GOD BOASTS ABOUT HIS PEOPLE
THURSDAY 09 DECEMBER 2021
In connection to His ministry's work, Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth, preaching Christ and persuading the Jews and Greeks to believe in Him. When the Jews opposed him, he left them to preach to the Gentiles and in the process, many of the Corinthians who heard the gospel, believed in Jesus and were baptised. Afterwards, the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by vision, encouraging him to keep preaching and spreading the Word in the city of Corinth.
Reference: Acts 18:10 New International Version (NIV) "For I am with you, and...I have many people in this city."
These were powerful words of assurance from the Lord to Paul in Corinth and for this reason, he continued to teach the Word in the city for a year and six months. God knew that Apostle Paul needed the assurance because of what the city was known for. The city of Corinth was a tough city widely known in Paul's day as worldwide commercial center, notorious for its hedonism and immorality. However, the Bible says, "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way" (Psalm 37:23 ESV). And so, for Paul to prevail in such environment, God had to strengthen him with empowering words of confidence. He became strong and courageous, and God's enduring word gave him a greater scope for coping mechanism by which his preaching and church planting were actualized in the city.
God bears record of His people's location or whereabouts, and besides, His eyes are all over His righteous ones. The Bible says, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous..." (1 Peter 3:12). Therefore, don't ever entertain the negative thought that God is far from you, has forsaken or forgotten you. When you don't feel like God's attention is on you as you hoped, give yourself to the Word, and keep living by His will. We can't fully recognise His delight in us until we become very conscious and mindful of His focus on us in our imaginations and inner reflections or in the mental dialogues we have with ourselves. God's eyes of omniscience are always directed towards us and He continually provides us with guardianship, care, love and protection, as He delights in us.
God doesn't just watch over us and boasts about us, He also gives us every good and perfect gift and His angels take it upon themselves to minister to us as saints. God is all-knowing and present every where; He keeps the righteous under careful observation and takes good care of them anywhere and anytime. We must therefore remain forever grateful that we are always present in His sight on account of Christ's righteousness and because He loves this righteousness which we are clothed with it, He is well pleased with us and His countenance beholds us with all pleasure and delight, regardless of location in this present world. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Psalm 91:14-16; Isaiah 62:4; Psalm 149:4; Zephaniah 3:17.
Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your great delight in me as your righteous one. The consistency of my thoughts regarding your governing presence and beholding influence is based on my meditation on the Word. By paying attention to your truth and living accordingly, I develop the consciousness of rapidly-increasing state of your delight and glory in my life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!
