely in dispirited mood, David was to find that the Amalekites had attacked and destroyed the place, taking captive all who were there. When David’s men saw this, their anger turned on him. In their great distress they talked of stoning him.

In all, this would not have been a good time for David.

What was he to do? Where could he turn? Irrespective of what he might have been feeling at the time, I believe David knew where his help lay. He knew exactly what to do and where to turn:

           

                        My soul finds rest in God alone;

                        my salvation comes from him.

                        He alone is my rock and my salvation;

                        he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

                                                                                    Psalm 62.1,2

David knew that he would only get the strength he needed from the Lord God. The mighty, the all-mighty God to whom nothing was impossible was David’s Lord, his master and his friend.

This tells me all I need to know to live in confidence and security in my Lord and maker, my God, my comfort and provider.

Lord God,

I exalt Your holy name today. I receive this reminder from David’s story that I will find all the strength I need, in You.

I ask for Your strength today. I lay the day before You and submit myself to You.

Strengthen me, in You. Lead me on. Have Your way in me, in Jesus’ name I ask.     Amen.

No more

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.                      Rev. 21.4

John is writing of the new Jerusalem. This is the perfection of God and life itself will be perfect. I wonder just how complete my comprehension is of what heaven will be like. Not only will there be joy and happiness, peace and abundant blessing, but there will be a total lack of anything of a negative nature. This is what we look forward to. John prefaces this passage with a reminder that God will wipe every tear away from the eyes of the saints.

This is what is to come, but I know that, even now, God can take our tears and wipe them away. We are not yet free of crying and pain but we have full access to the way through. The pain, all pain, was borne by Christ on the cross. He took it then, and He will take it now. As I come to him, bearing the full measure of my pain and baring my very soul to him, so He lifts my pain from me and brings me to a place of peace.

Lord God,

I rejoice in the hope of what is to come. I rejoice also in the knowledge and reality of what is immediately mine.

You will come in glory and purity and all pain will be gone. Hallelujah! I await this great and glorious day.

You are also already here and in this I truly rejoice. In the present You are with me. Indeed, at this very moment You are here. Hallelujah! I praise Your Name. You wipe away my tears even now. In You I find rest and calm, peace and blessing.

Glorious Lord and precious Saviour, thank You for Your presence. Lead me through this day, in Jesus’ Name I ask.                    Amen.

The Lion of Judah

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”      Rev. 5.5

No one in the entire universe is worthy, save one. The Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah is the only one worthy. He gave His life. It wasn’t taken from Him, He gave it. And with His blood He purchased forgiveness, release and life for all.

This mighty One towers above the whole of creation. I can think of the most powerful mortal or the most terrifying act in creation, yet He has authority over all. He is mightier than anything else.

And this mighty being is also the most loving. He is the one who says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This wonderful One is Overcomer, Saviour and Friend. The song reminds us “What a friend we have in Jesus”. If we are willing, we will find everything in Jesus.

Lord Jesus,

I am strongly reminded by this verse of Your might, Your power, and Your total omnipotence. Matthew also reminds me of You love, Your care, Your gentleness and Your concern, Your deep concern – for me.

I receive these things in total today. You are indeed all things. You are my powerful deliverer and protector. You are my lover and truest friend.

May we travel together through this day? As we do so, I ask You to increase in me the reality of You. I want to know You more. I want to come closer to You. I ask for this in Your precious Name.                                                                                                                                        Amen.