Tag: christian

The Safety of Abiding in Christ—Angelic Protection

Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – February 11, 2024

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” —Psalm 91:1-2

Around noon, the Pastor made an urgent phone call to his elders, deacons, and prayer warriors. He gave a simple explanation, “Come to the church prepared to pray for Robert, our missionary working overseas, God says, he is in danger.” The men arrived and went into a season of prayer for Robert’s safety. Although the timeline is unknown for this story, due to the prevailing circumstances, communication was very limited between the two countries.

The first time Robert attended church after completing his mission trip, he noticed that a time for sharing testimonies was part of the service. The pastor asked for two people to give a testimony of God intervening in an impossible situation. Robert stood, but due to the two-year lapse, the pastor did not recognize him until he began speaking.

During my missionary assignment, I was responsible for disseminating the monthly supplies, we received from those who supported our goal to serve the community. I was traveling on a narrow road known for its danger from dusk until dawn. Anyone who mistakenly traveled during this time would be confronted by a group of indigenous men who formed a human roadblock to rob and often take the lives of those in the vehicle. Although, I allowed enough travel time to pass through the area while it was still light, the conditions of the road extended my travel time. As I entered the danger zone, I heard a sound indicating that one of my tires was flat. Alone and covered by the thick darkness, I knew that my circumstances were bleak, still, I prayed in faith for God to keep me safe. As I laid the flashlight on the ground, I could not see beyond its limited area of light. I realized that I was in harm’s way, but focused on quickly changing the tire and continued my journey. The next morning when I shared the story with my guide, translator, and fellow missionary, he expressed amazement that I was not attacked by the waiting men. Later that evening, during dinner, he shared the following story, Today, I went to visit the men [who attack others] and gave them some of the supplies that you brought. While we were talking, I asked if they saw you on the road changing your tire, to which they responded yes. I then asked, Why didn’t you attack him? They told me not only were they going to steal the supplies, but had also decided to kill this missionary man who taught of a strange God, but he had 26 large bodyguards with swords of light standing around him, they were afraid and ran away.

At this point, the Pastor asked the men who prayed for Robert to stand up and count off, there were exactly 26 men who prayed with the pastor on that day. Yet, there is one more powerful element to add to Christ’s Divine intervention of sending 26 warrior angels to protect Robert, although there was a great time difference between the two countries, the season of prayer occurred at the same time that Robert was changing the tire.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” —Psalm 91:14-16

All of heaven is actively involved in the believer’s life. Not only do we have angelic protection to save us from situations meant for death, but our guardian angels fight spiritual warfare, and are involved in our daily activities of life. God has given us precious promises that declare His love and dedication to humanity. In verses 14-16, from our love for God, we are promised deliverance, exaltation, answered prayers, protection from trouble, honor, long life, and the promise of salvation.

Christ, our Lord and Savior is the Commander of angel armies whose primary assignment is the protection of the righteous. Like the breath in our bodies, we rarely think of or thank God for the mercies of angelic protection we receive 24/7 against the unseen dangers of spiritual warfare and the physical calamities that could easily end our lives.

The warfare of distractions is a cunning strategy that steals our time and prevents us from praying, studying the Scriptures, and meditating on the goodness of God. Today, reflect on the busyness of your life and ask the Holy Spirit to identify the obstacles that prevent you from focusing on our Heavenly Father’s abundant love and never-ending mercies of protection.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” —Proverbs 18:10

Angelic protection is only one of the privileges we receive from abiding in Christ. When we are willing to dedicate our time to worship by giving praises of gratitude to God, we reveal our appreciation for receiving the mercies we do not deserve. The practice of worshiping God with a grateful heart in our earthly lives prepares us for heavenly worship where we will give reverence, honor, and glory to our Sovereign God throughout eternity. Yes, our lives are not only protected but we are blessed beyond measure.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” —Psalm 91:11

God, we thank You for Your love, grace, mercies, and Divine intervention. We thank You for the angelic armies who faithfully obey Your commands to keep us from harm’s way and strengthen us to fight against the schemes and temptations developed to separate us from You. We pray for the wisdom to identify and remove all obstacles that prevent us from loving You with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. We ask this prayer in the Matchless Name of Jesus, Amen.

© 2024 Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries

God Reveals His Omnipotence to Job

God Reveals His Omnipotence to Job – Today’s Devotional – December 5, 2023

Most companies receive hundreds of CVs and resumes for a given position, but the use of software based on keywords eliminates the unqualified applicants. Still, human eyes must read the remaining submissions to determine the applicant’s competency, stability, and potential to develop or embrace the innovative strategies required to propel the company forward into a highly competitive business arena.

Imagine being asked to provide three character references and responding with “I can validate my own character.” What would the hiring manager think?

Job Defends His Integrity

Most are familiar with Job’s story—the profound loss of his wealth, and children, and the awful condition of painful boils. As if that was not enough to contend with, “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die?’ ” (Job 2:9).

Although many believers have experienced suffering none usually compares to the profound loss and suffering of Job. Yes, Job lived a sinless life, even God considered him to be upright. Yet Job needed to learn a couple of lessons—God’s Omniscience [knowledge] and Omnipotence [power] are perfect and one’s integrity and righteousness do not prevent extreme suffering.

The misconception that suffering only results from a person’s disobedience to God or from hidden wicked behaviors was a prevailing thought in biblical times which explains why his friends blamed Job for his adversity.

Adversity presents itself in two time periods, short-term and long-term. We usually have enough faith in God to endure trials and tribulations that God quickly resolves, but the challenges that seem to last forever reveal whether or not our faith will fail or flourish.

In chapter two, Job rebukes his wife for telling him to curse God and die, “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). Job’s three friends came to mourn and comfort him for seven days and nights, yet “…no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2:13).

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth” (Job 3:1). At this point, Job’s friend Eliphaz tells him that he is being chastened [disciplined, punished] by God. “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

In chapter six, Job’s human weakness is exposed as his attention turns from God to himself. Job’s response, “What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?” (Job 6:11). Job represents you and me and the weakness of the human heart when our emotions override God’s love. When our hardships continue, we feel that God has abandoned us in our greatest crucibles of suffering.

“My friends scorn me; My eyes pour our tears to God” (Job 16:20). “My spirit is broken, My days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me.” (Job 17:1)

As time progresses, and Job is still suffering, his three friends accuse him of hidden sins, folly, and wickedness. They urge him to repent so God will redeem and rescue him from a well-deserved punishment. “Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me! Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisfied with my flesh?” (Job 19:21-22).

Despite the misjudgment from his friends, Job proclaims hope in God, ” For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).

As we forward to the 23rd chapter, the passing of time reveals that Job is experiencing the full run of human emotions. Now he desires to contend or assert his position in a discussion with God.

“Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me.” —Job 23:2-5

Normal human behavior is predictable! When our intense sufferings do not cease according to our expectations or the death of a family member occurs, not only do we begin to doubt God’s love but we also desire to contend with God through negotiation to end the suffering.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10

Although God reveals His love by continually sustaining our lives through suffering, our focus remains on ourselves. We begin to lose hope, boldly questioning God, How long? Why did God allow this to happen? or, God, tell me what I need to do?

“Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book!” —Job 31:35

Jobs suffering continues and in chapter 31, he becomes impatient and is ready for God to answer his prayers for relief. Still, we cannot rush God! Will we become angry with God or despondent because He is silent? Only the steadfast who hold onto their faith by relying on the power of God and trusting His perfect will and plans never lose hope.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…’ ” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Through continuous prayers, we receive strength and the ability to go forward from the Holy Spirit who reminds us of God’s faithfulness. In our personal times of tears and worship, God reveals His love by giving us spiritual comfort. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” We must remain faithful to God.

Although we do not have an exact timeframe for Job’s suffering, we can safely conclude that from Chapter 1 to Chapter 38 when God answered Job that he suffered for a long time. Yet nowhere do we read that Job and his wife were destitute, hungry, or homeless.

In chapters 38-41, the Lord God reveals His Omnipotence and begins questioning Job like the Prosecutor he addressed God to be in chapter 31.

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” —Joshua 38:1-3

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know!” —Joshua 38:4-5

“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’ My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes…” —Job 42:4-6

Reflection: Believers, who do we think we are? Many of us have a sense of entitlement leading us to believe that we deserve God’s blessings just because we say, Lord, Lord. Angels bow and cover their faces with their wings when worshiping our Heavenly Father. We must learn to serve God in humility, surrender, and reverence.

God deserves first place in our lives. He deserves our full attention, love, faith, obedience, and loyalty. The book of Job is an invitation to surrender and come to Jesus by recognizing that He is Omnipotent, He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Like Job, our faith will be severely tested! The time will arise in every believer’s life as if we feel that God is crushing us. We will feel as if we cannot endure another day of suffering. Yet God is always faithful! Through our suffering, God is drawing us nearer to Him. We must come to understand the magnitude of His Righteousness and Holiness.

“…Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” —Job 41:10-11

Prayer: God, we repent for the sins of presumption and irreverence. We ask You to give us the spiritual insight to understand Your love and Righteousness. Teach us to be holy. We thank You for hearing and answering this prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.

© 2023 Steps 2 Success with Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God