Page 29 - Living Light Autumn 23

Monday October 2 - Little faith
“It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the
desert!” Exodus 14:12
“It would have been better...” are words of regret that I’m sure we’ve all uttered from time to time. Maybe you are feeling that way right now? If only’s can leave a blight on your life, causing you to feel trapped, unable to turn the clock back to put things right.
The Israelites could not see beyond their immediate crisis, so much so that it led them to see their recent slavery through rose-tinted glasses! Life is a journey, one in which we will invariably face times of great challenge – losses, failures, disappointments, sicknesses... Job struggled in that way; likewise Jacob, Joseph, David, Elijah, Jonah... In the days immediately following Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter was tormented by the memory of his failure in denying his Lord – not once but three times! He must have felt that it was too late, that he had to live the rest of his life knowing that he had failed. Praise God! The angel’s words to Mary said otherwise: “Go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him...’” (Mark 16:7). The words, ‘and Peter’ were so precious. For Peter, there was now hope and a future!
Be encouraged – God is at work in your life, knowing that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28).
Almighty God, despite the challenges I face, may I know that I am not deserted, as I take hold of your promise to be with me always. Amen.
Tuesday October 3 - Stand and see
“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring... the Lord
will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14
The last thing anyone wants to do when fearful is to ‘stand and see’. Every emotion is telling them to run as fast as they can. One of the recurring directives in the Bible is to ‘fear not’. For that to happen something must take the place of fear, casting anxiety from our hearts and minds. We need help to face our fears!
Moses had the answer; he knew that victory was found in renewed faith! The people needed to re-establish confidence in God. They needed a leader who would declare his personal trust in the promises of God. Today, we need leaders to take a page out of Jesus’ book, declaring once again, “It is written...” (Matthew 4:4). We must appropriate the word of God, for all else is shaky ground. The wise builder in Jesus’ parable built his house on the rock (i.e. the word of God) and then put it into practice (Matthew 7:24).
Today, dear friend, stand and be still – it is not easy to hear God in the humdrum of life, and take to heart Paul’s instruction: ‘...so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand’ (Ephesians 6:13).
Dear Father, I no longer want fear of man nor fear of situations to cripple my life. Please increase my faith, so that in the day of trial I will be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY