Needy

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,

the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.                      

Psalm 72.12-14

These words are written of the king, I think Solomon. He had great responsibility for a lot of people. He was able to help many people who otherwise would have received no help.

These words move me. They remind me of the many who need help today: the needy who cry out daily; the afflicted who think there in no one to help them. Yet there is help. God is our help and our strength. God is there for all people. He will take pity on the weak and the needy. He will save the needy from death. He will rescue the needy from oppression and violence. For their blood is so precious in his sight, their lives and their living mean so much to Him.

God may choose me to help Him. I pray that He does. I ask daily to see people as He sees them. I pray that He will guide me in this, strengthen me and use me. I would delight to join with Him, to be used by Him in this work.

Lord God,

These words spoken of Solomon remind me so much of Your ministry to the lost, the hurting and the broken. I lift the needy to You, the needy everywhere. I know Your heart is wide open toward them. I pray for a similar heart. I ask, not presumptuously but humbly, that You would allow me to work with You – as a co-worker. I pray that You would use me to minister to the needy. Please show me people as You see them. Empower me to minister Your healing to them, to lead them closer to You.

My delight, sweet Saviour, is to walk with You, and to lead others in that way.

Hear my prayer, and answer me, in Jesus’ name I ask.                     Amen.

God Led

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”                         M’t. 2.22,23

God’s plans may be fulfilled in amazing ways. Joseph’s whole sojourn in Egypt with Mary and the child was God led. Joseph was alerted in a dream to go to Egypt. Likewise in a dream, when the threat in Israel was extinguished by Herod’s death, Joseph was told to return to that land.

But he was fearful of making for Judea, for Archelaus now ruled there. Again, God’s direction came in a dream. In response, Joseph headed for the district of Galilee where he settled in Nazareth. In so doing, he fulfilled the prophets’ words that the Messiah would be a Nazarene.

How wonderful are the ways of God. He is able to see that every detail is fulfilled. I note that Joseph was obedient to what he learned from dreams. He fulfilled his part of God’s plan.

Lord God,

I am aware that I do not always do what is pleasing to You. I am sorry and I ask your forgiveness. I want to go the way You would have me go.

May I know Your cleansing now? Turn me around that I may not go the way of the flesh, but fully embrace the Spirit’s way. You directed Joseph through dreams. I ask for Your clear direction for me. Speak to me, please. Show me the way, and lead me in it.

I believe You have purposes for me to fulfil. May I not get in the way of what You would do. I commit anew from this day. Lead on. I love You. Receive my love, in Jesus’ name.        Amen.

God delivers

‘They will pass through the sea of trouble;

the surging sea will be subdued and all the depths of the Nile will dry up.

Assyria’s pride will be brought down and Egypt’s sceptre will pass away.

I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will walk, declares the Lord.                                                                   Zech. 10.11,12

God is talking about delivering His people out of exile. Egypt and Assyria both would have evoked strong memories of slavery and exile for the Jews.

God states that His people will pass through this trouble, the threatening seas that surge around them will be subdued, and the menacing waters of the Nile will dry up. The power and might of the oppressors will be removed and God will strengthen His people in Himself. They will walk in Him.

This is God’s declaration for His people. He spoke it out clearly for the exiled remnant of Jews. But I believe He speaks it just as clearly today. Many of Christ’s followers are threatened – by all manner of affliction in many different situations. The forces of evil that exerted such influence through Assyria and Egypt are equally at work today. Their environment is of now, their manner and persuasion is totally contemporary in every respect. Consequently as we read of God’s deliverance of His people from their old-time foes we do not readily transpose it into today’s society. This, however, does not deny it. God will save His people today. His rescue operation is underway for all who will turn to Him, and heed Him.

The strength we receive in Him will lead us through any conflict. In Him, we are secure, we find the will to fight the poor and pathetic ways of the enemy, demonstrated through a fallen world. We are lifted up and restored into wonderful relationship where we can walk fully in Him.

Father God,

I pray for Your children who are struggling today. I know, like any parent, You are concerned for them, Your desire is to help and protect, save and strengthen.

Great God, Wonderful Dad, I cry out for the lost. Those who are so enmeshed and deceived by ‘Egypt’ and ‘Assyria’, that they can’t take hold of You with any strength, nor sense of reality. Lord, would You reach out to them? Would You hold them in peace, in the palm of Your hand? Let them notice the stillness. Let them feel the peace. Let them know that the  hand of Almighty God , their loving, heavenly Father is on them, to strengthen them and lead them from the grip of the enemy.

Lord God, I thank You for each and every human being on the face of this earth. Reach them, and save them, in Jesus’ name I ask.                   Amen.

Grow Strong

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.            Rom. 4.20,21

Paul is talking about Abraham. What a wonderful example Abraham is! In Paul’s words Abraham’s body was as good as dead and Sarah was barren in the womb. Yet, Abraham knew that God had promised him issue, and that was good enough for him.

I connect particularly with Paul’s words that No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God. This suggests that there might have been distrust, indeed even a series or number of distrusts. Notwithstanding what might have arisen, we are told that nothing caused any wavering on the part of Abraham. He was sure. He knew what God had promised him. He grew strong in his faith. He stood firm. He was fully convinced. There was no distrust, no doubting that God was able to do what He had promised. Abraham gave glory to God.

There are many aspects of Abraham that I should like for myself.

Lord God,

I thank You for the wonderful example of Abraham. I pray that I might emulate his good characteristics. I feel I can do this as I take further hold, and understanding, of the God I can trust. I want to know You, Lord. You are faithful. You are trustworthy. You have plans for me. You make many good promises to me. All of this I reach out to. I embrace You. Draw me closer, Lord. My faith and my trust are growing. I pray for even greater increase. I pray, in Jesus’ name, for more growth in You.                                                Amen.

Open doors

...These are the words of the holy one, the true one,

who has the key of David,

who opens and no-one will shut,

who shuts and no one opens.                                          Rev. 3.7

The Holy One is the true one, and He is able to do all things.

I am reminded of the words I received some time ago when God spoke to me through an intermediary. He said He would open doors for me and He wanted me to walk through whatever doors He opened. He also said He would close doors, and He did not want me to attempt to go through any doors that He would close.

Right now, a lot seems to be happening in my life. There are doors that might be opening. Is God at work? Do I wait to see if He opens wide any of these doors? Do I ask Him to firmly shut any doors that He might not be opening for me?

I have often told people that I do not consider God to be tricky or sneaky. His word exhorts us to ask, to seek and to knock – and we will receive, we will find, and the door will be opened.

Lord God,

I thank You for who You are and I thank You for adopting me as Your precious well-loved child.

I seek to do Your will. I want only to do Your will.

I ask You, Precious Father, to open wide the doors that You would have me go through. And I ask You to close absolutely any doors, any doors whatsoever, that may be open or opening if it is not Your will that I go through them.

I love You. I want so much to work for You.   Hallelujah! Praise Your Name.           Amen.