HE CARES FOR THE AFFLICTEDSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: God will be your righteous judge and will exalt you to greater heights. Often the poor and the helpless are judged unjustly. They fail to receive justice for their cause. Looking at such poor and needy, the Lord God, who is the judge above all judges says, “I will maintain your cause of your affliction and justice”.
We read in the Bible about Samson, who was chosen by God. He did not realize the greatness of the divine power that was given to him. He lead a life that was not pleasing to God. His sins caused his downfall. He was forsaken and was afflicted by his enemies. He was blinded and was thrown into a hopeless and pathetic state. At that critical situation, he cried out with tears, “Lord! In this juncture, you alone are my hope. No man can help me. Remember me once, O Lord” (Judges 16:18-28). The Lord who maintains the cause of the afflicted, answered his prayer when he sincerely repented for his sin.
Another servant of God, Jonah, received a command from God to go to Nineveh and to preach against that city. But he went against the word of God and ran away from His presence and boarded a ship to go to Tarshish. God sent out a great wind on the sea. And the passengers who were in the ship were startled by the sudden calamity. Lot was cast and Jonah was found to be the cause for the storm. As suggested by Jonah, they threw him into the sea.
God had commanded a fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was humbled being in the stomach of the fish for three days and nights. And at that time he cried unto God from the belly of the fish, “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to you, into your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). Though Jonah disobeyed the word of God, yet when he repented for his folly, God delivered him from that critical situation.
There was a clerk who was a very devout person. He would do his work perfectly in the working hours. After returning home, he used to be faithful in seeking God, praying and reading the Bible. It so happened that a higher official came to his office on transfer. He was irritated to see the clerk attending church on Sundays and involving himself in the religious activities. So, he insisted that he should come to the office on Sundays. The clerk obeyed his words and attended office even during sundays. He seeked God in prayers to strengthen him to overcome all the problems.
Days rolled by and God opened the eyes of the Officer. He realized his mistake and seeked the forgiveness from the clerk. The same Officer who used to trouble him, later became a good friend of this clerk.
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 1:26)
Dear friend, do not be disheartened by the afflictions that you undergo in your workspot or in your family or in the society. Be firm in your faith and trust him at all times. Surely, He will do justice. He will be your righteous judge and will exalt you to greater heights.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your great concern for me Lord. Fill me with Your sweet Spirit all the time, and help me overcome every hard situation, with Your power. Father, I adore You for being so concerned about me for which I am unworthy. Protect me and be with me till I reach Heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen. |