By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY
THEME: UNFLINCHING TRUST IN A FAITHFUL GOD
SCRIPTURE: Job 19:25-27
“[25]For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; [26]And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, [27]Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
REFLECTIONS
As believers, our faith is firmly anchored on God’s personhood. There is no true faith that cannot trust God and His word and no truth that is devoid of God. Jesus confirmed in John 14:6 – “. . . I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Faith in something else is less precious and cannot match the impact and value of faith in God’s word and Christ. Faith in God’s word can save, reassure, deliver, and offer peace and hope even in pain and deprivation.
It is an absolute truth that God’s word never fails – as He is, so is His word – He is immutable, and His word remains unalterable. His constancy and faithfulness inspire tremendous hope in life. Thus, we should not allow situations in life, however bizarre, to subjugate us to a life of meaninglessness and despondency in God. Faith in God’s word and being convinced that God is faithful to His word moves mountains Mark 11:22-24). Job reached the ultimate in faith when he declared amid pain, suffering, mockery, condemnation, and desertion in Job 13:15, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” Only a person controlled by the Holy Spirit can make such a firm declaration of God’s faithfulness and justice.
Where do you place your faith in God? His faithfulness will make every Christian reach the ultimate in Faith in Him. Job, the patriarchs, the apostles, and the many Christian martyrs have taught us that we should not doubt God’s faithfulness even if it will cost our lives. Every submission by Job during his time of suffering was an experience that raised his faith higher and higher. He reveals that pain in the body does not deprive us of the joy, peace, and tranquility in the Lord. Let your accusers accuse you; your day of exoneration is coming. Allow them to persecute you; your deliverance will soon occur suddenly, and your healing is underway for your protracted ill health.
Endure hardships, failures, disappointments, and significant losses, but your faith and trust in Jesus must be fixed. Isaiah 26:3-4 affirms, “[3]You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. [4]Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Christians have the tenacity to persevere, endure challenges, and remain hopeful because of the certainty of God’s faithfulness. Paul’s comments on their suffering hinge on God’s faithfulness (2 Corinthians 4:7-18) – to suffer and even die for a trustworthy and faithful God is a great delight and privilege. Job’s hope that he would see his redeemer at last when all the sufferings are over (Job 19:25-27) has been the hope of every true believer of God – it is based on God’s faithfulness.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 461 – “Be Still, My Soul” – Mormon Tabernacle Choir
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for the challenges He helps you to endure; thank God for His abiding grace and support; pray to keep God’s faithfulness in your heart always;
– Pray for believers who suffer for their commitment to Christ; pray for anyone whose faith has been tested severely;
– Pray for Christians to demonstrate God’s faithfulness in all their endeavors; pray for young people who champion the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
– Pray for the sick who are soliciting funds to finance their surgical operations and treatment; pray for peace and patriotism; intercede for Christians to pray more during the ongoing crisis.
