Isaiah 45:2 ‘ I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:’
DAILY READING Hebrews 11:23-40; Exodus 15; Proverbs 6:1-7:5
Perhaps the best biography on Dr. David Livingstone is that written by Henry M. Stanley titled “Livingstone of Africa”. Stanley was the last white man to have seen Dr. Livingstone alive. He was sent on an expedition to find Dr. Livingstone at a time when no news of him had been heard in a longtime. As a medical missionary and an explorer in Africa, Livingstone had kept in touch with the Western world, through letters that related his amazing discoveries and experiences in the African continent. However, when no news was heard from him after about four years, speculations became rife that he was dead. Thus Henry Stanley was sent on a mission to Africa to find him.
Dr. Livingstone who was alive at the time, was however battling with ill health, as he sought to bring the Gospel to as much African tribes as he could. On one of those days after his outreaches to the people, he walked back to his little home in the village of Ujiji, only to find that someone had stolen the medication that he so needed. And on that day, he got on his knees and called on God. One of the pivotal scriptures that had always given him great assurance was Jesus’ strong promise in Mathew 28 ‘Lo I am with you until he end of time.’ And so now, he prayed “God, you promised you would always be with me! I need that medication!”
As he prayed, he heard steps outside, and as the story goes, he saw a pair of feet planted in front of him. As he looked up, for the first time in many years, he found himself looking into the face of a white man who didn’t live in Africa. The man introduced himself as a press reporter, who had been assigned to find him and more importantly to give him some medications. This was an answer to prayer for Dr. Livingstone and an assurance that God was indeed with him. Mr. Henry M. Stanley started to travel with David Livingstone. And though he came to Africa as a swaggering atheist who boasted he could never be converted, four months later, this atheist knelt down on the African soil and gave his life to Jesus Christ.
While the adventurous life of Dr. Livingstone remains a wonder even to the present generation, his success was because he had learned the secret of God’s Presence. The promise of God to be with him, was the secret of his exploits.
Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. His presence always inhabits our praises. It doesn’t matter where you may be physically or what’s going on around you, you can alwayss access God’s Presence through a switch to praise. Like Dr. Livingstone, we can sometimes face situations where we may not see a way out, because the obstacles seem too big. This is also the way the Israelites must have felt on their way to the promised land. It looked like a mission impossible. But Moses understood the secret of carrying God’s Presence. In Exodus 33, he prayed God to go with them. And in Exodus 33:14, God said to him ‘My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’ And it was God’s Presence that made all the difference in their journey.
As we journey through the spiritual pathways of life, we need God’s Presence more than ever before. And key to carrying God’s Presence is maintaining a lifestyle of holiness, praise and thanksgiving. Though the Israelites, encountered many obstacles in the way, according to Psalm 144, God’s Presence made all the obstacles, including the red sea, to clear away from before them. Today, you may have situations in your health, finances, relationships, that may seem like obstacles, though the odds may seem high, be rest assured that the God who parted the red sea is still alive today. Those obstacles may look insurmountable, but it is no match for the living God.
When God parted the Red Sea and the Israelites went through on dry ground, Pharaoh and his men knew that it was becuase their God was with them. Likewise, God wants to do amazing miracles in your life and make you an example of His goodness. He will send explosive blessings that is going to catapult you to the next level. God is about to break generational curses, and put an end to every hindrance in your life. On their journey, the Israelites came up against 7 bigger and stronger nations. Joshua 24:12 records that God sent hornets that drove out those nations from before the Israelites.
Likewise, whatever is trying to hinder your journey, God is able to drive them out. Whatever is keeping you from living a life of holiness, peace and joy, as you cry to God, He will drive them out before you. God is going to go ahead of you, and break the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron asunder. He is about to break chains that have held you back. you’re going to see increase, promotion, restoration, healiing and amazing favour.
We must be grateful to God for all His doings in our lives. Indeed if it had not been for The Lord where would we be? It is His mercy that has made all the difference. Despite all, we are still in the game of life because of God’s faithfulness. And what He has begun in our lives He is well able to complete. Therefore, don’t ever allow the enemy trap you with the feeling of discouragement. Always learn to switch to praise and get into God’s presence where there is fullness, of joy because the joy of the Lord is your strength! Today, as you remain grateful He will keep taking you from victory to victory, from strength to strength; and from glory to greater realms of glory in Jesus Name.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for an endless supply of Your joy. Today, I choose to remain ever grateful and continually give You the praise, glory and honor for all Your doings in my life. I indeed judge You faithful for all You have done for me in Jesus’ Name.
Quote :
The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222