Sunday, 27 December, 2020

Hey everyone. I would like to welcome you all to this year's last Sunday devotional. God bless you for reading and being here yet again. God bless you. Just pray with me as we begin: Father, open my eyes to the wondrous truth of your word. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. 

Surrounded by problems

Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David's two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. - 1 Samuel 30:1-5 (NKJV)

I have read this particular chapter of the book of Samuel so many times. But there's something about it that is similar to what is still happening around us this year. Most of us will agree that 2020 has been a very unique year. The world has been plagued by some virus and we literally watched all nations close their borders and we watched how countries tried to safeguard us against the virus. 

Apart from that, we also have our personal problems. How does a person live a normal life when it seems like the world is falling apart? How do you gather the strength to remain in faith? So much has happened. I know a few people that were devout to God and this year, they gave up. We know it's been challenging and everyone of us has experienced something different. We don't experience things in the same way. We don't all respond to the circumstances around us in the same way, but maybe this year has caused us to live in great trepidation. While that might seem normal, God still expects us to believe in Him. 

God doesn't change

"I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. - Malachi 3:6 (NLT)

God never changes. That is why He is so amazing. He is always the same. Circumstances do not change Him. Ask yourself why you are still here. It's not because you chose to. God is still keeping you here for a reason. We are not destroyed because God is with us. Why do you believe in God and yet your friends do not seem to believe in Him? It's only because of the presence of God in your life. 

Many things can cause us to stop believing in God. But you are here. Even after all that's happened in the world, you can boldly place your trust in God! I think God has just shown me that He is the Lord! He has shown me that He is One in charge of things. I love what the Scripture says. "I am the Lord, and I do not change." Think about that for a moment. Why is it important to know this, especially in 2020? 

I think it's an encouragement. God can do anything. He is great! He is the Lord of your life. As long as you are born again and have a relationship with God, you really have nothing to worry about. That's why we need to have a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Without Jesus, there is no life. Because of God, we are not consumed. It's not luck. It's not because we are righteous. It's only because God wants us to be around. 

Nothing can hinder the Lord

"Let's go across to the outpost of those pagans," Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" - 1 Samuel 14:6 (NLT)

Nothing can hinder the Lord. How did Jonathan know this? You have to be confident in the Lord you serve. God can do anything. Look at what Jonathan says, "He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!"

How many of us really believe in God? To believe simply means to trust God. Yes, 2020, has been hard. It's been challenging. But look, nothing can hinder God. Yes, we have problems. We have difficulties. But nothing can hinder God. We have exams. We are believing in God for something big. And hey! Nothing can hinder God. Do you know that? Nothing can stop God from doing what He wants to do in your life. Nothing at all. 

Stand Still 

 "So stand still. Watch the great thing the Lord is about to do right here in front of you! - 1 Samuel 12:16 (NIRV)

I just recently discovered some amazing scriptures in the book of Samuel. Isn't this scripture so beautiful? Look at God! No matter what is going on in your life, just stand still and let God do what He needs to do. God can do great things even in a year that's been depressing. Is it about the changes in the year? No! God created everything! It's about God and who He is. Do you know your God? 

We can focus to look at the negative, if there is, Or, we can decide to look at the amazing things God is doing. This year has been awesome to me.  I have never felt more at peace in my with my walk the Lord. I have learned to trust to God. I have learned to be still in God. I have learned to obey God. And I have learned to receive instructions from God through His word. 

Strengthen yourself in the Lord

 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was []grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. - 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

You might be surrounded by so many issues. And it may look as though there's no way out. But keep on trusting in the Lord. David was in a very difficult state, but He found strength in the Lord. Everybody wanted to stone him as the bible says, but he found strength in the Lord. After David found strength in the Lord, everything changed. 

God will restore everything you lost 

So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all. - 1 Samuel 30:18-19 (NKJV)

What was the difference between a David that was distressed and a David that found strength in the Lord? The difference was in David's ability to seek the Lord in the midst of his troubles. David found strength and in finding this strength, he helped his people recover all they lost. 

Friends, we should always trust God. He is all we have. As 2020, comes to a close, let's remember God for all He has done. He has been kind. He has been merciful and He has been our God. 

Father, we thank you. You have been everything a son and a daughter needs in a Dad. May you help us to find strength in you only. Thank you for this year. Thank you for all we have been privileged to see. As we prepare for a new year, direct our path. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen