Ponder It Prayerfully: Joy is a word not often associated with pain or difficult circumstances. In fact, the dictionary defines joy as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying” (Dictionary.com). We can see, based on this definition, that joy and happiness are interchangeable words, and are temporary emotions based on circumstances. So, how was Jesus able to maintain joy in the midst of great suffering? How was He able to endure the pain of the cross? Glad you asked! He was able to endure the pain of the cross because He had joy, but not just any kind of joy–He had the joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). According to the Nelson Study Bible commentary,

“The joy of the Lord is the joy that springs up in our hearts because of our relationship with the Lord. It is a God-given gladness found when we are in communion with God [and ] when our goal is to know more about the Lord, the by-product is His joy”.

Thus, the joy of the Lord is different from mere happiness in that it stems not from circumstances, but our relationship with the Lord, and because of God is unchanging, this joy remains steadfast and unchanging as well. Furthermore, the above scripture in Hebrews indicates that Jesus was also able to endure the cross because of “the joy that was set before Him”. Our Lord Jesus understood that in order to fulfill His purpose while on this earth, which was to garner our salvation, He would have to make the ultimate sacrifice and pay the ultimate price, enduring the shame and pain of the cross. He focused not on the suffering He would endure , but on the reward. The joy of our salvation gave Him the strength to keep moving on toward the cross.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): So how do we maneuver the emotions that come with difficult circumstances while maintaining joy? A good question…glad you asked! There are two things important truths from this scripture that we can gain insight from — secrets to steadfast joy. Firstly,  our joy needs to be based not on our circumstances, but on a relationship with God. The Word says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Thus, a thriving relationship with God is vital in maintaining a joy that can break down the walls of depression that can come from trials. Secondly, we need to know and understand the purpose for which we were created. God created us all with a specific purpose in mind, and understanding this truth helps our joy remain steadfast, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Without a knowledge of our purpose, we are more likely to give up in this walk of faith (Hosea 4:6). In the midst of our trials, let’s allow Jesus to be our example, as we imitate Him in the way He endured and maintained His joy on the way to making the ultimate sacrifice. It’s been said that the enemy of our souls is not after our wealth, or health, or the like, but is after our joy, because he knows if he can destroy that, he can weaken us and take us out of the race. Do not give him that chance — let the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Instead of your shame, you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion, therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs (Isaiah 62:7).

Pray It Personally: Heavenly Father, as your word says that the joy of the Lord is my strength, so even in the midst of my difficult circumstance, I ask that You be my strength, and that my joy in you remains steadfast and unbending, in the joy-giving name of Jesus, Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: Pain is a word we don’t usually like to hear. In fact, we tend to cringe on hearing this word. Pain is inevitable though in this life of free wills and human frailties, and while the thought of embracing pain might be somewhat unusual, it is absolutely necessary if we are going to experience a depth of relationship with God like we have never experienced before. The Psalmist in the scripture above (this psalm is attributed to the Sons of Korah) seems to be experiencing so deep an anguish that he cries out, “…My tears have been my food day and night…” (Verse 3a), but in the midst of this seeming despair, he encourages himself by saying, “…Hope now in God, for I shall yet praise Him…” (Verse 5b).

Be A Doer: How do you react to pain? Do you acknowledge it and allow it to mold and shape your character? Or do you sulk and whine all day long, bemoaning your bad fortune, blaming everyone for the pain that seems to be your constant companion? I heard it once said that pain purifies our faith, and I am inclined to agree. We are encouraged in James 1 to “…count it all joy when [we] fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of [our] faith produces patience…let patience have it’s perfect work, that [we] may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing…” (Vs 2-4, NKJV). Pain is essential for Christian maturity, and having a good response to the pain that occurs as a result of trials anchors us deeply and enables God to finish what He began in us (Phil 1:6). Furthermore, it enables us to see and experience God in a whole new way — a personal way.  Job went through a season of pain and after God revealed Himself to him, he was able to say, “I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand–from my own eyes and ears!” (Job 42:5, Msg). We will all go through seasons of pain in our lifetime that stem from trials and circumstances, and it is of vital importance that we don’t allow the bitterness and anger that can arise from circumstances sever our budding relationship with the Lover of our souls. Let’s allow the pain we experience draw us deeper in our relationship with God. Let’s allow the pain refine our character and produce mature and unrelenting faith in God. Let’s trust God in the midst of our pain, knowing that He is still in control. Draw close to God during this season, and whatever you do, do not dare let go of God’s unchanging hand!

Hide It In Your Heart: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (II Corinthians 4:8-9, NIV)

Pray It Personally: Heavenly Father, I thank You for every experience I get to have with you in this walk of faith, including this season of pain. Mold and shape me in this season, Lord, and help me experience You like never before. Complete the work you began in me, Father, and help me become everything you have called me to be. May You get the glory out of this situation and Father, I trust that you will use all this for me good. I give you all honor and praise, in the comforting Name of Jesus, My Lord. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: A bloody Nile did not change Pharaoh’s heart about letting the Israelites go. In Exodus chapter 8 we see that after seven days of bloody water, Moses went to Pharaoh and said what the Lord had told him to say, that He would smite the river with frogs if Pharaoh refused to let the people of Israel go. Aaron stretched his hand over the waters of Egypt, and frogs came up. The Bible says they covered the land of Egypt, indicating that they were everywhere; there was no part of Egypt where there were no frogs. Finally, Pharaoh had had enough and asked Moses to ask God to take away the frogs. “I will let the people go,” he said (vs 8).

However, when Moses asked when he should intreat the Lord, Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.”

With frogs all over Egypt, in their beds, bedrooms, ovens, kneadingtroughs and even on people, how could Pharaoh say that he would let the children of Israel go ‘tomorrow’?

This is what sin, and a love of sin, does. Sin can be like the frogs that plagued Egypt; it can affect every single thing we do and every place we go if we refuse to let go of it. However, for that one guilty pleasure, just like Pharaoh’s desire to keep the Israelites enslaved to him, sinners who do not want to let go of their sin will continue to procrastinate.

Moses’ response was “Be it according to thy word.” What we desire in this area of life, we will get. God has set before us life and death and commanded us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30). If Pharaoh had wanted the frogs out that minute, Moses would have prayed for the Lord to take them away. If we do not want to let go of sin, if we do not seek the Lord for strength to let it go, He will let it be according to our word and our desire.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): There is no time for procrastination. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no man. We can safely say that Pharaoh did not know for sure that he would live to see the next day. In the book of Acts we see Paul preaching to Aggripa and Felix, and Aggripa says, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).  Almost – that is one of the most dangerous words of all time. The book of Hebrews tells us that the Holy Spirit says, “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts as in… the day of temptation in the wilderness.” (Hebrews 3:7-8.)

If God is calling you to salvation, the time to accept that call is now. If He is asking you to let go of something, the time to do so is now. Do not be so in love with sin and with the world that you are willing to live amongst frogs just to be able to keep your sin. Sin eventually leads to death but the gift of God is eternal life. Do not wait for tomorrow. You do not know what the future holds.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2).

Pray It Personally: God, do the work You desire to do in me, today. For all the things in which I have been a procrastinator, I ask that You would forgive me. Father in heaven, give me a heart that loves you and take away the desire for sin and for the ways of this world. I want to obey You and walk in Your ways. Guide and keep me and strengthen me to do Your will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: This morning, let us consider two kinds of people: those who solve problems, and those who aggravate problems. Here, in Exodus 7, we are told that in obedience to the Lord’s command, Aaron smote the waters and they became blood. The magicians, on seeing this, did the same thing.

Let’s ask ourselves a few questions. The Bible says all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood . . . . there was blood throughout the land of Egypt.

The Nile was the main source of water for Egypt and it is clear that it was all blood. So where did the magicians find water to turn to blood and try to prove their point? They had to look for it somewhere. As Jon Courson once said, one would think that because there was no water to drink, the magicians would save any water that they found and distribute it accordingly, or as it was able to be distributed. However, in an attempt to outdo the men of God, they made the situation worse.

“Miracles” performed by the devil only make things worse and are therefore no miracles at all. The thief only  comes to steal, kill and destroy, John 10:10.

Compare these magicians with the problem-solving men of God whose stories are found all over the Bible. In Genesis, we are told the house of Potiphar prospered because of Joseph. Egypt did not starve, because he was able to interpret the king’s dream, and so on. In Daniel we are told severally how complex situations were solved and interpreted. Lepers who encountered Jesus were healed. There are more situations than can be recounted in this devotion.

Miracles performed by God make people whole and improve their situations.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): This morning, let us ask ourselves what kind of people we are. What happens to the atmosphere of a room when we walk in? Are we kingdom-minded or are we constantly trying to outdo others? Are we solutions to problems, as we should be, or do we make things worse for others? Jesus said either make a tree good, and its fruit good, or make it corrupt and its fruit corrupt – it shall be known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). Disciples of Jesus Christ are known by their love for each other. Love by its nature creates improvement in situations, it does not make things worse for others, because it is not self-seeking. Where God is, there is joy and deliverance.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, search my heart today. Try me, know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: As the time of their deliverance approached, the Israelites experienced increased tribulation, so much so that they became angry with Moses (Exodus 5:21) and refused to listen to him because of their anguish (Exodus 6:9). Pharaoh made things really difficult for them, as the enemy often will when he realizes that we are determined to break free.

Moses and Aaron then went to Pharaoh, and Pharaoh demanded a miracle. When he got what he asked for, he decided that it was not such a big deal and called his own magicians, who did the same things – only up to a point. Aaron’s rod, we are told, swallowed up the magicians’ rods.

Jesus told us that in the last days, there will be people who perform false miracles. We are told that the devil can appear as an angel of light. However, he can only imitate the things of God up to a point, and even then, those who are close to the Lord will discern the source of the wonders.

God gives us joy; the world counterfeits this in entertainment. God gives us peace; the world prescribes medication. God gives us strength; the world does what it can, through cosmetics and the like, to try to get us to think we are invincible. But it can only go on up to a point, and we then realize that we can still not do without God. The Lord is a solution to the problem; the world tries unsuccessfully to treat symptoms. And even as God calls out to us in genuine miracles, through answered prayers, on television, at church, there are some who, like Pharaoh, will refuse to hear. After a point, if we choose deception, the Lord will give us up into it; He will not force the truth on us but instead will allow those who choose the lie, to be strongly deluded (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

The enemy cannot create life, and he cannot create light. All he can do is lie.

Be a Doer (James 1:22): John tells us to test the spirits, and find out whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone into the world (1 John 4:1). Paul tells us that we must prove all things and hold fast to what is good; we must abstain from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). The time is short and the enemy is desperate. As the return of the Lord draws closer, deception will become more rampant. We must be careful to ensure that we do not fall for the tricks of Pharaoh’s magicians.

In our own strength, this is not possible. But as we walk with the Lord continually, He will show us and speak to us and reveal those who are not His.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Matthew 24:24, Jude 1:24-25).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, I know that the end is near. As the birth pangs ring closer and closer together, the false teachers seem to be on the increase. Your Word says that we should take heed if we think we stand, lest we fall. Thank You for Your ability to keep me from falling. Let me never be enticed by false signs and wonders, but rather let me be forever enraptured with Your still, small voice, the voice of my Army Commander that rings strong and clear like the sound of many waters. I love You and am thankful that You loved me first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: Continuing on in our study of Exodus: The chapter takes an interesting turn at this point, one that for some reason many people miss. For some reason, God was angry with Moses. The story that follows is what we can conclude to be the reason for God’s anger. Moses was supposed to lead the Israelites, yet his son was not circumcised – this was a command that all the Israelites had to follow (Genesis 17:12). His wife had to circumcise their son, and out of anger for his neglect to do the duty of a father, she left him.

As Matthew Henry says:

God met Moses in anger. The Lord threatened him with death or sent sickness upon him, as the punishment of his having neglected to circumcise his son. When God discovers to us what is amiss in our lives, we must give all diligence to amend it speedily. This is the voice of every rod; it calls us to return to Him that smites us. God sent Aaron to meet Moses. The more they saw of God’s bringing them together, the more pleasant their interview was. The elders of Israel met them in faith, and were ready to obey them. It often happens, that less difficulty is found than was expected, in such undertakings as are according to the will of God, and for his glory. Let us but arise and try at our proper work, the Lord will be with us and prosper us. If Israel welcomed the tidings of their deliverance, and worshipped the Lord, how should we welcome the glad tidings of redemption, embrace it in faith, and adore the Redeemer!

Be A Doer (James 1:22): When God tells us to do something, we must do it. We cannot expect to hold an office in the service of the Lord if we are not being obedient to Him. Yes, there are many false teachers out there, but those whom He has chosen must hold to His standard of holiness, and continually live in obedience to Him. James, knowing this, says that there should be few teachers, because teachers receive greater judgment. This is because leadership positions wield an immense ability to influence the masses and should therefore not be taken lightly. People who lead others in worship should be of pure hearts and should not stand in front of a congregation and expect to usher them into God’s presence if they are not right with God. It is also dangerous for us to take Holy Communion if our hearts are not right (1 Corinthians 11:27-31).

It is after Moses’ son is circumcised that Aaron then meets him, and his ministry truly begins. As Christians, and given the Great Commission, all of us are in ministry and therefore should live obedient lives. Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15).

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:50).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, give me an obedient heart, and teach me to do Your will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: An ungodly person has a dangerous and deadly future. The Bible says that the steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Sinners may have their way now, but they will not partake of the joyful future that God promises to His righteous servants. Destruction was never purposed for human beings, and therefore sinners who end up perishing have only themselves to blame. God knows the way of the righteous, but to the ungodly He says, “Depart from me; I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23, 25:41.)

Be a Doer (James 1:22): This verse encourages us to be strong in God and to continue faithfully in the path that He has set out for us. David was envious of the wicked until he remembered that God alone was the strength of his life, just as He is the strength of our lives and our portion for ever. The God who called us and chose us will carry us, and He will never slumber or sleep. His thoughts toward us are innumerable and His love for us is unquenchable. Things may or may not look too good right now, but in the Lord, the story has a happy ending.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, I thank You because the end that You have for me is better than any trial I may encounter in this present realm. Thank You because You have given me the portion of the godly, You chose and called me and loved me before I ever knew You. Draw me nearer to You and away from covetousness and the lies of the enemy, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: The ungodly are not so – not how? Not like the righteous and blessed. They walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, and sit in the seat of the scornful. They do not delight in the Word of God and are therefore not stable. They do not bring forth fruit, their leaves are dry, their lifestyles are not connected to the Lord. Thus they will not last or live.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): As Matthew Henry’s concise commentary says, “Those that, by their own sin and folly, make themselves as chaff, will be found so before the whirlwind and fire of Divine wrath. The doom of the ungodly is fixed, but whenever the sinner becomes sensible of this guilt and misery, he may be admitted into the company of the righteous by Christ the living way, and become in Christ a new creature. He has new desires, new pleasures, hopes, fears, sorrows, companions, and employments. His thoughts, words, and actions are changed. He enters on a new state, and bears a new character. Behold, all things are become new by Divine grace, which changes his soul into the image of the Redeemer. How different the character and end of the ungodly!”

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness (Psalm 9:8).

Pray it Personally: Lord, help me to be strong and firmly rooted in You. I long to live a righteous and holy life, not a fruitless and ungodly one. I know that all things are possible with You and I choose to stay connected to You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: There are many types of plants that line riverbanks. David could have chosen to use any of them. But his choice of the tree as a metaphor is no accident. A godly woman is not like a reed, a weed or a blade of grass. She is like a tree. She is strong and sturdy. She does not sway when the wind blows, like grass or reeds. Her leaves may move, but her trunk is firm and her roots dig deep.

She is planted – deliberately set or put there. She is not like something that floats around and accidentally lands by the rivers of water. She is not like a twig lying idly somewhere near the river. She does not just happen to be there. Someone, the Planter, tilled the soil, got the seed and placed it in that particular spot. She is close to her Source and Sustenance. Trees cannot grow without water. The rains might fail, but her root is connected to the River that never dries. Jeremiah says that this kind of person will not even see when the drought comes or fear in the year of drought (Jeremiah 17:7-8). This person will not know spiritual drought from experience, but rather only from hearing about it from others. David put it this way, A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee (Psalm 91:7).

This tree brings forth its fruit in its season – not anybody else’s. A mango tree will never bring forth bananas nor will planting a pear seed result in a fig tree. Different plants flourish in different seasons. Jesus said we are known by our fruits (Matthew 7:16-20). The Word says we should work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). A woman of God runs the race in the lane He has set for her, not looking back or to the side but  rather keeping her eyes on Him. Every tree must bring forth its own fruit. We each have to know God for ourselves – through a personal relationship with Him; not through our pastors or through books, even though these are useful.

The fruit in a godly woman’s life is brought forth at the right time – not prematurely or when it is long overdue. Thus when the fruit is green, she is not worried that it is not ripening too fast. And should she be called home before she ever sees the fruit mature to fullness, she is not worried either; she knows that her fruit might outlast her, just like we are right now in 2010 reaping the fruits of the lives of people such as Paul the Apostle and others who wrote the scriptures, and just like Jesus who on the day He resurrected knew that “it is finished” was a cry that rang ahead of that time to forthcoming generations.

Her leaf shall not wither; this means that she is constantly and perpetually full of life. Because she is close to the Source of her life, she is constantly watered. It is for this reason that everything she does will prosper. Nothing that God begins can fail. It may not appear to succeed in human terms or as seen by shortsighted and frail fleshly beings made of clay, but His ways are definitely not our ways and His Word never returns to Him void.

Be a Doer (James 1:22): A life directed by the Lord is the only truly peaceful life. As women who long to give our best and be used of the Lord, our only hope is in Him and our only mode of survival is remaining connected to Him. We should not look at other people’s failures or successes as a way to measure our own. Instead, we should look to Jesus, learn from Jesus, remain in Jesus, trust in Jesus, talk to Jesus, in order to get where He has called us to be. We may not see the fruits of our actions in this realm, but He who never forgets has them all in mind and will never forget our labour of love. Nothing He starts can fail; nothing He opens can be shut; nothing He shuts can be opened (Revelation 3:7) and everything is naked and bare before Him (Hebrews 4:13). He is the Lord in whom we should take delight (Psalm 1:1, Psalm 37:4) and without whom we are nothing (John 1:3).

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand (Genesis 39:2-3).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, Your Word in Psalm 92 says that righteous people prosper like the cedars of Lebanon, and flourish in Your courts. Forgive me for hewing for myself broken cisterns that cannot hold water when I have You as my Eternal Source. Help me to truly understand the importance of staying connected to You in all things. Thank You for making me righteous by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Let me long to please You, and refrain from competing with my brothers and sisters or worse, with the ungodly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: To delight in something is to be fascinated by something, to take pleasure in something, to be attracted to something, usually above other things. When we delight in something it does not matter what other people think of it. The Word of God is a myth to some and a bore to others but to the virtuous woman it is fascinating and enjoyable and realer than reality.

Meditating on the Word of God day and night means studying it diligently, regularly, not sporadically. It means having it in our hearts at all times and applying it to our lives, because it is inevitable that our thoughts eventually manifest as actions. Because we are fascinated by the Word of God, we think of it in our waking moments and we see it in our dreams.

“Day and night” could also refer to periods or seasons in life. During the day, everything is bright, sunny, things are working out for us and we are absolutely in love with the Lord. At night, there is weeping, darkness, despair, but the blessed and virtuous woman does not allow this to draw her away from the Word. Many times, it is the Word that we ingest during the “day,” when there is joy, that comes to our mind in the “night” seasons, when we weep for a moment (Psalm 30:5).

Be a Doer (James 1:22): In order for the Word to continue being our delight, we have to be careful to surround ourselves with people for whom it is a delight as well. We must resist the norms of the world and refuse to believe those who brand the Word as superstition. We should also look for confirmation of it in our daily lives. Usually, what we study in the Scripture in the morning will be brought to our mind during the day in a practical moment where we will have to apply it. Setting aside times to study the Word of God is one major and productive way of cultivating our relationships with Jesus Christ. The woman who delights in God’s Word is blessed.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8.)

Pray it Personally: Father in heaven, thank You for choosing me and naming me a virtuous woman. Give me a desire to study Your Word. Place a longing in my heart to hear from You at all times. Let me have a memory that retains what you teach me and help me to apply Your teachings in my daily walk with You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Read it Aloud: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).

Ponder It Prayerfully: Blessed is the [wo]man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. The word blessed, “ehsher” in Hebrew, means happy. Remember Jacob’s son Asher, whom Leah’s maid bore? And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. (Genesis 30:13.) His name is derived from this word.

An ungodly person is anybody, no matter how nice they may appear to be, who does not acknowledge and revere God in his or her life. Counsel from such a person is normally humanistic in nature. It may appear to be wise, but because God is not involved in their decisions, ungodly people give ungodly advice. Which people do we allow to counsel us? Which talk shows do we wait for on a daily basis? Whose lifestyles do we emulate?

Nor standeth in the way of sinners. The way of sinners is the broad way. Nobody gets there by accident. Somebody who is standing in the way of sinners is likely to end up being encountered and led astray by a sinner and by sin. We are told to abstain from every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22), not to stand or dwell in it. Christian women stand on the Rock (Psalm 40:2). Their feet stand within the gates of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:2). They are not found in the way of sinners nor does foolish curiosity trick them into exploring ungodly paths; rather, temptation, when it comes, has to find them living their holy lives. Paul tells us to take heed if we think we stand, lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). We may be standing, but where are we standing? We should never tempt evil by placing ourselves in situations where we can be tempted.

Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. A scornful person is one who does not hear rebuke (Proverbs 13:1), is an abomination to man and will eventually be consumed. Some synonyms for the word scornful are arrogant, contemptuous, cynical, egotistic, haughty, insolent and sneering. To sit in the seat of the scornful is to risk becoming a scorner because Paul tells us that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Notice the trend, which was pointed out to me at a fellowship a few weeks ago. The woman is first walking. Then she stands. Finally, she is comfortably sitting. Somebody who listens to the wrong counsel and imitates immoral lifestyles will soon begin to explore other sinful behaviours, and eventually she will be impossible to correct. She will therefore not be blessed or happy.

What we should then do is to seek counsel first from God Himself, and then if He leads us to, from those who have His heart. We should flee every appearance of evil and refuse to be influenced by scorners, maintaining discretion and grace as well as meekness and quietness. It is only in God that we can be truly blessed.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. (Psalm 26:4-5, NKJV).

Pray It Personally: Heavenly Father, Your blessing makes rich and adds no sorrow with it. Your commndments are not grievous and I can be obedient by Your grace. Because I want to be blessed, I refuse to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners and sit in the seat of the scornful. I rely solely on Your grace to get me to where You want me to be, and I thank You for the wonderful blessings that are found in Your Presence, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: We saw yesterday that we must continually abide in God in order to proceed in the callings that He gives us or places in our lives. Jesus said in John 15 that we should abide in Him if we are to bear any fruit.

Today, we see that the fact that God has sent us does not mean the people He sends us to will co-operate. Some times, He deliberately purposes this for His glory. In this passage, He tells Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart. In the book of Nehemiah, we see that Sanballat and Tobiah worked constantly to undermine Nehemiah as he supervised the building of the wall of Jerusalem. This did not discredit the fact that he was doing the will of God, nor did Saul’s jealousy mean that David was not anointed. When Jesus was arrested, and Peter cut off a soldier’s ear, the Lord said, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (Matthew 26:53-54). God is ultimately in control and nothing on earth or anywhere else can happen without His permission.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Opposition does not mean that we are not called. In fact, it could be one indicator that we are indeed called. Jesus guaranteed that in this world, we would have tribulation (John 16:33) but He encouraged us to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world. Tribulation can come in the form of naysayers, hard-hearted people and persecution of all forms. It does not in any way mean that we are not called. If we are certain that we have heard from God, like Moses did in Exodus 3 and thereafter, then we must proceed in His work regardless of what people say, try or think. It might just be that the Lord Himself is hardening their hearts for His glory.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will (Proverbs 21:1).

Pray It Personally: Thank You heavenly Father for the strength You provide for me to keep going in Your purposes. Thank You because You are forever in control and You have overcome the world. Thank You because You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Thank You that those who know You will do exploits. I submit myself to Your divine purpose and I ask for strength to keep going despite opposition, to the glory of Your Name, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: The Lord guided Moses every step of the way. He had already told Moses that He was sending him to Pharaoh. But here, we see Him saying, yet again, “Go, return to Egypt.”

He spoke the same, step-by-step way to Elijah in the book of 1 Kings. He first told Elijah to turn eastward and hide by the brook Cherith (17:2). After a while, the brook dried, and the Lord told Elijah to go to Zarephath, where He had commanded a widow to feed him (17:8-9). As a final example for this case, in 18:1, we see the Lord saying again, “Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.”

Joseph also relied heavily on God’s guidance. When he heard that Mary was pregnant, he wanted to quietly “put her away” so that he did not embarrass or ashame her. However, the Lord interrupted his plans by sending an angel to tell him that this was of God (Matthew 1:19-25). Shortly after this, king Herod decided to put to death all children. Joseph and Mary, again instructed by the angel of the Lord, fled to Egypt. When Herod died, an angel again told Joseph to go back to Israel because it was now safe. Even after he got to Israel, he still relied on God’s guidance to stay in Nazareth (Matthew 2).

Be A Doer (James 1:22): It is important for us to understand that we must constantly hear God for every step of our journey with Him. King David always consulted the Lord before a war because He knew that the fact that God had once said “pursue the Philistines” did not necessarily mean He would say it again, and if He did, it did not mean He would give the same method of pursuit or warfare. Moses knew he was called but he had to wait for the right timing.

We may know that God has called and chosen us to a particular ministry or position, but this is no license to stop seeking Him about the issue. We must rely on Him continually for guidance on the why, where, when and how, as He chooses to reveal them to us (sometimes He chooses to withhold some information from us for His own divine purpose). Two things are crucial for us to move in our area of calling. The first is to ensure that we are called by God, and the second is to make sure it is the right time to move.

For us to hear from God, we must be listening and we must be able to recognize His voice. Be it still and small (1 Kings 19:12) or like the sound of many waters (eg Ezekiel 43:2, Revelation 1:15), His children will heed it and obey it as soon as He speaks.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, many times I am tempted to run ‘ahead’ of You; in this busy life and the culture of today, it is easy to forget to slow down and hear from You before proceeding into anything. I ask today that You would help me to remember to seek Your guidance and to be humble enough to wait for it before I make any move, however simple or complicated it may appear to be. You make big things from nothingness, and you reduce complicated things to nothingness – that is why You are the God of gods and my praise belongs to You. Thank You for who You are and for who You make me to be, day by day, step by step, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: Moses was still giving excuses. But was the Lord unaware of his limitations? No. God knew that Moses stuttered and was not eloquent. The Lord Himself created Moses and we can even say that these limitations were deliberately set in place by God. Knowing Moses’ weaknesses and inadequacies, God still called him to lead the Israelites.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Many times God will call us into areas where we do not qualify in our natural strength. This is because in order for us to be fruitful in ministry, we must be humble, and for humility to be evident in our lives, we must lean on the Lord at all times (John 15). Throughout the Bible, the Lord provides examples of weak men who had to rely on Him for strength to do what He called them to do. The old man, Abraham, had a son; the coward, Gideon, led an army; the young boy, David, killed a giant… and so on. Like one person said, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. His reminder to Moses was that Moses’ limitations did not make God any less God. With Him, nothing is impossible. When we are tempted to feel inadequate, we should remember that our weaknesses are not what propel us in ministry; it is in the Lord that we go forth.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, I thank You because You know my weaknesses, and I do not have to be strong because I have all things in You. Help me to remember at all times that You made man’s mouth – You made me, just as I am, and in You, I can do all things because You strengthen me for the journey. Thank You for Your love and provision, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

3Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

4O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

5Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

6Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.

7God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: “They will not believe me.” Moses still needed his faith built up slightly. He knew that he had a huge task ahead of him and wanted clarification, if not for himself, then for the people of Israel, that God had indeed sent him. They had rejected him once already, when he tried to stop a fight (Exodus 2:13). What if it happened again? He wanted to know for sure that his mission was divine.

“What is that in thine hand?… A rod.” This was his shepherd’s staff, the tool of his work. He needed it to make a living because without it, he could not control his sheep. He needed it to fight off wild animals and to pull the sheep close to him when they strayed.

When Moses cast the rod to the ground, it became a serpent. When he took it up by the tail, it became a rod again.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): God answers our genuine questions. He is willing to confirm His word to us if we ever doubt. Here, we see like Moses that the things we seem to depend on for our daily livelihood can actually cause us harm, but when they are in our control – when we “take the rod up” understanding that it can change into a snake that can bite, then we are no longer attached to it but to the God it submits to. We are told in verse 20 that Moses rod had become the rod of God. Having faith in God can help us to conquer difficult circumstances as well as to master our professions and money instead of having them master us. No matter how dangerous a situation looks, if we do not fear and trust God, following His leading, we will be conquerors in all things.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Pray it Personally: Father in heaven, thank You for the guidance You provide and for the miracles You work in my life. Let money or my calling never master or control me. Teach me to be a good steward. Help me to be confident when You send me and to continually trust that You will show Yourself strong in the mission that You have called me to accomplish, in Jesus’ Name.

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(Entire Passage: Exodus 3:11-22.)

Ponder it Prayerfully: It is interesting that Stephen the martyr, in his sermon, said that Moses supposed that God would use him to deliver the Israelites (Acts 7:24-25), but yet in this passage, we see that Moses was anything but confident when the call came. When he slew the Egyptian, he was seemingly aware of this fact. What happened between that point, and this point of his life when it was time to begin to walk in his calling? Did he feel less qualified because he was now a shepherd, or did the reality of the situation finally sink in – that under God’s leading, he would be in charge of thousands of people?

In this passage, God tells Moses everything that is going to transpire. The Lord already knows that Pharaoh will be stubborn, but that His people will go free. He sees ahead and still counts Moses worthy to take up this position as a leader to the Israelites. He knows the mistakes Moses will make, but still calls him.

It is not so much who Moses is. It is entirely about who God is and thus by extension about what God wants.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): In the same way, you and I may wonder, “Who am I…” to tell this person about Jesus, to start that business, to witness to that stranger, to offer help to that friend, to write that song, to teach that topic. Maybe we started out with zeal, like princesses, but somehow made mistakes and ended up shepherding in the desert, and now we laugh to think we can be used of God. Just like He spoke to Moses, the Lord says to us, “It is not who you are, but who I AM.” Who we are is inconsequential because we can do nothing in our own strength. At the same time, who we are is a big deal because we were created for His glory and all our flaws, our pasts, our failures, have worked together until this point where the Lord knows we are ready and says, “Go.”

And yet, for our information, as a bonus, we are reminded that because of who He is, we are royalty; sons; His own children… He loved us so much that He decided to adopt us…

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

Pray It Personally: God, Your Name is I AM – You are everything to me. Because You are I AM, my flesh is unnecessary; my help is futile; my efforts do nothing. You saved us by grace, Lord; help me to rest in that amazing grace, and to walk strong in the calling You have given me, and remember that I am royalty because of that grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

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Ponder it Prayerfully: Again, we are reminded that the Lord sees the plight of His people and hears their cries when they are oppressed.

He says, “Come now therefore.” The word “therefore” is an adverb whose use gives the meaning of “because” or “on that ground.” (Dictionary.com). The Lord is saying here that because He has seen the plight of the children of Israel, He is sending Moses to Pharaoh. The Lord came down to deliver them, yes, but He did it through, or using, a man.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): Many times we wait for God to do something about something, when in reality it is the reason that He has placed us in that situation or even caused us to notice it. As we pray about solutions to our problems, we should listen to Him and see if He has not put us where we are to be a solution. The church is the light (Luke 11:33, Matthew 5:15) and salt of the world (Matthew 5:13). Light is a solution or a better alternative to darkness. Salt is a solution or preferable alternative to tastelessness. In the same way, the church shines in this dark world and makes this realm more palatable because of the vision of a better place that the Lord has for us.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14).

Pray It Personally: Father in heaven, I know that You have put me here to take up my role in the church that is light and salt. Today, I ask You to help me pay attention to You while I pray, so that I will know if You are sending me like You did Moses. Use me, and let my life serve the purpose You designed for it, may I fulfill the destiny that You have for me here, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Ponder It Prayerfully: We are reminded here that the Lord sees our affliction. Not only did He see the affliction of the Israelites, but He knew it – not just knew about it but knew it as intimately as He would if He were going through it Himself.

What human beings cannot do for His people, God will do. He will come down personally to deliver us if people afflict us. He cares about us enough to actually move on our behalf and do something that He could very easily do with just a word. He came down personally to deliver us from our sins and from eternal death.

A good land and large, flowing with good things: God does not deliver us from trouble into trouble. He delivers us into freedom – freedom cannot be quantified but God delivers us into abundant freedom. The enemies that seem so big, like armies – the Amorites, the Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites – are no threat. God is infinitely mightier than their mightiest.

God heard the cry of the Israelites and He hears our cries today.

Be A Doer (James 1:22): We should first of all refrain from being like the Egyptian taskmasters that tortured the Israelites, or the Pharisees that Jesus would later say, bound heavy burdens, grievous to be borne, and laid them on men’s shoulders, but would not lift a single one with even a finger (Matthew 23:4, paraphrase). Secondly, we should remember that in this world, we will all have tribulation, but God sees and knows our sufferings and will deliver us from them like He did to the Israelites.

Hide It In Your Heart (Psalm 119:11): The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).

Pray It Personally: Heavenly Father, thank You for not distancing Yourself from the afflictions that Your children go through. If I feel vexed by the pressures and plunders of this world, please comfort me with the reminder that You know my afflictions, and You came down personally to deliver me. In You, I am victorious, and for this I am eternally thankful. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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