Word for the day by Christian Education forum

-
TRUSTING IN GOD’S PROMISES
Genesis 21: 1-21

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. (Genesis 21: 16)
Sarah’s experience – Human instinct of testing God’s promise

Sarah, bearing a child at her age was beyond her wildest imagination. She had just seen the absolute power and bountiful grace of God.  At this point, she probably was sitting back and thinking about how God could fulfill any promise he makes and how all the efforts of man were dwarfed by the absolute power of God. In the midst of this thinking, her human instincts kicked – all the understanding of God’s ability to provide faded to the background and her protective instinct about Isaac kicked in and she worried about sharing of the inheritance with Hagar’s son.  In our lives, do we sometimes feel the need to control things which we know we should leave to God? Jesus also talks about not worrying as every little detail is taken care of in our lives.  The world teaches us about limited resources and doing what it takes to get those- The Lord teaches us to trust and obey. When everything seems to be working out for us in life, can we pause a moment to be thankful and share the blessing rather than think about fighting for even more resources?

 Hagar’s experience of trust - seeing the light at the end of the tunnel:

 The Hagar experience is the other end of the spectrum. Culturally as a slave, being asked to bear a child was a decision in which she had no say. At this point, now that her mistress has had her child, she is being sent out into the desert with not enough water to keep her infant alive. Her heart must have broken to sit at a distance knowing her child is dying and not being able to do anything about it. The complete loss of control and sense of being wronged- some of us may feel we are at the spot today or even relate to this from your past. It’s a not a happy moment - But trusting that God is in charge is not optional.  A Don Moen gospel song really sums it up “Though I may not understand, the plans he has for me, through the eyes of faith, I can clearly see, God is good, All the time”. In that moment, God stepped in for Hagar and not only provided for the immediate need but blessed her son to be a great nation. We too have to trust in God’s promises

Prayer: Lord, teach me to trust in the midst of success and in the times where it appears nothing is working out. Teach me to be gracious and sharing of the blessings that you have given us. Amen.

Dr. Binu Jose, Toronto

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more