FOSTERING FATHERSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: The moment you submit your life to God, You have a Father who follows you all the time and makes sure that you reach your goal safely. This is a command coupled with words of encouragement from the Lord to the commander-in-chief Joshua (Joshua 1:9). Moses received a command from God to strengthen and instruct Joshua, as his successor. Today, God gives you the same promise and desires that you claim it for this day.
Many years ago, during the Second World War, a man named George was talked of at great length in the town. When the reporters asked him, “How are you able to courageously walk through the area of the enemy with just a helmet on your head and lead the tanks? You seem dauntless aren’t you afraid of being struck down? How is that you are unhurt and get all the victories that you desire without having lost in any battle?”
He took them to his bedside and showed a book under his pillow and read the verses as found in Joshua 1:5, 9. He told them, “The Lord had commanded a commander-in-chief long time ago with these words and also spoke to me that I would walk through and possess the land. He is always with me and therefore I would not be finished until I take possession of the land. It is this promise that makes me go forward. God is with me and I shall not fear.”
The unchanging God is with you. He says, “You have lived a righteous life even amidst sorrow, struggle, pain, agony and so on in this wicked and treacherous world. How will I ever forsake or forget you?”
Let not your heart be troubled for the same promise of the Lord is yours. From this day onward, you will feel the mighty presence of God as this becomes a reality in your life as never before. How are you going to trust Him? What sort of a person is He that you should trust Him and His promise?
“…..I will be their God, And they shall be My people…………..I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:16,18) What does a Father do?
“The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place' (Deuteronomy 1:31).
“He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes” (Psalms 105:37).
God carried the Israelites for forty years through the wilderness and there was no one feeble among them. Their legs were not swollen. Such is the heart of a Father who is our Lord.
One day, a little boy jumped with joy even as he got ready to attend his friend’s birthday party. Suddenly the climatic conditions worsened. Clouds occupied the sky and there were signs of a terrible blizzard. The father asked, “Son! How would you go out in such darkness?” However the boy shot back, “But Papa, you promised to let me go there!” Finally his father allowed the son to go. After much struggle that boy entered his friend’s home. Suddenly he turned back and saw a dark figure retreating. It was his father who had followed him and had seen to it that he was safe. Though he had granted him the permission to go out in the darkness yet he did not allow him to go out of his sight.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19).
"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30).
The moment you submit your life to God, You have a Father who follows you all the time and makes sure that you reach your goal safely.
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men ( 1 Corinthians 7:23). Your Father has purchased you with His blameless blood shed on the cross of Calvary would He ever let down, forsake or leave you in darkness? His answer is always, “No! My dear child because I am your Father. I will carry you through. Let not your heart be troubled.”
Prayer
Loving Lord,
I praise and thank You because You are always with me following me wherever I go. I claim the promise given to Joshua this day. May I fear no man but believe that I am purchased with Your precious blood. Bless me with Your abundant mercies for this day. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen |