By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
THURSDAY
THEME: GOD: YOUR STRENGTH AND SECURITY ”
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 125:1-2
“[1]Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. [2]As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.”
REFLECTIONS
On this second day of the New Year, God offers you hope. By His word, He wants to reassure you that He will remain your God, constant lover, defense, counselor, trailblazer, instructor, teacher, provider, trusted friend, a rock to stand on for the opportunities on the horizon, and ever-present help. God promises you His guardianship against the fiery darts and snares of the enemy.
The generous Father speaks to you today through Psalms 125. Each of the five verses in the psalm is God’s extraordinary promise and entreaty to you to highlight that the LORD is the strength of His people. The message reiterates, “The Lord Makes Steady Those Who Trust in Him.” God calls us, and by His grace, we become His people – an incredible privilege – not negotiated, not deserving, or paid for. It is simply grace for the undeserving! However, we can maintain our status as God’s people by dedicating our lives, thoughts, desires, and emotions to His will. Keeping and obeying His word is critical evidence of our connection with Him – anything short of this is a pretense and hypocrisy.
What assurance would you need more than what the Lord speaks to your heart in the first two verses of Psalms 125 in this brand new year? This song of ascent declares: [1]Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. [2]As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.” There is a condition or distinction – “those who trust in the Lord.” Do you trust God? The Lord who spoke Mount Zion into being and made it immovable will establish your stability, invincibility, robustness, and confidence and showcase your prominence. Your security through divine protection and divine constancy is assured you today.
God’s word declares in verse 3, “For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.” Troubles, challenges, difficulties, and uncertainties will set in, but none will discomfit you. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The wicked will not continue to dominate you. The Lord will continue to do good to upright people and keep His word in their hearts. Verse 5 is a warning to the wicked, which you should avoid. God will lead the crooked and cantankerous away to perdition. But for you, peace from the Lord will be your portion.
As you navigate your way in 2025, may the Lord Jesus Christ be your captain, companion, strength, guide, and most cherished, treasured, and loved Friend.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“Goodness of the Lord” – Cece Winans
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His promises in the past and present; thank God for His promise to lead you through the year;
– Pray for your family, loved ones, and those who are wavering to trust God and His promises;
– Identify some people with peculiar needs in your neighborhood, community, and among your contacts and intercede for them;
– Pray for peace in your home, community, church, workplace, and country; pray for advancement for all your loved ones and love for those who dislike you; pray for divine healing for the unwell.
