Text: Matthew 6:8
By: Bro. Owarotah, Vincent (Deacon)
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8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. – Matthew 6:8
In Life, we often face adverse circumstances that challenge our faith, and willingness to obey God.
It can be life threatening sickness, lack of job, lack of the fruit of the womb, lack of peace in marriage name them but a few.
Everyone has one challenge or the other. Job 14:1 reads, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of [a]trouble”. But in all this, God said in the book of Psalms 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, A[a] very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
Let’s take some case study
Looking At The Widow Of Zarephath – 1 kings 17:8-16.
This is how faith and obedience can remarkably transform our situations. The story begin with Elijah a prophet of God who boldly confront king Ahab and queen Jezebel about their wickedness and lack of devotion to God, as a result God declared a severe drought over the whole land, leading to a devastating famine.
Elijah himself experienced the effects of this adversity as he was commanded by God to hide himself in a particular place where he was miraculously sustained with water and food.
As the famine intensifies the widow of Zarephath found herself in dire situation, this widow and her only son had only one time meal to eat and possibly die. Because the all-knowing God saw her situation, he came at the right time to rescue her and her son from the devastating famine through the prophet Elijah.
Elijah guided by God approached the widow and requested for water, she responded with obedience and goes to get it, however when Elijah asked for bread as well, her fear and doubt became evident. But Elijah assured her saying do not be afraid.
Hannah – 1 Samuel 1
The story of Hannah is a lesson on endurance, which is good for our spiritual formation, though she wept and lost her appetite while battling grief and anguish she found her strength in God.
Sometime our faith journey requires us to endure an uncomfortable season, just remember his word in Hebrews 13:5 which says “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
What is your challenge or challenges He is inviting us to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:16.
This is not the throne of judgement, but of mercy. Christ our high priest he has been here before he had felt the pain you are feeling right now even death, in this regard, God is not looking at us but his son who is without sin, not us because we deserve judgement but he has invited us to come boldly to obtain mercy, this is an invitation we should not ignore, all we have to do is to come before him in humility because he resist the proud and give grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5b. Some time we need to do the unthinkable, appreciating God in advance for what we are praying for, as if we have it already thanking God for my wife, for my husband for my children whatever you are in need of and see if he will not answer.
LESSONS TO TAKE HOME
- Know That God Is In Total Control
Rom15:4 read those things written afore time are written for us to lean that as God had done it to his children before us he will do it for us he only needs you to trust him he will surely bring it to pass.
- We Should Exercise Faith Over Fear – 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear is the weapon Satan uses against us, any time we entertain fear we are defeated.
Giving up is not an option, and that’s what the devil want, we must continue to press on no matter the obstacles on the way, just like the woman with the issues of blood – Luke 8:43-48,
Appreciate where you are in your journey of life even if it is not where you want to be, every season serve a purpose, never give up, never stop believing, your day will come.
- know that is only God who have answers to all you seek – Philippians 4:19
- We Should Be Persistent In Prayer – Luke 18:1,7
Conclusion
As we run the race to meet our creator, let’s understand that in every situations whether it be favourable or not God remain who He is whether in good time or in bad time, and all things will work out for the good of those who love Him.
May the good Lord bless what we have heard and keep us in faith no matter situations we find ourselves in Jesus name amen.
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