“Trust in the Lord, and do good…Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…In just a little while, the wicked will be no more…But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace”.
These few verses summarise our whole existence, our life now and our hope of the future. Simple concepts, and with God in our life we can be found faithful when Christ returns. It’s only a little longer that we need to hold on. Be strong, and of good courage.
Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of serving others. Jesus came “not to be served but to serve”. Difficult and unnatural concept, that service of others demonstrates greatness. Indicates a selfless attitude, one that Jesus demonstrated perfectly.
We see the result of serving only self in Gen 31, story of Jacob and Laban. Laban cheats and tricks Jacob for his own profit, yet by this point, Laban’s sons say “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all the wealth”.
So let’s follow Jesus’ example, looking for chances to serve others and so demonstrate Godly love.
These chapters share a common theme about God answering prayer. God heard Rachel’s prayer, and eventually Joseph was born. God heard David’s prayer “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears…The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”
I find that to be a greatly encouraging thought. “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles”
We need to rely on God to help us through life, we’re not saved by our own strength, but by our ability to trust in God and serve Him. It may take years, like Rachel’s prayer, or it may happen instantly, like David’s prayer in Psa 34. But we can be assured that God hears our prayer and will do what is best for us.
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be”.
God’s word is so powerful, by it the world was created. That same word has also given us a hope that is as real as the existence of the world. God’s “divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises” (2Pet1:3-4).
God has given us so much that we can’t really comprehend it, and asks for so little in return. I find that to be a very comforting idea. “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name”