Lamentations 3:22-23 – ‘It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’
DAILY READING • Acts 5:17-42; Deuteronomy 25-27; Job 16
Exactly fifteen years ago on December 26th, 2004, a tsunami hit the coasts of several countries of South and Southeast Asia. The tsunami and its aftermath were responsible for immense destruction and loss of lives. The town of Meulaboh in Aceh in Indonesia, was one of the towns that were hit the hardest. However there is a fantastic testimony of God’s divine deliverance from Pastor Bill Hekman of Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia. According to the story, in the town of Meulaboh there were about 400 Christians who had wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but were not allowed to do so by the Muslims of Meulaboh, who were in the majority. They were told if they wanted to celebrate Christmas, they needed to go up on a high hill outside the city to celebrate. Thus these 400 believers left the city on December 25th, and after they celebrated Christmas, they stayed overnight on the hill. In the morning of Sunday, December 26, 2004, there was the earthquake followed by the tsunami waves that destroyed most of the city of Meulaboh, killing thousands. The 400 believers who were high on the mountain were all saved from the raging flood of the tsunami. Somehow by divine exemption, they were all spared from destruction to testify to God’s marvelous goodness.
Lamentations 3:22 says – ‘It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.’
Indeed through the Lord’s mercy we have been saved from so many ‘tsunamis’ this year, some of which we were not even aware. Each time the enemy has come in like a flood, the Spirit of God has raised a standard against him. There are many times we have been at the verge of destruction, yet God’s grace prevailed.
There were things the enemy meant for us as disappointments but God turned them around for our deliverance. God is always watching over us.
Psalm 124:2-3 says, ‘If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us.’
As the year rounds off, there are so many things to thank God for. And as we look back, it is a good time to stop and count our blessings, and deliberately thank God for each of them. Indeed God is the reason we are still here today.
Looking back over the year, it is obvious God’s covenant has been preserving us. Despite all the spiritual missiles sent our way, none has found its mark. God has indeed been faithful. His blessings have prevailed above the attacks of the enemy. Despite all the plans of the wicked to eliminate us, God’s hand of divine protection has kept us. Left to the enemy, this year would have seen the end of us, but God rather allowed us to see the end of this year.
Despite all that we have been through this year, we are still here. And it has only been by the grace and mercy of God. You know that there were times that you could have easily given up, yet you survived all that came against you. Not because you were lucky, but only because of God’s mercy. Throughout every challenge, God has been our ever-present help in time of need.
Indeed God is good and very faithful. And no matter what things may look like right now, be assured that He is working it all out for your good. Truly God has done us well. And in these last days of the year, we have every cause to be continually thankful for indeed great has been His faithfulness.
PRAYER: Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your faithfulness to me and my family throughout this year. I praise You for all Your goodness in my life. I know that even right now, You are working it all out for my good in Jesus’ Name.
QUOTE
Praise is proof that you believe God to do what He said He would do in your life. – WORDBITE 201.