Thoughts for another day

October 29, 2008.

Today's verse: Jas. 5:13. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Quite simply, if anyone is afflicted, let him pray. Yes, if you are unwell, the Word of God asks to pray. It is concluded that your prayer will be answered. The simplicity of the Word of God is apparent and it assumes the promises of God to be, not something which may or may not deliver, but the very guarantee of delivery – come what may. Hence it’s better to take the promises of God as they are. Whenever we’re in a spot it's enough to pray to Him, simply in a child like manner, the way a child asks for something without worrying where it will come from. God rewards this kind of faith and He even marvels at it …Jesus said, ‘I have not found so great a faith…’ Mt. 8:10.

I have seen the complications we get into in times of a little stress arising out of small problems. We blow our problems beyond proportions and then view them as great boulders, impossible to cross. That then induces us to rush for human help and also call upon God, not believing Him to really work, but more out of the feeling ‘not to leave anything untended, as something may help. Certainly not the way God wants, for He desires, we approach Him with the problem and then leave it to Him, not worrying about anything.

There is also another thing that’s there in our above verse. If you’ve been walking with the Man of Galilee, then you’ll understand it well. It says, if someone is happy, let him sing psalms. See, the Word of God seeps into all modes of our lives. It teaches us that we not only think of God only when in a spot, but also when happy. And when we are in good spirits, we should praise Him which is what the psalms do.

My friend, God is always around, in good and in bad. It’s time we recognised this and fell in line with what He wants us to do in any situation. His Word clarifies many difficulties and explains how we are to get His blessings. Read it and follow it. There will be peace beyond understanding in your heart.