Devotional: Cheer up
Silhouette image of a businessman with broken chains in sunset
DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA
TUESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 2021
*CHEER UP!*
📜TEXT: MICAH 5:1-8📜
🔑📖 KEY VERSE: “And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men” (MICAH 5:7).
Richard Wurmbrand, an evangelical minister, spent 14 years in communist imprisonment and torture. In his book, ‘Tortured for Christ’, he recounted with joy how he suffered pains and agony for the sake of the gospel even though he hated the way initially.
“I was brought up in a family in which no religion was recognised. In my childhood, I received no religious education. At the age of 14, I was already a convinced hardened atheist. And so, I grew up in bitterness towards religion. But as I understand afterwards, I had the grace to be one of the chosen of God for reasons which I don’t understand,” he said.
Citizens of countries that have experienced war will testify that while the hostilities lasted, it was always difficult to think that peace would ever return. Redemption is always a distant dream in times of afflictions and trials. But it does come!
Our passage talks about the remnant of Jacob. In the initial fulfilment, reference was to the remnant of all twelve tribes that would return from captivity. In the spiritual fulfilment, the remnant would be those of all the nations who would come out of the captivity of sin; and thus be the light of God and the preserving salt of the world.
Although the children of Israel had been sent into enemy nations because of their sins, they would be redeemed and returned to their native land. This shows that those who are presently far from the Lord or have wandered away from Him can still find grace in His sight for salvation or restoration.
Having been saved, we are bound to go through difficult times as we labour for the Lord. However, redemption will come if we endure the “light afflictions”, which the enemy brings our way. Whatever the inconvenience, we must endure, for our joy will come in the morning.
✍🏽 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Numerous blessings await those who endure till the end.
📜THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: MATTHEW 26📜
