Rolled Away Your Shame

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt." [Joshua 5:9a, NLT]

God spoke these words to Joshua after the Israelites, who were born in the wilderness, were circumcised. Circumcision symbolized a complete separation from the prevalent sins of the flesh. Also, it has spiritual overtones to every area of life e.g. circumcision of the heart.

Egypt represents bondage, confinement, pressure, adversary, and assault. Its root word speaks of land confinement, a place of intense pressure whoever lives in Egypt is fashioned and molded into the ways of Egypt, the spirit of the age, and above all, the mindset of Egypt.

Today your Loving Father says to you, "I have rolled away the shame associated with your pressures, bondage, assualt, limitations, and I have given you a new heart." This is what He did by allowing Jesus Christ die for you. Whatever you feel is a burden to you, be it sin, pain, sickness or lack, realize that because of what Jesus Christ did, you are no longer slave to anything or anyone.

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for taking all your burdens away. Declare that this year, nothing shall be a burden or a limitation to you. Pray that as you diligently seek His word each day, the your heart and your mind will be renewed.

God is not a man

God is not a man, so He does not lie.

He is not human, so He does not change His mind.

Has He ever spoken and failed to act?

Has He ever promised and not carried it through?

[Numbers 23:19, NLT]

God does not lie, He does not break His word. He never changes his mind, and hence never recalls His promise. That is why it is said that with God there is no variableness nor shadow of turning.  When He says something, He performs it in His providence (His foresightful care for His creatures) and in His perfect timing.

God promises through His written word (scripture, which He inspired) and His spoken word (e.g. prophesies, words spoken to you). Because He does not lie and He always keeps His promises, you are in a good position if you take hold and stand on His promises. Today He says to you, "Have I ever promised and not come through?"

Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to help you live life believing His promises. Pray that He reveals His heart to you concerning any situation through His word. Pray for a rhema by asking God to speak to you daily through His Word and give you insight into it.

Because You Are Blessed

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."[Numbers 22:12]

When God blessed Abraham, He said "I will curse him that curse you..." [Gen. 12:3]. This blessing goes beyond Abraham but to all his seed including you, who is a seed of Abraham by faith. Though the Israelites had often provoked God in the wilderness, yet He did not allow their enemies to curse them, for He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Just as God spoke to Balaam (who was not a "good" man) on behalf of the Israelites, God will go lengths to preserve you, like allowing the heart of men to be changed in your favour. He will not allow a curse come upon you. You are blessed. Because you are blessed, any attempt to curse you will be fruitless and will only bring a curse to those who curse you.

Remain blessed.

Suggestions for Prayer: Declare and thank God that you are blessed. Pray that He shows you what it means to be blessed and how to walk in the blessing.

God's Good Nature

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
[Exodus 34:6 NLT]

“Yahweh! The Lord!

The God of compassion and mercy!

I am slow to anger

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness."

It is rare to find someone take pride in who they are not or what they do not have. Even for those who claim to be who/what they are not, there is usually some element of truth in what they are claiming. For instance, someone preparing his CV might add a few experiences he has heard about and with a few adjectives, make it seem like he is experienced. He might not be an expert but he might have some knowledge.

With God, there is no lie, claims or pretence. God gloried in His goodness hence He declared it to Moses. Have you ever, for a moment doubted the goodness or love of your heavenly Father? God is good and HE is the God of compassion (the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it) and mercy (kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, benevolence).

Today He reminds you saying, "I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness."

Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to help you reflect His good nature for you are made in His image. If there is any area where you feel you have fallen short, pray that HE helps you rise above your shortcomings. Declare that there is no condemnation for you who is in Christ Jesus.

I Know You By Name

I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name [Exodus 33:17, AMP]

I remember a guy who was looking for a referee and had to meet a lecturer he admired. To his dismay, the lecturer said he did not know him. The guy insisted that he had always attended the lecturer's courses and had a good score in the exams. The lecturer simply replied, "there were too many of you, I cannot even recall your face."

There are many situations that are similar to this when it seems you are not significant e.g. working in a very big organization, being part of a large congregation, or being the smallest or youngest in a group, just to mention a few. It might seem like alot of effort is required from you before you can be noticed or even known.

Today your loving Father says "I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name".  In the midst of billions, HE knows your name and HE knows you personally, everything about you and HE even sees your life ahead. You do not need any effort to make Him know you.

As you make your requests known to Him, remember that He knows you by name and His response to your request is not generic but specific and customized for you.

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the personalized relationship HE has with you. Ask Him to show you how you could improve on the experiential relationship you have with Him.

Protection on Your Journey

“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you..." [Exodus 23:20, NLT]

In your journey through life and your daily journeys, you are not alone.

Wherever God is taking you to, He will provide protection and guidance along the way. First you have the Holy Spirit, who is always with you. Then, at different stages of your life, you will have guidance. This could come through parents/guardians, pastors, elder ones, mentors, or friends that come into our lives to keep us on the right path. Can you think of any?

Realise that you have a destiny in God and He has already made provision for you as you journey to fulfill this purpose. You have His guidance and protection today and always.

Suggestions for Prayer - Pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, to have the ability to hear from God through the Holy Spirit. Pray for the ability to discern the "angels" God has brought/will bring into your life to help you fulfill your purpose.

You Need Only To Be Still

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

[Exodus 14:14, NIV]

These encouraging words from Moses came after the Israelites expressed their fear on perceiving that Pharaoh pursued them [Exodus 14]. Some of the Israelites cried out to God while some others cried out against Moses. But Moses knew that the Lord was always with them [Exodus 13:22]. Moses was confident that the Lord would deliver them. He just did not know how.

Today, be still and rest in the assurance that God is always with you. HE will fight for you. Things may be happening around you or to you that could cause you to worry or be anxious. The Lord will equip you to progress amidst any deterring situation. HE will give you wisdom and direction to excel.

Suggestions for Prayer - Pray for wisdom and understanding on how to go about your day-to-day activities that you may excel in any situation.