Tag: Solomon

Posted in GIVE THANKS, SOUL FOOD, WORD OF GOD

What do you do when your Prayer isn’t Answered?

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

I want us to talk about this issue as we have, in a way or two, experienced this before. Have you ever prayed for something and had no answer before? Heaven was silent. You heard nothing, and saw nothing. It could be that you prayed for a loved one to get well, or an irresponsible child to be responsible, or for a loved one to have a safe journey, or to get a job, or for a wonderful marriage etc.  You prayed but the opposite happened. Some people get worried when such happens. Others get negative about the situation, cry, and some even stop attending church services, praying, studying God’s Word, etc.

What do you do when your prayer isn’t answered?

In 2 Samuel 12, God allowed the enemy to send a deadly illness to the child of David and Bathsheba. Bathsheba was Uriah’s wife. David got her pregnant, plotted the death of Uriah, and married her. This act was evil in the sight of God so He allowed the enemy to have his way. Like I always say, the enemy is a destroyer. When he gets the chance, he doesn’t miss. Satan knows how to hit his target.

David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and prayed for the child to get well. However, on the seventh day the child died. This was a shock for everybody. People began to wonder what David will do when he hears the news.

David heard the news but he surprised everybody. That is he got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.

The scripture encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

David didn’t get the answer he prayed for yet he worshiped the Lord. He didn’t get negative and moved about telling people how God had been unfair to him. He didn’t hold the view that God was unmerciful. He didn’t allow the death of his son to affect his relationship with God. David didn’t stop praying, or doing the things he loved doing for God. And he didn’t allow that situation to affect or have influence on his whole life. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. David later comforted Bathsheba, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to Solomon. Solomon was the Beloved of the Lord.

Friend when things don’t happen the way you prayed for, don’t give up, don’t be discouraged, and don’t be disappointed. God know best. Only trust that God has your best interest at heart and he will give you something better than what you prayed for if you believe. The feeling of hurt may come but don’t let that stop you from praising the name of the Lord. Don’t let that stop you from giving thanks. And don’t let that stop you from running your race well. Your best is yet to come.

God bless you

Posted in GOD'S KINGDOM, OUR WORDS, SOUL FOOD

GOD IS THE JUDGE

Posted on by Uplifting Christ

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Romans 2:1-3

All of us have strengths, and we all have weaknesses. You are strong in an area where your neighbour is weak. And you neighbour may be strong in an area where you are weak. None of us is perfect. Over the past years, we have heard stories about great ministers who engaged themselves in things we least expected. I wouldn’t narrow it to ministers alone but your friends, some people you respected, etc. It is easy to think “I wouldn’t do that. How could a whole Pastor, Teacher, President, Christian commit adultery, steal, etc”. But the truth is you are strong in that area because of the Grace of God. Take time to understand a persons’ situation before you pass a comment. If you took time to understand their story, you wouldn’t be critical and judgemental.

Do you remember the story of the woman who was caught in adultery in John 8? All her accusers were not perfect so none could throw the stone at her. Think about this for a moment; if God should expose you (what you do in secret) to the rest of the world, could you imagine what people would say about you? From today, don’t join unbeliever who mock at believers when they fall into temptation, or their secret sins come to light. Don’t be quick to pass a comment when you hear your brother or sister has done something wrong because you are not perfect. If nothing at all, you lie on phone some times.

I have learnt that no matter what a person does, how stupid or foolish it might be, there is a reason for that. Rome was not built in a day. No one was born a prostitute, a drug addict, a thief, a cheat, a liar, a gossip, lesbian, homosexual, fornicator, masturbator, adulterer, etc.  Something probably led them into that, and as God’s children, instead of us being critical and judgemental, we have to minister Grace to them. Let us pray for one another, and encourage one another because no one is perfect in all his or her ways. We are all striving to be perfect. Matthew 5:48

Do you know that God used people with weaknesses most in the past? And He is still using people in such situations? I have realised that when a person is weak in an area, he draws closer to his or her Saviour for strength.  They live in Him daily, and He lives in them. Don’t let your weakness be a stumbling block rather let it a stepping stone. Know that Jesus is your strength and He will see you through. Focus on Him daily as in Hebrews 12.

The Law was given through a man. He disobeyed God, and he was a murderer. Moses was not perfect. The man after God’s own heart committed adultery. He was a murderer. David was not perfect. The strongest man was brought down by a woman. Samson was not perfect. The wisest man on earth followed other gods. Solomon was not perfect. Peter was closed to Jesus. He was among the closest disciples to Jesus yet Peter denied Him three times. Peter was not perfect. The greatest apostle, Paul, was not perfect. Friends, we were all saved by Grace through Faith. It is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbour’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole travelling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbour. Matthew 7:1-5 The Message.

God is the Judge