Psalm 116:16. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
Oh Friends, wasn’t it just the other day we celebrated New Years, the Western world version? So how come it’s already the middle of April eh? This year of 2012 is certainly moving along at breakneck speed, and with lots of mostly bad worldwide happenings too. Remember our resolutions at the start of the year? Rededicating ourselves to Christ; finding a new passion, a new zeal, a new longing for Him? So how are we doing on that now eh? Please check on it to see if we’re on target or backsliding. Has that flame been rekindled in our hearts and lives, are we walking along Christ’s path with a new flare, a new passion? I certainly hope so, because a quarter of the year’s already gone, which means we have to seriously buckle down and improve our LOVE-Walk, for that’s what truly living for Christ entails. That brings us to our Bit: ‘O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.’ Oh my people, can we sincerely make those claims? I can definitely make one: ‘the son of thine handmaid.’ Yes, I am the son of a mother who faithfully worshipped the Lord, as are many of you readers. But unfortunately that’s not of much help unless some of that faithful worship of our parents got transferred into our own lives. Christ does acknowledge faithful family members, but His main goal is working in each individual, despite their family background. Relationship with God is a very personal thing, so until we can say individually, with much surety, like the psalmist, ‘O Lord, truly I am thy servant,’ the faithfulness of our parents doesn’t mean all that much. It will cause the Lord to look down on us with some favour, but it certainly won’t allow us to pass go and freely enter the halls of heaven. (smile) Friends, our destiny with heaven depends on our individual beliefs and subsequent behaviour. The author of Psalm 119 pleaded thus with the Lord: ‘Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy (LOVING- kindness), and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding; that I may know thy testimonies.’ (Ps.119:124-125) Yes fellow believers, until we humble ourselves, come down to a servant-like status, like Jesus did, we can’t effectively learn or disseminate God’s laws, for being a part of the Lord’s army entails much humility, much humbleness of mind, body and soul. Without it we can never be good ministers of His Word, good ambassadors of His lifestyle. That’s why Bruh David in Psalm 143, entreated the Lord: ‘Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken (revive) me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off (put an end to) mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.’ (Ps.143:10-12) Ah Friends, living for the Lord God Jehovah is not easy, but if we’re serious, and truly turn to Him in trust, hope, faith and surrender, He will guide us through every situation and bring us out stronger and more faithful. In Romans 8:28, He’s promised that all things will work together for good to those who LOVE and serve Him, and also that we’re more than conquerors (Rom.8:37) And I can personally testify to both those promises, for if I wasn’t working under His protective banner, I would be out wandering aimlessly, like the Israelites, in some wilderness now. But because of my trying to be a God-faithful servant, I am living a life of prosperity. Now that doesn’t mean that my life is problem free, not by a long shot! In fact when you walk with God, you probably encounter more problems, as He tests you, raises the level of your faith and makes you more like Jesus. But throughout all the difficulties you’ll definitely have peace of mind and a deep trust that whatever happens, it will all work out for your good in the end, because the Lord has faithfully promised it. Unfortunately, you don’t learn or appreciate these things until you actually go through the fire and experience them. That’s why faith is such a big thing in our belief system. Now here’s an appropriate ending, which encompasses all we’ve spoken about. It’s from Psalm 86; Teach me thy way, O Lord. Bruh David is solemnly declaring: ‘But thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token (sign) for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast helped me, and comforted me.’ (Ps.86:15-17) Without a doubt Friends, when we turn to the Lord in all sincerity, He will help and comfort us. Never forget that! Much LOVE!…to serve the Lord…in honesty and truth…is thy servant’s greatest desire…
SCRIP-BITS 