Bible reading: Genesis 33-35; Matthew 11
Memory verse: “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, [3] And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3 (KJV)
Have you ever been in a situation where you suddenly start doubting the existence of God? Where things around you all of a sudden moved from bad to worse in the course of your service to God? So many Christians have been in such situations and have shared their experiences. There’s a bishop who in the midst of revival the devil almost took his wife. In the midst of this trial he spoke openly from the altar that whether his wife goes or remains God is still God and will continue sharing the gospel with same intensity. The wife survived those periods and is still alive and well. Sadly, some christians dont make it back as they leave the faith because of the circumstances of that period.
Circumstance will always come to test how strong our values and beliefs are. It does not matter who you are, trials and situations will come to either shake your faith or make you stronger. In today’s memory verse, John the Baptist, who introduced Jesus to the world was the one who sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “…Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:3 (KJV). This was in a period when John was locked up in prison for calling out Herod for taking his brother’s wife, Herodias. It was the same period Jesus was healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching to the poor, yet he, John was locked up in prison with no hope of coming out!
There is no doubt that John trust Jesus, but he needed to confirm the words he had told the whole world about Jesus from the Messiah Himself. The thought of getting it wrong might have crossed John’s mind in those darkest hours in prison coupled with the thought of being executed for the sake of righteousness and justice, hence the message. But Jesus understood all this and lovingly sent John’s men back with a message of hope.
Let God remain God in your life no matter the situation around you. Situations arise to test our faith in God to separate us from Him but those who have made a covenant with God in their hearts are the ones who overcome these trying periods. King David and his men got back to camp one day and found out their wives, children and belongings have been taken away by enemies. The men almost stoned David because their soul was grieved. The bible said, “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV).
Do not let any situation separate you from the love of God. Make up your mind ahead like Paul who said, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, help me to remain steadfast in my trust and walk with You no matter the circumstances that arise in Jesus name.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu