By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: HE SHIELDS WITH SALVATION AND CLOTHES WITH GREATNESS
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 18:35
“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.”
REFLECTIONS
Suppose you pause for a moment and think about God, His love, His kindness, His patience, His compassion, and His readiness to forgive the repentant sinner – you will marvel at what you have done to deserve such an accessible yet very costly treat from the Lord. While considering yourself unworthy of God’s amazing grace and unwavering favor, Jesus says, “. . . I have come that . . . [you] may have life, and . . . have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10. In Christ, you deserve every good gift from the Father of light, for you are worth everything to Him. The critical point in this relationship is what David records in Psalms 32:1 – “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.” Sin separates; sin prevents the Lord from hearing and saving us (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1,2). Once Christ covers your sins and robes you with His righteousness, God’s right hand will uphold you under all circumstances.
Psalms 37:17 states, “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous.” God will uphold you with His righteous right hand and declares in verse 24, “Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” God upholds and strengthens your hands by clasping His in yours and leading you on a safe path. While the wicked become weak, irrelevant, guilty, disillusioned, and lost, you are divinely empowered, godly-focused, resolute, guiltless, highly favored, and remain rejoicing for the goodness of God. For those who have made the Lord their God, David testifies in verse 25, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” God forbid. He shall supply all your needs and be there for you (Philippians 4:19).
Because you are so precious to God, Isaiah 41:10 reminds you, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” God will uphold and bear you for greatness with His righteous right hand. There is so much to enjoy from the Lord, so David said in Psalms 41:12-13 – “[12]As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever. [13]Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.” God remains faithful, ever-saving, and continually transforming His people to be like Christ.
Meditate again on this truth, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.” In Christ, your salvation guarantees your security, and He will protect and keep you with His mighty right hand and care for your needs, anxieties, and concerns. Moreover, as He gently leads you, He establishes you for unlimited greatness. May the Lord keep you focused, unrelenting, and always abiding in Him.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 101 – “Children of the Heavenly Father” – rendered by the Concordia Choir
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His ever-fulfilling promises; thank God for a unique favor He has shown you this month; pray for strength to abide and walk with Him;
– Pray for family, friends, and acquaintances to hold on to God despite their challenges, fears, and anxieties; pray for people who have asked you to pray for them;
– Pray for victims of disaster, wars, violence, and terrorist attacks; pray for displaced people and refugees; pray for abused children, women, and men;
– Pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation; pray for the Gospel to reach the unreached and transform lives; pray for the sick and the mourning.
