Month: March 2025

Trusting God During Hard Times

Set in the context of unrest during
time of Judges & faced with famine,
Ruth a young widow, leaves her
native land to travel with her
mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of
Boaz, who grows to love her and
becomes her kinsman-redeemer.
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Jesus.
With twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
shows God’s love to mankind.

Dear Lord, thank You for working
through willing people like Ruth and
fulfil Your perfect plan in Your time.
Help us O Lord be willing players,
taking steady steps of faith & thus
lead lives of eternal significance.
Help us Lord to learn from Ruth,
Trusting You during Hard Times;
Trusting in Your Plan for our lives;
Trusting You by Waiting & Acting
In Faith when opportunity comes.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Wait Upon You and Act
In Faith when opportunity comes:
Naomi said to Ruth: Take a bath,
put on perfume and dress in your
nicest clothes. Then go to the
threshing floor, note where Boaz
lies down; uncover his feet & lie
down there… Around midnight
Boaz woke up and was surprised
to find a woman lying at his feet!
Who are u? he demanded I am
your servant Ruth, she replied.
Spread the corner of yr covering
over me for you are my family
redeemer. Boaz said: I will do
what is necessary for you are an
honourable woman (Ruth 3:3-11)
Lord, we note the advise of
an experienced person can be
invaluable & listening to them can
change our life. And exercising
faith sometimes bring us to the
point, where not acting at all is
worse than acting & risking.Amen.

Lord, we Trust You In Hard Times:
Then Boaz said: On the day you
buy the land from Naomi and Ruth,
you acquire the dead man’s widow
to maintain the name of the dead…
At this, the kinsman-redeemer said:
Then I cannot because I might
endanger my own estate. Buy it
yourself… Then Boaz announced
to the elders and all the people:
Today you’re witnesses that I bought
from Naomi and the property of
Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have
also acquired Ruth, Mahlon’s widow,
as my wife, in order to maintain
the name of the dead (Ruth 4:1-12).
Lord, we learn the story is never
over until it’s over. For what looks
hopeless can be turned around
when You God is at work. So we
trust in You in times of pain and
whenever facing challenges. Amen.

Lord, we will Trust In Your Plan:
Boaz married Ruth. When he
slept with her, the Lord enabled
her to become pregnant and she
gave birth to a son. The women
of the town said to Naomi: Praise
the Lord who has given u a family
redeemer! May this child care for
you in your old age. They named
him Obed. He became the father
of Jesse and the grandfather
of David (Ruth 4:13-17).
Lord, in Ruth we see You At Work
behind the scene orchestrating
events and working thro willing
people towards Your perfect plan.
Altho we cannot know the future,
but we can Trust God who does.
And we know all things will work
together for good according to
Your purpose (Rom 8:28) Amen.

Faithful God Inspires Faithfulness

Set in the context of unrest during
time of Judges & faced with famine,
Ruth a young widow, leaves her
native land to travel with her
mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of
Boaz, who grows to love her and
becomes her kinsman-redeemer.
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Jesus.
With twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
shows God’s love to mankind.

Lord, we see Your Faithfulness:
When she heard the Lord helping
his pple by providing food, Naomi
& her daughters-in-law set out to
Judah. Then Naomi said: Go back
to your mother’s home… But Ruth
clung to her: Don’t urge me to
leave you…Where you go I will go.
Your people will be my people &
your God my God (Ruth 1:6-16).
Boaz said to Ruth: Do not glean
in another field but stay close by…
She said Why have I found favour
in your eyes? Boaz answered;
it has been fully reported to me
all that you have done for your
mother-in-law since the death
of your husband. The Lord repay
your work and a full reward be
given you by the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings you
have come for refuge(Ru 2:8-12)

Lord, we see in the love story
that Ruth’s life was guided by
faithfulness toward God and
showed itself in loyalty towards
the people she knew. And through
the story we can also perceive
Your faithfulness to Your people.
Help us Lord be loyal & loving by
imitating Your faithfulness in our
relationships with others. Amen.

Lord, during difficult times,
in the current troubled world,
it is easy to be inward looking and
not to be faithful to one another.
We are inspired by the loyalty
of Ruth whose affirming words
greatly encouraged Naomi.
Lord, we need Your empowering
of courage so that we can be
so faithful to one another. Amen.

Lord, we see Your loving care and
protection over the lives of Naomi
and Ruth. For Your supreme control
over circumstances brings security.
For You guide the minds and action
of people to fulfill Your purpose;
like impressing Boaz of Ruth’s
loyalty that he gave her favour.
Grant us the faith that no matter
how tough our situation may be,
our hope is in God for Your power
and resources are infinite. Amen.

Be Weary of What Seemed Right

Thematically Judges 17-21 provide
a fitting conclusion to the book of
Judges. What happens to a nation
when “every man does that which
is right in his own eyes.” The grisly
details of gross idolatry (J17-18)
and gross immorality (J19-21) show
total disregard for the Word of God.
When at last Israel’s conscience is
pricked by a shocking letter to the
12 tribes, the response is brutality.

Lord, we note despite the efforts
of Israel’s Judges, the people still
would not turn wholeheartedly to U.
They all did whatever they thought
was best for themselves, resulting
in the spiritual, moral and political
decline of the nation. Lord we learn
our lives will likewise fall into decay
unless we live by Your guidelines.
Grant us grace Lord as we purpose
to only Worship You, to Inquire of U
and to Follow Your Direction. Amen.

Lord, we will only Worship You:
Micah had a shrine and made an
ephod and household idols; and
he consecrated one of his sons who
became his priest… Micah said to
him: Be a priest to me & I will give
you ten shekels of silver per year a
suit of clothes & your sustenance…
So Micah consecrated the Levite &
the young man became his priest.
Then Micah said: Now I know that
the Lord will be good to me since I
have a Levite as priest(Jdgs 17:5-13)
Lord, we will do what is right in
God’s eyes and not what seems
right within culture of society.
We purpose not to have idols but
instead worship You out of gratitude.
And we will seek Your kingdom and
righteousness, knowing that You
will bless us accordingly. Amen.

Lord, we will Directly Inquire of You:
He told them what Micah had done
for him and said: He has hired me
and I am his priest. Then they said
to him: Please inquire of God to
learn whether this journey will be
successful. The priest answered:
Go in peace. Your journey has
the Lord’s approval (Jdgs 18:4-6).
Lord, I purpose to turn to You for
all wisdom, direction and guidance.
Where I must seek advice from
another person, help me to know
when that person speaks from
godly knowledge and when this is
not the case. Help me to always test
the input of others with Your Word.
For I want You to be my ultimate
source for all knowledge. Amen.

Lord, we will Follow Your Direction:
The people said: why there shld be
one tribe missing in Israel(Jdg21:3)
The Israelite assembly sent a peace
delegation to remnant of Benjamin…
And 400 women of Jabesh-gilead
were given to them as wives. But
there were not enough women for
all of them (v13-14). So the men of
Benjamin… kidnapped the women
who took part in the celebration…
In those days Israel had no king,
so the people did whatever seemed
right in their own eyes (v23-25).
Lord, we note during time of Judges,
the people of Israel experienced
great trouble because everyone
became their own authority and
acted based on their own opinions.
Lord, we realise our standards and
convictions come from God’s Word.
Help us Lord to do what is right
in Your eyes and not ours. Amen.

God Loves to Do the Impossible

Gideon, Israel’s fifth judge, receives
God’s call while hiding in a wine-
press secretly threshing wheat.
Midian’s oppression is indeed
severe and Gideon is God’s man
to lead the people in throwing
off that yoke of bondage – a task
that Gideon is not keen to accept!
But once convinced of his calling
through two miraculous signs,
Gideon leads a humble army of 300
men, equipped only with torches
and trumpets, in a stunning victory
against the mighty Midianite forces.
Israel’s weapons and rather unusual
battle plan leave no room for doubt:
The victory is the Lord’s.

Lord, You Love Impossible Odds:
The Lord said to Gideon: You
have too many warriors with you.
If I let you fight the Midianites,
the Israelites will boast to me
that they saved themselves by
their own strength. Therefore,
tell the people: Whoever is timid
or afraid may leave and go home.
22,000 of them went home,
leaving only 10,000 who were
willing to fight (Jdgs 7:2-3).
But the Lord told Gideon:
There are still too many!
Bring them down to the spring
and I will sort out who will go
with you and who will not (v4).
Then the Lord said: By the 300 men
who lapped I will save you & deliver
the Midianites into your hand (v7).

Lord, when we face overwhelming
circumstances, it is a perfect
position for You God to intervene.
For it is in those times that we
like Gideon can learn to trust You.
Many times we have felt there was
no way out in the circumstance;
only to discover later that You Lord
was actually making a way for us.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, facing overwhelming odds
can be frightening as Gideon felt.
You God understood his fear but
didn’t excuse Gideon from his task.
Instead You led Gideon to slip into
the enemy camp and overhear a
chat that would give him courage.
You God indeed can give us the
strength we need for any situation.
Help us Lord to listen to You and
be ready to take the first step;
for after we begin to obey will we
find the courage to move on. Amen.

Lord, Your Word alone is sufficient
Promise of the ultimate victory.
We just need to simply trust You
and carry out Your instructions.
Thank You for being our warrior.
Thank You, when I am in a battle,
You’ll shine in midst of that battle.
Thank You for giving us victory
when it seems just impossible.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

The Lord of Peace Is With Us

Gideon, Israel’s fifth judge, receives
God’s call while hiding in winepress.
Midian’s oppression is indeed severe
and Gideon is God’s man to lead
the people in throwing off that
yoke of bondage – an assignment
Gideon is not keen to accept!
But once convinced of his calling
thru two miraculous signs, Gideon
leads a humble army of 300 men,
equipped only with pitches, torches
and trumpets, in a stunning victory
against the mighty Midianite forces!
Israel’s unconventional weapons and
unusual battle plan leave no room
for doubt: The victory is the Lord’s!

Lord, we Claim Your Presence:
When the angel of the LORD
appeared to Gideon, he said: The
LORD Is With you, mighty warrior.
But sir, Gideon replied, if the LORD
is with us,why has all this happened
to us? Where are all his wonders
that our fathers told us?… But now
the LORD has abandoned us and
put us into the hands of Midian.
The LORD turned to him and said:
Go in the Strength you Have and
Save Israel out of Midian’s hand.
Am I not sending you?… I Will Be
With you, and you will strike down
all the Midianites (Jdgs 6:12-16).
Then the angel of the Lord touched
the meat and bread with the staff,
and fire flamed up from the rock
and consumed all he had brought.
Gideon then said: Sovereign Lord,
I have seen the angel of the Lord
face to face! Then the Lord said:
Peace be with you; do not fear…
So, Gideon built an altar there to the
Lord and named it The Lord Is Peace
Jehovah Shalom (Jdgs 6:21-24).

Lord, Gideon was well aware of
his own inadequacy. But when he
told the Lord that he wasn’t up
to the job, the angel didn’t try to
assure Gideon he was adequate.
Instead of pumping up Gideon’s
self confidence, he infused Gideon
with the confidence from God.
Lord, we agree that You are with
us and that victory does not lie in
our own adequacy or abilities, but
in Your presence & power. Amen.

Lord, our perceptions tend not
to judge You well as it should.
Like Gideon, we tend to focus
on what God hadn’t done; that
He hadn’t delivered His people yet.
We note Your reply to Gideon:
to go with the strength he has.
Lord, thank You for all that You
have done; and help me now
focus only on what You have
said You will do. Amen and amen.

Lord Jehovah Shalom, I speak
shalom into my body and health.
I speak shalom into my mind,
my thoughts and my heart.
Let there be shalom in my plans,
in my future and in my relationships.
Lord, reveal to me the choices
I need to make to enter into an
even greater level of Your Peace.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Compromises Result In Failure

By faithfully obeying the Lord,
Joshua led the Israelites to military
victory. After his death, the tribes
failed to clear the inhabitants from
the land, so the Lord withdrew His
promise to help drive people out
and bless the Israelites in battle.
The new generation abandoned
God and worshiped idols.

Lord, we learnt from the early part
of Judges that the Israelites had
compromised Your command to
drive out the inhabitants of the land
And incomplete removal of evil
often means disaster in the end.
We learnt that we must beware
compromising with wickedness.
Help us Lord even as we purpose
Not Compromise in Trusting You;
Not Compromise in Knowing You &
Not Compromise in Obeying You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we will Trust & Obey You:
The Lord was with Judah and they
took possession of the hill country.
But they failed to drive out the
people living in the plains because
the people there had iron chariots.
Hebron was given to Caleb and he
drove out the people living there,
who were descendants of Anak.
But the tribe of Benjamin failed
to drive out the Jebusites living
in Jerusalem. The tribe of Ephraim
also failed to drive out Canaanites
living in Gezer (Jdgs 1:19-29).
Lord, we note Judah failed to drive
out the people in the plain because
their courage and faith failed when
they saw the iron chariots. Help
us fully trust and obey you; not
to compromise but instead follow
thro to complete the job. Amen.

Lord, we will Get to Know You:
Now Joshua, the servant of the
Lord died. Another generation
arise who did not know the Lord
nor the work which He had done
for Israel. Then the children of
Israel did evil & served the Baals.
And the Lord delivered them to
plunderers…Nevertheless the Lord
raised up judges who delivered
them. But when the judge is
dead, they reverted and behaved
more corruptly (Jdgs 2:8-19).
Lord, we don’t want to fall away
in laziness, temptation and sin.
Help us not to neglect spending
regular time with You each day.
Help us to Know You better and
become more & more like You.
And let us experience You. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Obey Your Commands:
These people were left to test the
Israelites – to see whether they
would obey the commands the
Lord had given… So Israel lived
among the Canaanites, Hittites,
Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and
Jebusites, and they intermarried
with them…. And the Israelites
worshiped their gods (Jdgs3:4-6)
Lord, You allowed pagans in the
land to test your people whether
they will obey your commands.
We will not bond with heathens
and we will advise our children to
heed Your warning that marriage
between believers & unbelievers
create countless problems. Amen.

The Living God Is In Control

The Jews are poised within view of
the land promised to their ancestors
& denied their unbelieving parents.
The task seems impossible:
a turbulent river; rough terrain to
cross and walled cities to conquer.
So God begins to prepare His people
for the days of warfare just ahead.
He reminds Joshua that careful
attention to His Word brings
blessing and success. Spies are
sent to survey Jericho, the first
obstacle in the land. The priests
bearing the ark of covenant lead the
pple across the rampaging Jordan.

Praise be Supreme God In Control:
Rahab: We have heard how the
Lord made a dry path for you
through the Red Sea. And we
know what you did to the two
Amorite kings east of the Jordan
River, whose people you completely
destroyed… For the Lord your God is
supreme God in heaven(Jos 2:10-11)
So Joshua said to the children of
Israel: This is how you will know
that the Living God… is among you
and that He will certainly drive out
the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites…
Amorites and the Jebusites.
Behold, the ark of the covenant
of the Lord is crossing before
you into the Jordan (Jos 3:10-11).
As soon as the priests who carry
the ark of the Lord, the Lord of
All The Earth set foot in the Jordan,
its waters flowing downstream
will be cut off and stand up
in a heap (Joshua 3:13).

Lord God Almighty, You sit
on the throne in heaven above.
You are truly ruler over all; and
Power and might are in Your hand.
You God alone can go before us
to open doors we could not open
on our own, and lead in a path we
could not have created on our own.
Be gracious Lord towards us as we
lift up our eyes & look to You. Amen

O Living God, we praise You
for Your powerful life-giving name.
Thank You for being active and
engaged in our everyday life.
You are not a God who is distant
and not keen in what happens to us.
Just as You helped the Israelites,
You Lord are alive and moving in
the situations of our lives as well.
Grateful for Your loving care. Amen

Lord of All The Earth, we praise
& exalt You Lord for Your ability to
subdue all that’s in Your creation.
You are the great and awesome
God who still does mighty
acts on behalf of Your people.
It is so comforting to know that
nothing is too difficult for You or
removed from Your control. And
in You we can find peace. Amen.

Hearing God thru His Word

The purpose of the book of Joshua
is to give the history of Israel’s
conquest of the promised land.
The first half of the book (chap 1-12)
recounts three military campaigns
spanning seven years, in which
Joshua meets and defeats
more than 30 enemy armies.
The second half (chapters 13-24)
relates the settlement of Canaan,
the fulfillment of God’s age-old
promise to Abraham.

On Monday, we learn from Josh 1
to Be Strong and Courageous.
On Tuesday, we learn fr Josh 2/3
that the Living God Is In Control.
On Wed, we learn from Josh 4
to Remember God’s Deeds.
On Thu, we learn from Joshua 6
that Obeying God Brings Success.
On Friday, we learn from Josh 13/21
that God Keeps His Promises.
On Sat, we learn from Joshua 24
that God Is For & Backs His People.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Hear You:
For You as Living God Is In Control
& we will Remember Your Deeds;
For You Urge us to be Courageous
and Obeying You Brings Success;
For You God Keep Your Promises
and that You’ll Back Your People.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God For & Backs His People

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognise the Jordan River
(which forms a natural barrier
between the tribes) may one day
form a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address where he gives the people
an ultimatum. Choose You this day
whom you will serve… as for me and
my house, we will serve the Lord.

Lord, we’ll choose to Serve You:
And Joshua said to all the people:
Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
…I took your father Abraham
from the other side of the River,
led him thru Canaan & multiplied
his descendants (Joshua 24:2-3).
And I brought you into the land of
the Amorites on the other side of
Jordan, and they fought with you.
But I gave them into your hands, that
you might possessed their land (v8).
(Joshua said): So honour the Lord
and serve Him wholeheartedly.
Put away forever the idols
your ancestors worshipped…
Serve the Lord alone. But if you
are unwilling to serve the Lord,
then choose today whom you
will serve…But As For Me and
my family, we will serve the Lord.
The people replied: We would
never forsake the Lord & worship
other gods (Joshua 24:14-16).

Lord, we remember the times that
You guided, helped and backed us.
Just as Joshua pointed the way
to You God, each of us also has
the same opportunity to do so.
Thank You Lord for allowing us
to join You at work at various
ministries, including small groups.
Pray that those who look to us
for leadership will be drawn to You.
Lead them to choose to serve You
Lord only and no other. Amen.

Holy Lord, thank You for allowing
us into Your presence thru Christ.
You dwell in holy place, yet You
also dwell with those who are
contrite and of a humble heart.
Make my heart like Yours even as
I strive to be more reflective of You.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Enable me Lord to live humbly
and purpose to serve You. Amen.

Lord, let me not be useless, but
purpose to be Your faithful servant.
I hand over to Your care Lord my
prayers & yet to be fulfilled hopes.
I give my mind for You to think in me;
& I give my eyes to see as You see.
I give my tongue to speak Yr words;
and I give my hands to do Your work.
Above all I give You my heart that
You Lord will love thru me. Amen.