Devotion – Friday, 5 March
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 18 verse 10, “The name of our Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe,” (NRSVB). The name of God encompasses all that he is. When we cry to him and call on his name we are enveloped by his protection and power, for he hears our calls and answers our prayers. When God revealed himself to Moses through the burning bush, he told Moses that he has to go to the Pharaoh and tell him to release the Israelites. Moses asked God what must he answer the Israelites if they asked him what is the name of this God? “And God said to Moses, I am who I am, and what I am, and I will be what I will be. Tell the Israelites, I Am has sent me to you. This is My name forever and ever, and by this name I am to be remembered to all generations,” Exodus 3 verses 4 to 5, (Amplified Bible). God reveals himself to us there, where he meets us in our needs. He became manna for the Israelites in the desert, their water from the rock, their shelter and their shadow, their light and fire by night, and their staff and rod. God supplied miraculously out of his power and loving-kindness and met every need of the travelling people in their journey to the Promised Land. Different days, times, seasons and situations call for different help, and God supplied from his ever overflowing store-house of loving-kindness and mercy. Israel was given strength and military success in times of wars, food and water in times of droughts, courage in times of despair. God’s name is holy, and we honour his name when we call on his name in prayer and supplication. God revealed his name to Moses, I Am, and he continues to reveal all that he was, is and shall be to those who call on him.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, in Chapter 4 verse 6, writes, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” (NRSVB). This verse is preceded by the call to rejoice in everything, for the Lord will give us the peace that transcends our understanding. God’s peace is the peace that brings us to the place where we can look past the physical circumstances and focus on the Cross of Christ. Christ’s work on the Cross for us gives us the assurance and promise of life ever-lasing; whatever befalls us on earth, we have his peace. God supplies liberally, he scatters flowers and snowflakes, stars and pebbles, shall he not care for us, we of little faith? He promises us that he will supply our spiritual, emotional and physical needs so that we will continue to call on his name, and receive his blessings. God blessings are not as the world gives; it is the blessing of being unshaken whatever befalls; taking what he gives us from his loving hand. Jesus told his disciples as he was preparing them for his crucifixion, “So for the present you are also in sorrow, but I will see you again, and when that time comes, you will not ask me any questions. Up to this time you have not asked a single thing in My Name, My name represents all that I Am; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive so that your joy may be full and complete,” John 16 verses 23 to 24, (Amplified Bible). Jesus Christ has been given the power and glory of his Father and tells us that “I am the Good Shepherd!” We can pray to the Father in the Name of the Son, and the Spirit of Truth prays with us, and gives us the peace and joy of our Lord. This peace allows us to rest in the knowledge that God will supply all our needs for he cares for us and has his ear inclined to us. We rejoice because he answers us before we even call.
Father, your name is holy! We ask that your will be done on this earth, that your Name shall be praised, that each knee shall bow and tongue confess that your Son, Jesus our Lord, is the Son of God. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Amen.
