UV 1314/10,000 Five Stones and Five Promises
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
I Samuel 17 v 40
David refused the unwieldy armour, sword and shield offered by King Saul. Instead, he preferred to pick up five smooth stones out of the brook. David picked up five stones as Goliath had four brothers who were giants like him and they were the reserve of the Philistines. The five smooth stones are the precious promises of God that we should always carry in our hearts and minds. The brook or river from which we should bow down to pick up is the Holy Spirit. Bowing down is to humble ourselves before the Promise-keeper. The shepherd’s bag is our natural memory that the Spirit of God prompts and reminds us from. Our sling is our prayer life. When we load our prayers with the promises of God for His presence, protection, provision, promotion and peace, we are equipped like David to face the Goliaths of our lives.
The stone that David aimed from his sling at Goliath hit him on the temple of his head. It created a dent on his thick skull. It knocked him down unconscious. After that David used Goliath’s own sword to decapitate him. Our prayers are accurate and never miss the mark. The stones chosen from the brook were smooth as the water had flown over it through many centuries and generations. Smooth stones were required to ensure an exact trajectory and to hit the bull’s eye as it were. Similarly, the uni-verses we chose to apply have been a blessing to many generations and the Holy Spirit has used it to bless, encourage and teach us through many years.
We need not fight shy to draw near our Goliaths. Unless David boldly advanced towards Goliath instead of shrinking in fear, he would not have been within striking range. He did not go so close as to be within the striking range of Goliath’s mighty sword but close enough to be able to aim and hit him accurately on the forehead. It was not David’s natural ability or prowess as a warrior for he was but a lad but his faith in the availing and prevailing might and grace of God that gave him victory against almost impossible odds. Others may get their horses and chariots ready for battle but we need to only carry a “scrip” – a small leather bag that shepherds used to carry and a metaphor for scripture in our context. The Lord will provide us the ammunition in our life's mission.
Prateep V Philip
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Hone, Honour and Horn
UV 1313/10,000 Hone, Honour and Horn
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 148 v 14
The Lord recently spoke these three similar words: “hone, honour, horn”. He would hone us or sharpen us. He would enable us to grow in the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit. As far as the Lord is concerned the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control are more vital than the gifts of word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, doing miracles, prophecy, tongues, interpretation and discernment. There should always be a fine balance in the growth and manifestation or use of both fruit and gifts. He hones us to be practical and effective in this world and not pious or religious, cut off from the reality of life.
He has exalted us in honour above all people on the earth for as scripture asks, “ which people have their God so near to them.” The greatest honour is not the honour man gives for that honour fades away, perishes, remains forgotten after a while or soon turns into dishonour. The greatest honour is the esteem of God. Daniel treated with some disdain the honour of even kings. But he was a man greatly esteemed in the eyes of God. So much so God gave him rare visions and inclined His ears to his prayers. He received the favour of successive kings even of different dynasties as he had the grace of God. He calls us a peculiar or special people who live not on bread or natural food but by abiding and doing His commands and dwelling on His promises. He shelters us in His love and clothes us with His salvation. Scripture affirms that He is in all that we call upon Him for. As Moses said, “It is your presence ( or our intimate relationship) that distinguishes us from the rest of mankind.”
The ram’s horn or “shofar” is the natural God-hewn instrument used by the Jews to call people to worship, to call them to assemble, to draw attention, to celebrate festival as well as to declare war and victory. It is a symbol of the joy of victory. It is a symbol of strength. The horn of an animal is used to attack as well as to defend itself. As we praise the Lord, we will experience joy, increase in strength and victory in all our struggles. We need to blow the horn in all our situations and circumstances. It is a symbol of our complete dependence on the Lord, our God and Redeemer. It is also a celebration of our personal relationship with Him. It is a dedication of every breath we take to the Beloved. As we blow in prayer, thanksgiving and worship, the Lord will prepare a banqueting table for us in the presence of our enemies. He has called us to be fellow citizens with all His saints, to be part of the household of God to declare His praise to all nations. He will exalt our horn or He will promote us in all our ventures for we, not just our words but our entire being, are now become His praise.
Prateep V Philip
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Four Stages in Studying the Word
UV 1312/10,000 Four Stages in Studying the Word
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ezra 7 v 10
The Israelites knew that they had to prepare their heart before seeking the meaning of the Word of God. The Word was the only law they knew. Just as we prepare a meal, we need to prepare our hearts for spiritual victuals. There should be an inner hunger or zeal to know the truth and a willingness to do what God says to us. Ezra prepared his own heart in humility, wisdom and in repentance. He genuinely confessed the faithlessness of the people as if it were his own. He humbled himself before God to seek His higher wisdom and guidance. He did not rely or lean on his own understanding for He knew that the Word emanating from God was sharper than his own native intelligence and deeper than his own wisdom. . Rather he leant on his understanding of scripture. Preparing one ‘s heart for the Word is the first step before inclining our ears to hear the Word. It implies that we should submit ourselves in reverence to what is being revealed in the Word. It implies that we make a whole-hearted commitment to obey it. The sign of understanding of scripture is its application. He was not a mere hearer or reader or preacher but he was a doer of the Word. It influenced his worship, his work, his words, his sense of worth or his idea of what is valuable in life. Understanding and application are intimately connected. My mentor used to say that the whole challenge is to transfer knowledge nine inches downward from the head to the heart. If it remains in the head it would lead to the head being puffed up with the pride of head knowledge. Mere head knowledge or theology is effete and sterile. If it is transferred to the heart through the process of understanding, then it makes one more humble and wise.
Ezra not only sought and learnt the Word but he also applied and taught it to others. His teaching had power and authenticity as he learnt and practiced it. The power of God was demonstrated in practical ways in His life. Hearing the word with hearts that are prepared, doing it and teaching it are the basic disciplines of any believer or disciple. The Word is described as double-edged sword as it cuts into the hearts of both the speaker or teacher and the listener or taught. It excises what should not be in our hearts and puts the seed of God’s truth in our hearts. The seed like good grain both satisfies our need and replicates itself in the lives of others. The Word contains the seed or the secrets of health,provision, promotion, prosperity, peace, progress, harmony, justice, joy, love and wisdom. We learn both the laws of God and His judgments. Judgment is the application of law to various real-life situations. For instance, Moses being asked to speak to the rock instead of striking it with his staff was the word God spoke. Moses struck it in anger at the rebellion of the people instead of speaking the word. The result was that he was not spared judgment. He was not allowed to enter the promised land of Canaan. God’s word was more important then as now than all our actions.
Every day we need to prepare our hearts to hear and receive the Word of God. The rest of the day we should spend remembering, thinking and applying the truth we learnt along with our chores and daily routine of work. The intermingling of the Word and work will bless the latter. The four stages in studying the Word are preparation of hearts, seeking or the actual studying phase, doing or the application stage and finally the teaching phase. We should not just be storehouses of knowledge of the word but pass it on to others in order to bless their lives for a water tank that only holds water begins to stagnate and stink. There is a need for an inflow and outflow for an overflow of blessings to happen.
Prateep V Philip
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ezra 7 v 10
The Israelites knew that they had to prepare their heart before seeking the meaning of the Word of God. The Word was the only law they knew. Just as we prepare a meal, we need to prepare our hearts for spiritual victuals. There should be an inner hunger or zeal to know the truth and a willingness to do what God says to us. Ezra prepared his own heart in humility, wisdom and in repentance. He genuinely confessed the faithlessness of the people as if it were his own. He humbled himself before God to seek His higher wisdom and guidance. He did not rely or lean on his own understanding for He knew that the Word emanating from God was sharper than his own native intelligence and deeper than his own wisdom. . Rather he leant on his understanding of scripture. Preparing one ‘s heart for the Word is the first step before inclining our ears to hear the Word. It implies that we should submit ourselves in reverence to what is being revealed in the Word. It implies that we make a whole-hearted commitment to obey it. The sign of understanding of scripture is its application. He was not a mere hearer or reader or preacher but he was a doer of the Word. It influenced his worship, his work, his words, his sense of worth or his idea of what is valuable in life. Understanding and application are intimately connected. My mentor used to say that the whole challenge is to transfer knowledge nine inches downward from the head to the heart. If it remains in the head it would lead to the head being puffed up with the pride of head knowledge. Mere head knowledge or theology is effete and sterile. If it is transferred to the heart through the process of understanding, then it makes one more humble and wise.
Ezra not only sought and learnt the Word but he also applied and taught it to others. His teaching had power and authenticity as he learnt and practiced it. The power of God was demonstrated in practical ways in His life. Hearing the word with hearts that are prepared, doing it and teaching it are the basic disciplines of any believer or disciple. The Word is described as double-edged sword as it cuts into the hearts of both the speaker or teacher and the listener or taught. It excises what should not be in our hearts and puts the seed of God’s truth in our hearts. The seed like good grain both satisfies our need and replicates itself in the lives of others. The Word contains the seed or the secrets of health,provision, promotion, prosperity, peace, progress, harmony, justice, joy, love and wisdom. We learn both the laws of God and His judgments. Judgment is the application of law to various real-life situations. For instance, Moses being asked to speak to the rock instead of striking it with his staff was the word God spoke. Moses struck it in anger at the rebellion of the people instead of speaking the word. The result was that he was not spared judgment. He was not allowed to enter the promised land of Canaan. God’s word was more important then as now than all our actions.
Every day we need to prepare our hearts to hear and receive the Word of God. The rest of the day we should spend remembering, thinking and applying the truth we learnt along with our chores and daily routine of work. The intermingling of the Word and work will bless the latter. The four stages in studying the Word are preparation of hearts, seeking or the actual studying phase, doing or the application stage and finally the teaching phase. We should not just be storehouses of knowledge of the word but pass it on to others in order to bless their lives for a water tank that only holds water begins to stagnate and stink. There is a need for an inflow and outflow for an overflow of blessings to happen.
Prateep V Philip
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Lion-like Leadership
UV 1311/10,000 Lion-like Leadership
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Micah 5 v 8
The faithful in every age and nation will remain only a remnant and not the majority. With God on one’s side, even one person is more than a majority. He is like a lion, a king or leader among all people. The Lord increases in might the power of the meek. He enables them to defeat the plans and designs of the enemy of their souls- the roaring lion. By their prayers and the judicious exercise of their faith and spiritual power, tread down on strongholds, tear these in pieces and bring down every speculation that rises against the truth and will of God. The use of the opposite metaphors of “lion” and “sheep” in the same breath is to point out that godly leaders though they are lions with immense power should be meek, humble, gentle and obedient like sheep. Jesus though He is portrayed as a “ Lion of Judah” was also the “ Lamb of God.” He was led to the slaughter like a lamb though He could have physically destroyed the entire Roman army with His breath. We too are called to be like a young lion in terms of courage but gentle like a sheep. Our attitude should be confident like that of a king but our behaviour like that of a servant. This is the essence of the concept of servant-leadership. Our knowledge of God and His word and ways should not get us all impatient, puffed up and vain but it should teach us to be meek and patient to wait upon His will to be fulfilled in His time.
It is said that a pack of lions led by a sheep is far less powerful than a flock of sheep led by a lion. This underlines the importance the Lord gives to leadership in executing His will. He raised up a man from the papyrus reeds- Moses whose very name meant “ reeds” but his deeds and words written on paper today has taught and demonstrated with power to many faithful people every lesson of leadership one needs to learn. The words of Moses put fear in the hearts of the mighty Pharaoh and the Egyptians. His words and his ordinary staff were his weapons. It made his formidable enemies and opponents tremble with fear even as other beasts would before a lion.
The reference to “ young lion” in the uni-verse is a promise of the Lord to restore and renew our youthful vigour. Scripture refers to it as the “ dew of our youth”. He will make us fruitful even into our old age. It is the blessing and anointing of the Lord that makes us a “lion” or powerful leader. He invests His authority in us. He makes us his signet ring to authenticate or give the final seal of approval. We have the sword of the word in one hand and the sword of execution in the other.
Prateep V Philip
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Micah 5 v 8
The faithful in every age and nation will remain only a remnant and not the majority. With God on one’s side, even one person is more than a majority. He is like a lion, a king or leader among all people. The Lord increases in might the power of the meek. He enables them to defeat the plans and designs of the enemy of their souls- the roaring lion. By their prayers and the judicious exercise of their faith and spiritual power, tread down on strongholds, tear these in pieces and bring down every speculation that rises against the truth and will of God. The use of the opposite metaphors of “lion” and “sheep” in the same breath is to point out that godly leaders though they are lions with immense power should be meek, humble, gentle and obedient like sheep. Jesus though He is portrayed as a “ Lion of Judah” was also the “ Lamb of God.” He was led to the slaughter like a lamb though He could have physically destroyed the entire Roman army with His breath. We too are called to be like a young lion in terms of courage but gentle like a sheep. Our attitude should be confident like that of a king but our behaviour like that of a servant. This is the essence of the concept of servant-leadership. Our knowledge of God and His word and ways should not get us all impatient, puffed up and vain but it should teach us to be meek and patient to wait upon His will to be fulfilled in His time.
It is said that a pack of lions led by a sheep is far less powerful than a flock of sheep led by a lion. This underlines the importance the Lord gives to leadership in executing His will. He raised up a man from the papyrus reeds- Moses whose very name meant “ reeds” but his deeds and words written on paper today has taught and demonstrated with power to many faithful people every lesson of leadership one needs to learn. The words of Moses put fear in the hearts of the mighty Pharaoh and the Egyptians. His words and his ordinary staff were his weapons. It made his formidable enemies and opponents tremble with fear even as other beasts would before a lion.
The reference to “ young lion” in the uni-verse is a promise of the Lord to restore and renew our youthful vigour. Scripture refers to it as the “ dew of our youth”. He will make us fruitful even into our old age. It is the blessing and anointing of the Lord that makes us a “lion” or powerful leader. He invests His authority in us. He makes us his signet ring to authenticate or give the final seal of approval. We have the sword of the word in one hand and the sword of execution in the other.
Prateep V Philip
Monday, January 26, 2015
The Bounce Back Effect
UV 1310/10,000 The Bounce Back Effect
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Deuteronomy 23 v 5
God loves without partiality. It is true that He loves Israel but He also loves the whole world and that is why He has given the potential for every human being across the planet to live eternally by virtue of his hope in Jesus, His beloved Son. All the identities of persons in the Bible are subsumed or contained in the name, person and word of Jesus, be it Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul and John. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, we also represent these identities. Naturally, we face the mountains or challenges and difficulties faced by all of them. But our resource is the collective promises of God that are also contained in the name, person and word of Jesus. He is called the “yes” and “amen” to all God’s promises. We need to enter into a personal covenant of mutual love and trust on the basis of each promise. God is bound only by His own word. By the bonds of His Word are broken the bands of our bondage or curse or limitations. Prayer releases the power of His Word to break every curse, to enable us to move every mountain, to overcome every limitation, to surmount every difficulty.
His love has a transformative effect. He turns every curse, spoken or thought against us into a blessing. Every self-limiting belief and word we have spoken knowingly or unknowingly, He turns into a source of blessing. There are many modern Balams who are recruited to curse us by the Balaks of our time. But the Lord God would not listen to their imprecations against us. If they roll a stone against us, it will roll back on them. If they dig a pit for us, they will fall into it. The very weapon they try to use against us will turn against them. The enemy of our soul and his agents use curses as weapons to rob, steal and kill, to rob our peace, to steal our health, well being and prosperity, to kill our joy and our potential, to end our legacy so that our faith in God is dampened, our effectiveness is dulled. A curse is like a bird that does not find a place to rest when it is not deserved and so it returns to whom and where it came from. The Shalom peace of Jesus protects us and preserves us from curses and bounces it back to its authors and publishers.
But God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping person. We need to make a covenant with Him so that He puts a hedge or a fence around our lives, our families, our friends, our foes, our work, our ministry and our legacy. Each promise of God is part of that fence. We should not allow the fence to lean or fall down. We need to lean not on our understanding of the world but lean on our understanding of His commands and promises. The Lord is eager to bless us in accordance with our understanding of His promises. Our faith is the sum total of our understanding of His promises that flow from our covenant or sacred relationship with Him.
Prateep V Philip
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Deuteronomy 23 v 5
God loves without partiality. It is true that He loves Israel but He also loves the whole world and that is why He has given the potential for every human being across the planet to live eternally by virtue of his hope in Jesus, His beloved Son. All the identities of persons in the Bible are subsumed or contained in the name, person and word of Jesus, be it Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul and John. When we receive Jesus into our hearts, we also represent these identities. Naturally, we face the mountains or challenges and difficulties faced by all of them. But our resource is the collective promises of God that are also contained in the name, person and word of Jesus. He is called the “yes” and “amen” to all God’s promises. We need to enter into a personal covenant of mutual love and trust on the basis of each promise. God is bound only by His own word. By the bonds of His Word are broken the bands of our bondage or curse or limitations. Prayer releases the power of His Word to break every curse, to enable us to move every mountain, to overcome every limitation, to surmount every difficulty.
His love has a transformative effect. He turns every curse, spoken or thought against us into a blessing. Every self-limiting belief and word we have spoken knowingly or unknowingly, He turns into a source of blessing. There are many modern Balams who are recruited to curse us by the Balaks of our time. But the Lord God would not listen to their imprecations against us. If they roll a stone against us, it will roll back on them. If they dig a pit for us, they will fall into it. The very weapon they try to use against us will turn against them. The enemy of our soul and his agents use curses as weapons to rob, steal and kill, to rob our peace, to steal our health, well being and prosperity, to kill our joy and our potential, to end our legacy so that our faith in God is dampened, our effectiveness is dulled. A curse is like a bird that does not find a place to rest when it is not deserved and so it returns to whom and where it came from. The Shalom peace of Jesus protects us and preserves us from curses and bounces it back to its authors and publishers.
But God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping person. We need to make a covenant with Him so that He puts a hedge or a fence around our lives, our families, our friends, our foes, our work, our ministry and our legacy. Each promise of God is part of that fence. We should not allow the fence to lean or fall down. We need to lean not on our understanding of the world but lean on our understanding of His commands and promises. The Lord is eager to bless us in accordance with our understanding of His promises. Our faith is the sum total of our understanding of His promises that flow from our covenant or sacred relationship with Him.
Prateep V Philip
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Showers of Blessing
UV 1309/10,000 Showers of Blessing
And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Ezekiel 34 v 26
The world worships success and seeks it with all their heart. But, instead of limited success, we should be zealous like Jacob for blessing. The greatest blessing is to live forever. When we believe the promises of Jesus we receive the blessing of eternal life as well as abundant life. It is indeed a wonder that the mere process of believing is sufficient to enable us to receive such great blessings that nothing else can buy or bring or guarantee. Believing is a process for it requires many connected steps: one, we should hear the Word from God, we should ask questions if we do not understand the word or to clarify issues, our minds should understand the message, our hearts should receive and our spirits should believe it. The Lord then confirms our belief is right by sending upon us a shower of blessings of grace and peace. Grace assures us that we have every reason to rejoice while peace assures us that we have no reason to fear. We do not have to fear death itself for it opens us to new vistas of freedom and blessing. Grace gives us abundant provision to live this life effectively such that our own lives are a blessing to others, those who believe as well as those who do not.
Dwelling in our spirits with God in His high places enables us to have a vantage view of life-a new perspective that stretches beyond the temporal and the temporary. The Lord will accept us and our offerings as we are. As the dew of Hermon, the dew that descends on the mountains of Zion, will the blessings come upon us, little by little and in due time. The uni-verse mentions not the singular “shower” but the plural “showers”. His presence as Immanuel or our relationship with Him is the greatest blessing that guarantees eternal life for us. He will abundantly bless our provision since we know Him to be Jehovah Jireh. He will bless us with victory as He is Jehovah Nissi. He will bless us with guidance as He is Jehovah Rohi- the good Shepherd. He will bless us with showers of power as He is Jehovah El Shaddai, the Almighty One. He is also our shelter, shield and salvation.
All the blessings we enjoy in life are not accidental or incidental but the source is the Lord God. The words in the uni-verse: “ I will make…” and “I will cause..” implies that they are made or caused by the Lord. He will send the different types of showers in different seasons of our need. Not only are we blessed but we will ourselves be a source of blessing to others. The world sees their cup either half full or half empty depending on whether the perspective is optimistic or pessimistic but we see the cup of blessings as always overflowing. Our need for blessing is satisfied and we allow the overflow to meet the need of others to be blessed. The uni-verse uses the image of “ a hill “ to portray that the people who belong to God will be lifted up like a hill. We will be a city on a hill and a city of light, a candle on a lampstand to light up and drive the darkness away. Every time we feel downcast or low in spirit, we only need to take a shower of blessing. The blessings enumerated by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount are all the nine showers of blessing we receive every day. We are the poor in spirit since we know that we are the recipients and not the cause of blessing, that we cannot claim it as our natural right or prerogative due to our hard work or good qualities or good deeds but only by sheer grace of God through Jesus. We are blessed to be comforted as we mourn the evil in this world and the griefs and troubles that we bear with godly sorrow. We are blessed to inherit the earth as we are the meek as we submit to God. We are blessed and satisfied as we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are blessed as we keep receiving mercy from the Lord for our past, present and future sin even as we confess it. We are blessed to see God everywhere, in everything and in every person for we are pure in heart. We are blessed to be called children of God as we are peacemakers between God and man, problem-solvers and bridge builders. We are blessed for the kingdom of heaven belongs to us, implying that we receive eternal rewards, as we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness or following godly principles in our lives.
Prateep V Philip
And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Ezekiel 34 v 26
The world worships success and seeks it with all their heart. But, instead of limited success, we should be zealous like Jacob for blessing. The greatest blessing is to live forever. When we believe the promises of Jesus we receive the blessing of eternal life as well as abundant life. It is indeed a wonder that the mere process of believing is sufficient to enable us to receive such great blessings that nothing else can buy or bring or guarantee. Believing is a process for it requires many connected steps: one, we should hear the Word from God, we should ask questions if we do not understand the word or to clarify issues, our minds should understand the message, our hearts should receive and our spirits should believe it. The Lord then confirms our belief is right by sending upon us a shower of blessings of grace and peace. Grace assures us that we have every reason to rejoice while peace assures us that we have no reason to fear. We do not have to fear death itself for it opens us to new vistas of freedom and blessing. Grace gives us abundant provision to live this life effectively such that our own lives are a blessing to others, those who believe as well as those who do not.
Dwelling in our spirits with God in His high places enables us to have a vantage view of life-a new perspective that stretches beyond the temporal and the temporary. The Lord will accept us and our offerings as we are. As the dew of Hermon, the dew that descends on the mountains of Zion, will the blessings come upon us, little by little and in due time. The uni-verse mentions not the singular “shower” but the plural “showers”. His presence as Immanuel or our relationship with Him is the greatest blessing that guarantees eternal life for us. He will abundantly bless our provision since we know Him to be Jehovah Jireh. He will bless us with victory as He is Jehovah Nissi. He will bless us with guidance as He is Jehovah Rohi- the good Shepherd. He will bless us with showers of power as He is Jehovah El Shaddai, the Almighty One. He is also our shelter, shield and salvation.
All the blessings we enjoy in life are not accidental or incidental but the source is the Lord God. The words in the uni-verse: “ I will make…” and “I will cause..” implies that they are made or caused by the Lord. He will send the different types of showers in different seasons of our need. Not only are we blessed but we will ourselves be a source of blessing to others. The world sees their cup either half full or half empty depending on whether the perspective is optimistic or pessimistic but we see the cup of blessings as always overflowing. Our need for blessing is satisfied and we allow the overflow to meet the need of others to be blessed. The uni-verse uses the image of “ a hill “ to portray that the people who belong to God will be lifted up like a hill. We will be a city on a hill and a city of light, a candle on a lampstand to light up and drive the darkness away. Every time we feel downcast or low in spirit, we only need to take a shower of blessing. The blessings enumerated by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount are all the nine showers of blessing we receive every day. We are the poor in spirit since we know that we are the recipients and not the cause of blessing, that we cannot claim it as our natural right or prerogative due to our hard work or good qualities or good deeds but only by sheer grace of God through Jesus. We are blessed to be comforted as we mourn the evil in this world and the griefs and troubles that we bear with godly sorrow. We are blessed to inherit the earth as we are the meek as we submit to God. We are blessed and satisfied as we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are blessed as we keep receiving mercy from the Lord for our past, present and future sin even as we confess it. We are blessed to see God everywhere, in everything and in every person for we are pure in heart. We are blessed to be called children of God as we are peacemakers between God and man, problem-solvers and bridge builders. We are blessed for the kingdom of heaven belongs to us, implying that we receive eternal rewards, as we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness or following godly principles in our lives.
Prateep V Philip
The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
UV 1308/10,000 The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy
Psalm 126 v 5
This principle seems to go against the grain of the axiom of life and spiritual process- “as you sow, so you reap”, for it says that if we sow in tears, we will reap in joy. At the time of sowing or the beginning of an enterprise, we face great travail and difficulties. But over time, the barriers will be removed and we would see good results. In contrast, if a person spends his time sleeping and lazing around at the time of sowing, he would be empty handed and pained at the time of harvest. If a person goes forth into a new enterprise with a lot of faith and prayer and does due diligence, he would be duly rewarded. It is quite akin to investing and waiting for the return on investment. To repent, mourn and to intercede for the souls of people would certainly lead to eventually celebrating with joy. It is also called “ liquid prayer”. We need to be compassionate and empathetic. We need to understand the value of their lives and their souls. Nehemiah wept for Jerusalem. The captives from Israel wept by the rivers of Babylon and they could not sing due to their sorrow. Our sorrow should be a “godly sorrow” not an emotional one or sorrow that leads to depression and death. The Lord values such tearful prayer on behalf of people. It will lead to great rejoicing in heaven as on earth.
Today, I rejoiced when I heard that one person’s life was changed when she read my second book, “For Better through Verse.” It led me to comfort another person in Australia whose wife had left him with an infant child to live in an adulterous relationship with another. He grieved over the loss of his relationship with his wife but he left it to the sovereign will of the Lord to win her back to Him first and then only back to her husband and child. Even in that situation, he had an attitude to pray for her and to praise God regularly. He was literally sowing in tears and ultimately sooner or later he would reap in joy. Indeed, blessed are those who mourn for the Lord shall comfort them. The point would come in our faith walk where we begin to thank God for that experience that brought us to tears for it taught us to walk closer with Him.
Sowing in tears is normally done for another person. It can be also done for a whole city or state or country. When we sow in tears, we are moving the Father’s heart. Things begin to happen in the spiritual realms. The Lord will orchestrate matters in such a way that the sowing will end in a rich harvest and great joy. Jesus compares the pain with that of a mother who is carrying. She experiences a lot of suffering and difficulties while undergoing her pregnancy. But when the child is born, she is filled with joy at the new creation in which she was a partner. Bearing a spiritual burden for oneself or others is indeed a lot like pregnancy. We need to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, continually focussed or obsessed with the matter and present it to the Lord with tears. The Lord will in His time turn our tears into laughter. To sow in tears it requires us to be greatly committed and involved. It implies earnest and fervent prayer. We should set aside times in our days and lives to pray with tears for the salvation and well being of people.
Prateep V Philip
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