Divine StrengthSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: No matter how busy you are with your work or with your studies or with your family, do not stop seeking the Lord with all your heart and mind. Allow God to shower His divine strength in your mind and body and live your life joyfully. Today you may be downcast with so many fears and problems. You may be wearied by anxious thoughts if you will get a promotion due to you; whether you will bear a child; if you will be cured of your deadly disease. The Lord assures you a new life. Sometimes you may pray for months together and your prayers may go unheard. The life of Jesus Christ is a model for us. It is for that reason that He was born as a man, submitted to death on the cross, died and rose again from death. "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus took His disciples with Him for the last time for a session of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed in great agony and in tears, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42). "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44)
"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:29-31). Friend, when Christ the Son of God Himself had to pray so much, how indispensable it is for you and me to cling fast to our Lord in prayer!
A certain brother loved God very much and used to pray every day at a fixed time early morning as soon as he woke up, as he was jobless. In His mercy the Lord gave him a good job. With great joy he praised the Lord. In course of time he gave great importance to his job. In order to earn the appreciation of his superiors, he devoted more and more time to his office at the expense of the time he spent in prayer. He soon rose very high in his office. But his prayer life came to naught!
In the same way, my dear friend, we cheat ourselves very often by boasting how devout we were once. As we draw nearer to God, our prayer life, our study of the Bible should ever increase. That is the experience, everyone of us should have. But so many of us give up Bible reading and prayer and deceive ourselves as having matured in piety. So also this brother lived content with the secular happiness he found in his office. The devil so aptly tempted and then deceived him. One day, for no valid reason, he was dismissed from the job to which he had given top priority in life. It was only then his eyes turned again to Jesus. Where else could he go except to Him who said: "I am the Way!" He sought again the feet of the Lord Jesus, who spoke to him, "Dear son! Every morning you used to come and talk to me. I was waiting every day for you to come." Our Lord is the merciful Lord, slow to chide and quick to forgive. He is liberal with His pardon for sinners. If there has been such backsliding in your life ask Him to forgive you. You will acquire a new strength! For it is the Lord who generates good works in your hearts! He is so close to us whenever we worship Him. He comes and dwells with you whenever you seek Him in prayer.
"For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" (Deuteronomy 4:7)
Follow the practice of seeking the Lord always, no matter how busy you are with your work or with your studies or with your family, do not stop seeking the Lord with all your mind and heart. He will fill you with His divine strength. Live your life to the fullest with the divine strength. Do you have that divine strength in your personal life? If no then start seeking Him with all your heart from today and be filled with divine strength and face the world with courage. He will give heed to you even if you seek Him for a short while in genuine earnestness. He will take the responsibility of your family. There won't be any more discords and disputes. When dissensions arise in the family, the Prince of Peace will arise and order peace and harmony. This is the secret!
Many years ago a sister came to our house. She had a great longing for the Holy Spirit. I was telling her repeatedly of the joy and strength we would have on receiving the Holy Spirit and how He will revive us in our dejection and weariness. She regretted that she was not likely to receive the anointment of the Holy Spirit so soon. I told her that they should not be ashamed who wait for the Lord. It won't be a surprise if He anointed her with the Holy Spirit that day itself. She had brought with her a daughter who had fever. We both prayed for her healing. Just then Bro. Dhinakaran came home. He also prayed for the daughter and then, without her asking him, he set his hands on the forehead of that sister and prayed for her. At that very moment the Lord anointed her with His Holy Spirit. Just see how near our God is! Your prayer will be heard at the appropriate time and His help will soon follow.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
God alone can do everything in your life. Do not attempt doing everything with your own strength. Remember God has neatly done everything for you. But you should wait patiently to receive it at the appropriate time. Do not become wearied! He will uphold you in your weariness, infuse new strength in you and make you soar high. He will bless your life abundantly!
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I praise Your for doing everything so beautifully in my life at the appointed time. Forgive me dear Lord, all these days I failed to give you the precedence and withdrew from your presence. Accept me once again and fill my life with both spiritual and worldly blessings. I ask all this in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen. |