Monday, March 2

Monday Morning Manna

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Genesis 41:10

Yesterday we heard from the Rev. Dr. Orville Harris, speaking from Psalm 37:25, Genesis 28:15, and Isaiah 41:8-10 (focus passage), his sermon titled Be Patient God Keeps His Promise. His sermon aimed to encourage us with an assurance from God that He is turning things around.

Looking close at the life of David we know he had many enemies and he faced many battles. At times he was on the run and situations seemed hopeless. But throughout all his trials and difficulties he never forgot the lessons of his early years. Lessons he had learnt while looking after the sheep. Lessons he learned while fighting the giant Goliath. And lessons he learned while he was on the run, protecting his life. Dr. Harris reminded us that David knew the Lord was close to him and he learned to be able to trust that inner voice of God which had been his steadfast defense on so many occasions. He says during his lifetime, he has experienced and observed God’s track record of faithfulness to the righteous. Out of all of David’s experience he could say with certainty and confidence God remains faithful. This confidence then allowed David to look back on his life and pen these words “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.” God has never forsaken the righteous.

For us this is comforting because through every trial, struggle, battle, and problem the righteous have the promise of God being with us. Dr. Harris reminds us that God never forsakes His people. God never leaves us to fight alone and He never abandons us. Whenever we are dealing with adversity we should be still and know that God is with us. If God is with us, we can make it. Paul said, “If God be for us, who can be against us.” The answer is no one can defeat us, and no enemy formed against us shall prevail. God will never leave us nor forsake you, but He is with you now, always and we can count on Him forever more.

Isn’t it comforting to know in both life and death the Lord will never forsake us? Even though

…we may be oppressed, we are never forsaken

…we may be hungry, we are never forsaken

…we may be poor, we are never forsaken

…we may be single, we are never forsaken

…we may be sick, we are never forsaken

…we may be imperfect, we are never forsaken

…turned down for a promotion, we are never forsaken

Today even though you may feel oppressed, one day you will overcome the oppressor. May I encourage you to put your trust in the Lord, who kept His promise to Abraham, protected the Children of Israel, delivered David on so many occasions out of the hand of his enemies, and wait patiently for Him to act.