Saturday December 31, 2016
Looking Back and Looking Forward
-1 SAMUEL 7:1-12
Key Verse:
"Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12).
Life is short. However long a journey is, it must surely come to an end. Most men wrongly hold the belief that life will last forever, only to discover that it is like a vapour, seen one moment, yet evaporates the next minute. The children of Israel had suffered much from the hands of the Philistines because of their sins. They were in bondage of fear. The ark of God captured by the Philistines had been released because the Lord poured His wrath upon them. At Bethlehemesh, the Lord had smitten fifty-seven thousand for looking into the ark. The men of Kirjath-jearim came and fetched the ark and brought it into the house of Abinadab, consecrating Eleazer, his son to keep it. Looking back, the children of Israel were compassed about with so many occurrences of disaster, destruction and death. It was as if their future was bleak and hopeless. Then Samuel came and preached repentance to them. They hearkened unto him and returned unto the Lord with penitent hearts. Although the Philistines, an enemy that defeated them over the years came again, yet God gave them a resounding victory. Looking at your own life too, you might have passed through the valley of the shadow of death this passing year. It may be that the devil and his agents have been making life difficult for you in your family, academics or business this year, don't give up. "Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only and he will deliver you." God loves you. Jesus cares for you. Think of what the Lord has done for you hitherto. He will surely perfect everything pertaining to your life as you cross over to the New Year. If the Lord has not abandoned you thus far despite your many failings, indications are that He will perfect what He has started in you, once you make your calling an election sure.
Thought for the day: Trials provoke triumphs which in turn mid-wife testimonies.
Bible Reading in one Year: REVELATION 21 - 22
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