Dr. Johnson's Devotionals 2011

[jeremiah7]

When in a whirlpool of disasters...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)

"Rehearse" death with a mock funeral, is being practiced in a Thai temple to end a run of bad luck and bring good luck. There are many who go to this temple to start life afresh. The Pram Manee temple, 107 km northeast of Bangkok, holds two rituals every day: at 9:09 a.m. and 1:09 p.m.; the number nine is believed by Thais to bring good luck. Those who take part, stand in front of their designated coffins, holding flowers and praying for bad luck to go away, then they pray to receive good luck. While the participants lie in their coffins, monks chant prayers. After this, they get up from their coffins to be blessed with holy water by a monk. $6 is paid for the flowers, a white sheet and a "merit set" (contains food, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other necessities) which is to be offered to monks for prayers and the promise of a better life.

The ritual that we read of above is just one of the innumerable ways that people try to get a better life. When in a whirlpool of disasters, people try frantically to solve their problems by turning to every other method available. The question is, "As a Christian, what would your plan of action be if in a whirlpool of disastrous situations?". Anxieties run rampant in such circumstances, but the Bible advices....Do not be anxious about anything......Then what??? In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
But will it work? Could it be so simple? is a question that many believer's ask themselves. The answer is....Yes, a miracle can happen immediately or sometimes the deliverance may take some time, but it will work. But one wonderful result of presenting our requests to God with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, is that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

Instead of panicking and resorting to unbiblical means to get deliverance, it is best for believer's to wait upon the Lord, with prayer, petition and thanksgiving and he will work wonders at the right time.

 

[jeremiah7]

Let it all be done in love!

No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. (1 Corinthians 11:19)

Wintertime mood disorder or Seasonal Affective Disorder as it is called, affects people in some countries. Those affected sleep more, gain weight and crave high carbohydrate foods, and tend to slow down and socially hibernate from late fall to early spring. But some get Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in the summer. As hot weather approaches, those with summer SAD sleep less, eat less, and lose weight. They're extremely irritable and get angry.

People differ so much and in so many ways. Even believers in Jesus Christ are so different in their outlook towards life in general and even in their spiritual life. The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Corinth mentions this specifically as we read in the title verse.
Believers there, were in a contest as of who would have the approval of God. So eventually there were divisions. He adviced them to be of one mind. So also while writing to the church in Philippi, he says,
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:1-3)

We must remember as believers in Jesus Christ that there will be differences in the ways that we worship and serve him. But we should not look down on those who do not match up to our spiritual standards or are different in their approach towards their spiritual lives. Even if we think that anyone needs correction, let it all be done in love.

 

[jeremiah7]

Stuck?

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Getting stuck at the top of a rollercoaster is one of the worst nightmares that rollercoaster enthusiasts might have. It happened for nine people at a Strathclyde theme park in Scotland on July 3rd 2011. Their afternoon ride turned into a long evening with nowhere to go as the Tsunami ride in the park suffered a mechanical failure. Their car stopped 60ft or around 18 metres up. Atleast they were not upside down when it happened otherwise it would have been tragic instead of traumatic. A difficult rope rescue by police and rescue teams, which saw the riders aged from nine to 49 saved one by one, was eventually completed at 12.45am in the morning.

Some believers also get stuck regarding their spiritual lives. The reasons may be diverse but the outcome similar. A stagnation. The writer of Hebrews mentions this regarding believers who do not mature spiritually.
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Are you stuck in your spiritual life? Stagnating?

Here's a piece of advice from the writer of Hebrews,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1, 2)

 

[jeremiah7]

Training to be godly!

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7)

In 1955 in a small village in Morocco, 26 year old Zahra Aboutalib was looking forward to giving birth to her first child, but after 48 hours of painful labour, she was rushed to the local hospital where doctors informed her that she would need a caesarean section. She fled the hospital after she saw another woman die in labour. In the ensuing days Zahra continued to suffer severe labour pains but the baby remained in her womb. After a few more days the pains ceased and the baby stopped moving. In Moroccan culture, it is believed that a baby can sleep inside the mother to protect her honour. Zahra believed this myth and put the pregnancy out of her mind. She adopted three children. When Zahra was 75 years old, the pains suddenly returned. Her son took her to a specialist, Professor Taibi Ouazzani who suspected the distended belly was being caused by an ovarian tumour and did an ultra-sound scan which revealed a large mass that he could not identify. He referred Zahra to a specialist radiographer who took a detailed MRI scan to reveal that it was the baby Zahra had conceived 46 years earlier.

The woman in question believed in a myth and it came back to trouble her 46 years later. There are many myths propogated regarding the Christian faith too that people believe in and are led astray. Christians should check what the Word of God says regarding what they are taught and what they hear. The Apostle Paul adviced young Timothy to refrain from going after myths, as we read in the title verse.

Luke, the physician, writes about a good quality of the Bereans.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)

Christians should examine the things that they receive as teachings to see whether what they are being taught are true and according to the Word of God.
Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

 

[jeremiah7]

Do not neglect your gift!

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14)

Kann Trichan of Chiang Mai, Thailand, has the nickname "Superhands" for his amazing ability to scoop up pieces of chicken from burning-hot oil with his bare hands. He holds the Guinness Record for picking 20 pieces of chicken from oil heated to 480 degrees Celcius, in just one minute. He says he can feel the oil is hot when he dips his hands in it, but it simply leaves no damage. His amazing ability has won him international fame. People from all over the world come to his “Fried Chicken Iron Hands Man” food stall to see Kann use his hands to scoop out the chicken and he and his wife travel all around the world showing off his gift. "Superhands" has no idea why he can do what he does, but he’s just happy it brings a lot more customers for his business.

None of us, I guess can equal or even come anywhere near this man in his unique ability; but there's one thing noticable. He's putting his gift to good use even if it is for his own good.
Christian believers too have God given gifts, but many neglect these gifts. Gifts which can be vital in strengthening other believers spiritually. Paul, the Apostle, is advising Timothy (title verse) not to neglect the gift that was bestowed upon him. Infact, he advices him to fan into flame, the gift that he has been given by God.
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)

The Bible speaks in detail of the gifts given to New Testament believers in the 1st book of Corinthians, Chapter 12:4-11. We read of a few more gifts in Romans Chapter 12:6-8.
Using these God given gifts will definitely be a blessing to believers and unbelievers alike, so if you have been given any such gift, fan it into flame. If you feel that you have no such gift (which is unlikely), here is a piece of advice from the Apostle Paul:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)

 

[RJ]

Are you ashamed of the Gospel?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

Here you see Paul proclaiming his boldness about being a witness for Jesus Christ. He is saying that he is not ashamed of the gospel. There are many Christians who are ashamed to even say that Jesus is their Savior or they often find it difficult to witness for the Lord and bring other people to Christ. There are some who wouldn’t even carry their Bibles in public, thinking what others would think or talk about them. But Paul here is boldly proclaiming, that he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

The gospel is the power. The good news is the power of God for the salvation for everyone. We should be bold enough to witness for Christ and talk to others about the power that can be available in their lives too, if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ . We can witness about the healings that we have received from Lord, the deliverances that we have received from the Lord and the peace that we have received from the Lord. Our witness, our testimonies can bring about a great change in the lives of those who are listening to us.
Paul also says and we read in verse seventeen, “For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

So it is all a matter of faith, how much faith we exercise and utilize. Paul here is saying that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel and this righteousness is by faith, from the beginning to the end. Even if we see the beginning, we see that everything was brought about into being by faith and even in the end it will be so. Yes, it’s true that the righteous will live by faith. We do not have to be ashamed of the gospel because, it is, the power of God. Next time, if you feel timid and shy regarding telling others of Jesus, think about what Paul writes to the Romans. He says, "he is not ashamed of the gospel", neither should you be. Because the power of God for salvation can really be passed on to others and you can witness about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Surely, we may not bring every person to salvation by testifying, but we can plant a seed. Jesus will make it grow and finally he will achieve the purpose that He desires in the life of the person that we have spoken to. So, do not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Everyone, to whom we speak the Word of God, the power of God becomes available for the salvation of their souls. So be bold and be strong and witness for the Lord for he has given you the faith to do it.

There are many Christians who are ashamed to even say that Jesus is their Savior or they often find it difficult to witness for the Lord and bring other people to Christ. There are some who wouldn’t even carry their Bibles in public, thinking what others would think or talk about them.

It perplexes me how this could be for a true Christian that has the spirit of God living it them! These can't possibly be Christians!

 

[jeremiah7]

God is merciful!

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. (Acts 27:14)

'Dawazi' or high-wire walking is a traditional stunt with a long history in Xinjiang, China. A Chinese high-wire artist lost his footing as he attempted to walk across a tightrope 100m above the ground with no safety net in August 2011. Strong winds left him desperately clinging on to the 15m long steel wire in front of stunned onlookers in China's Hunan Province. The wire was attached to two hot air balloons which were affected by the winds. After successfully walking across the wire at 30m in just five minutes, he took on the 100m challenge. He failed.

The man failed in his attempt because of strong winds. He must have been disappointed but surely he would try again. Luke, the physician and Paul, the apostle were on a ship, travelling to Rome but as Luke writes in the book of Acts, the winds were against them and they landed in trouble. Deep trouble, in fact. The "northeaster" or "Euroclydon" hit them hard.

Luke writes,
We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:18-20)

They gave up all hope of being saved. They were at their wits end. But God was in their midst during the crisis and saved them in his mercy. None of the people on the ship lost their lives though the ship was destroyed. Paul and Luke were saved miraculously by God.

God is merciful. He saves us just in the nick of time from so many perils. We can sing along with the Psalmist regarding God's mercies in our lives too.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1)

 

[jeremiah7]

One wrong turn!

The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. (Galatians 2:13)

A learner driver took a wrong turn during her driving lesson in Austria and landed up in a fast flowing river. The 17 year old had just crossed a bridge over the River Enns with her dad in the passenger seat when she suddenly turned straight back to the river bank. Her father's friends rescued the pair after they realised they were trapped in the river and dialled 999.

Sometimes things happen when we least expect it. Often it may be due to some carelessness like it happened in the case of this new learner driver. There are many things that believer's tend to do carelessly and land up in trouble. The Apostle Paul writes about Peter the Apostle who was not careful regarding his being a right example to other believers at a timepoint in his ministry.

Paul writes,
"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:11-16)

If we are careful, we can avoid unwanted troubles that not only makes us miserable but also brings misery to others.

 

[jeremiah7]

Stunned!

They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:26)

The pistol shrimp is an amazing creature. It makes communication sounds by snapping it's claws. But it does something far more profitable using the same claws. It uses the claw as a weapon that can stun smaller shrimps by dealing a deadly blow. It ***** it's claw like a pistol and then fires at it's prey stunning it. As the claw snaps shut, it fires a burst of bubbles. As the bubbles collapse, they temporarily reach a very high temperature and the resultant shockwave stuns the prey and the pistol shrimp has a hearty meal.

Consider these two breaking news that Jacob heard from his sons:

They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe." He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." (Genesis 37:32,33)

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:25,26)

Jacob was stunned; first when his sons lied to him regarding Joseph's death and then when they told him the truth regarding Joseph being alive as ruler in Egypt. Imagine Jacob lamenting for 22 years even though his son Joseph was alive. Some people lie for their own profit or to hide their wrongdoings. We must be careful of them to avoid unwanted misery.

The Holy Spirit will guide us in all things..i.e. if we let him.

 

[jeremiah7]

Giving Thanks

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. (Mark 8:6, 7)

I had a question for Jesus sometime back when my salary was delayed. I had been praying regularly regarding my salary and tithing and giving to the poor and needy. I had not withheld what I was to give others lawfully. Then why was my salary being delayed? Not once but every month for several months. And he answered me through the verses given above.

Giving thanks for what little was available was what Jesus did when he had to provide for more than 4000 people. And he did the same when he had to feed more than 5000.
The latter miracle is mentioned by all 4 gospel writers. Mark writes,
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all." (Mark 6:41)

Of course, we may give thanks when we get what we ask for, but God expects a heart full of gratitude when we have little too. The little that Jesus was given in his hands (7 loaves and a few fish) (5 loaves and 2 fish) were multiplied when Jesus gave thanks to the father in heaven. And the best part of the miracles were that.......
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Mark 8:8)
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. (Mark 6:42, 43).......The people ate and were satisfied.

Satisfaction & some left overs......May God be glorified.

 

[jeremiah7]

Protected by His blood!

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalm 56:13)

Six of us doctors were travelling back to our homes after the evening shift at the clinic on September 19th 2011. It was around 9 pm and we were travelling at a casual speed. It was a clear night and I was sitting in the front with the driver looking at the scenes that passed by. Reaching a round-about, I could see that the road ahead was wet and as soon as the van went over that area, the vehicle started swerving to the left and right alternately like a drunk. It was then we realized that it was oil and not water that must have spilled from tanker or other vehicle. For a moment, we felt that we were all facing a major disaster or death itself, for the van would overturn or be hit by another vehicle. But after a while the vehicle steadied and we continued the rest of the journey without further problems.

I noted several things here. There were no vehicles ahead of us or to the left or right. There were a few vehicles behind us but not very close. In fact one of the drivers later came along at our right side and showed an action to our driver asking whether he was crazy. It was not the driver's fault though.

God ensured safety even though we had to go through a moment of uncertainity. I make it a point to regularly pray morning and evening and always before travelling for God to cover me and my family and whatever vehicle I am travelling in, by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus' blood is our protection. I praise God for that.
The Apostle Paul writes,
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (2 Corinthians 1:10)
Amen to that.

 

[jeremiah7]

Are we really grateful?

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (Psalm 105:1)

The Lord once spoke to me and said, "If you think if you are suffering, take a look at a few others."

My 2 year daughter was sick and he brought to me a mother with her child as a patient, who was far worse in bodily health than mine.
When I felt that my salary was inadequate, he pointed to me, a helper in the place that I worked, who had a very meagre earning and I realized I earned almost 22 times more than him.
I was not happy with my car breaking down now and then and he showed me people who walked to or travelled in packed buses to their workplace.

Sometimes we tend to consider trivial the blessings that the Lord gives us. The tendency is to look at what blessings we don't have rather than be grateful for how much more we have than many.

The Psalmist spoke to himself and said,
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1, 2)

One verse that the Lord has reminded me often in my troubles is from the book of Job. It says,
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. (Job 11:16)

We, as believers, must glorify and thank God for all his mercies, small and great. As the Psalmist says,
I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. (Psalm 52:9)

Being a faithful witness of his goodness in our lives is what God expects of us. We too must always say this one thing that the Psalmist said,
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. (Psalm 66:16)

 

[jeremiah7]

God's Favor

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)

Psalm 90 is titled as "A prayer of Moses the man of God."
In the verse given above, we see Moses praying to God for God's favor to rest upon him and the Israelites and that he may establish the work of their hands; a prayer that we all should pray regularly.

The Bible says,
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8)
God chose Noah in a depraved and wicked generation to fulfil his plans and purposes. Noah walked with God and did as God commanded him. The task was mighty, but because God's favor rested upon him, he could complete the mission God called him to.

We all need God's continued favor upon our lives as did Joseph, the son of Jacob. Though he passed through adverse circumstances, we see God being with him continually and delivering him and blessing him mightily. The following verses attest to that.
The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. (Genesis 39:2)
Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. (Genesis 39:20, 21)
The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. (Genesis 39:23)

The story of Joseph did not end with that. God fulfilled everything that he had spoken to him through dreams long ago.

A person on whom the Lord's favor rests is truly blessed. That doesn't mean that, that person will not have problems while living in this world, but it means God's continued presence and deliverance in his/her life. Let's make it a point to pray for God's favor to rest upon us continually. Praise the Lord.

 

[jeremiah7]

The Right Response

For twenty-three years - from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day - the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. (Jeremiah 25:3)

The people of Judah were stubborn and did not care for the godly counsel that Jeremiah gave them. They persecuted him and tried to kill him on several occasions, but God saved him time and again.

Over the past 17 years as a minister of the Gospel, there have been many who have approached me wanting me to pray for them and tell them what the Lord's counsel is regarding a certain situation they are facing in their lives. Perhaps it's a new job or a new location that they are planning to shift to or regarding buying a plot of land to build a house. The situations are diverse and the seekers are keen to know what the Lord's will is. Whether to----or not to-----. But many a times, I have noticed that the seekers have already made up their minds regarding their situation. And even if I tell them that it is not the Lord's will, they anyway go ahead and do as they like.

In the infancy of my work for the Lord, I used to get upset that the seekers were not obeying the Lord's counsel that I gave them. A few years back, once, when something like this had happened, I was upset because the seeker was a member of my Church and he directly did the opposite of what counsel I gave him. But as I spent time in prayer one of those nights and as I put the matter in the Lord's presence, he spoke to me quite clearly and said, "Let me handle it from here."
When I heard that, I was so relieved, that from then on, I was, and am now, never perturbed when seekers do not follow the counsel that I receive from the Lord and give them. May the Lord have mercy on them is what I pray.

We, as servants of the Most High must faithfully do what we are called to do. If our calling is to tell what the will of the Lord is in the lives of those who ask and seek counsel regarding their life matters, we must do it faithfully. What the seekers do with the counsel that we give should not disturb us unduly. Such matters will be handled by the Lord as per his infinite wisdom and impartial justice.

 

[jeremiah7]

A Barren Patch

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. (Isaiah 41:18)


Sometimes, we as believers can hit a barren patch in our lives. Gone is the excitement to worship, the zeal to pray and hunger for the Word seems to have died out. Perhaps it's some long sanding problem that has played on our minds and is the cause, but often it's difficult to figure out what the problem is.

After all the excitement in the first 40 years of his life living in the palace with the Egyptian ruler Pharaoh, Moses hit a barren patch for the next 40 years. Though he got married and had kids in Midian, Moses must have often remembered his days in Egypt. He must have wondered whether things could have been different if he had not taken matters into his own hands by killing an Egyptian. Like Moses, many questions may plague our minds when we go through a barren patch. Things don't seem to move swiftly, dreariness sets in, we go through the motions, but are left unsatisfied.

To preachers who have preached almost everyday and sometimes several times each day, not getting enough oppurtunities to preach or teach the Word can bring a sense of unwantedness. Is it a satanic attack or is God involved? The answers do not come easily.

Moses, finally seemed to have accepted the new life that he was living, taking care of his family and tending to Jethro's flock. The memories of Egypt were fading. "This is it", must be what he felt in his mind. And "this is it" must be what you are thinking in your mind. But wait! God had not finished with Moses and he's not finished with you. A sudden call came to Moses from God at a time when he least expected it and Moses thought he was unprepared for the job. He didn't want to accept it. But God wouldn't take "No" for an answer for he was preparing Moses for this work for 40 years.

If you are going through a barren patch in your spiritual life, God is preparing something new for you. Persist in prayer, worship and meditation of God's Word even if you don't feel excited about it. Things will change. God will do a miracle for you. He will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valley for you.

 

[jeremiah7]

You are important!

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. (1 Chronicles 16:4-6)

Sounding the cymbals may not seem to be an exciting job but that was what Asaph was appointed to do as part of the worship and he was supposed to do it faithfully. There are many unsung heroes in every church, every worship and even every forum. They do the work that they are called to do without much or any fanfare. Everyone is important, though many do not realize it. The success of a venture does not only depend on the person at the helm but also the unknown “behind the curtain man or woman”. But even though people may not appreciate or commend such people for their efforts, God rewards them in his infallible ways.

Asaph had a calling to be one of the chief musicians during the reign of King David and he fulfilled his role faithfully. He authored 12 beautiful psalms, namely psalm 50 and psalms 73-83. Later on, we read of his children playing important roles in leading the worship.
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. (Ezra 3:10)

Faithfulness is what God desires from each one of us and the rewards are sure, in God’s time and in God’s ways. Reawrds may not be monetary though, but what more blessing can believing parents receive from the Lord than seeing that their children follow in their ways of serving the Lord and being blessed by the Lord in every aspect of their lives.

So even if your role doesn’t seem important, hang in there, for God has a purpose and plan for you and he will bless you and your family for whatever you are doing for him and his kingdom these days.