By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: GOD’S FAVOUR, OUR SHIELD“
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 5:12
“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
REFLECTIONS
Every believer is privileged to seek God’s guidance in every area of human endeavor. Seeking God’s guidance is the sure way of preparing for victory despite the challenges that may come along the way. It also affirms our confidence that we need God to travel along life’s pathway. Knowing God’s role, David penned Psalm 5—his prayer for guidance.
David prayed in Psalms 5:1-3, “[1]Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. [2]Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. [3]My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” To whom will you direct your prayers? For David he will direct his requests to God and wait. The waiting bit – “and I will look up,” is the point many people fail. As you meditate on His word and accord Him the glory and praise due Him, leave the rest for Him to handle. He will defend your cause. Indeed, God will hear your supplication if you call on Him sincerely.
We often forget how weak and frail we are and our constant need to look up to God for strength and guidance. In verses 7 and 8, David continued, “[7]But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. [8]Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.” You can find hope in the mercy of God. Whatever your circumstances, you can allow the Lord to lead you to straighten the path ahead.
David concludes with a robust assurance and hope in verses 11 and 12, “[11]But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. [12]For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Beloved, the favor of God is your assurance of victory, protection, safety, and deliverance. Pray for God’s favor; it will surround you with a shield. Blessings, goodness, peace, joy, and success await you and will be yours because of God’s favor.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 189 – “All That Thrills My Soul”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for being your shield; thank Him for His favor on you; pray to trust Him to guide every step you take;
– Pray for God’s guidance for your family, neighbors, acquaintances, colleagues, Church members, and all who call on Him;
– Pray for the cessation of ongoing wars, the safety of displaced people, the vulnerable, the injured, and the resource-deficient;
– Pray for the country and its progress, patriotism, and good leadership; pray for mourning families, patients seeking healing, and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
