29/08/2017
KAIROS TUESDAYS WITH VINCENT BANNERMAN
BLESS GOD AND LIVE
Job 2:9-10, Ps 34:1
I still remember this story as if happened today. When our High School results were released, a very good friend of mine and I didn't get the grades we needed to pursue our preferred courses at the University.
This friend of mine who I can say had been more diligent with his studies and relationship with God throughout our 3 years in High School than me was devastated by the results that he made an unfortunate confession when we decided to rewrite some of our papers. He said that should he not get his desired results this time around, he will tear his clothes, pour ashes on himself and deny his faith in God.
Sadly, he didn't get the needed grades the 2nd time too and to my amazement, this friend of mine became a completely different person to the extent that all efforts of friends and family to get him back on track yielded no positive results.
In Job chapters 1 & 2, we found out that a similar advice was given to Job by his wife after he had lost everything he owed. His wife told him to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). But Job responded that his wife was speaking foolishly. He rather said in Job 13:15 that even if God slays him, he will still trust Him because he knows that his Redeemer lives(Job 19:25).
At the end of the book of Job, we saw how God restored everything he had lost because he chose to "bless God and live" than to "curse God and die".
Lesson: *Whenever we find ourselves in negative situations we must guard our hearts so that we don't loose our faith in God and sin with our lips.*
Unlike my friend , I said to myself that no matter the outcome of my results, I will still love God. I knew I had to take responsibility for my life rather than put the blame on God. Whenever I look back, I am always happy that I stayed home an extra year before going to the University because in the end, all things worked together for my good when I chose to bless God than to curse Him.
You might be facing one of your worst disappointments in life as you read this article.
It might be the collapse of your marriage, business, or the loss of a loved one. I know sometimes such situations are hard for us to accept when we believe that we had put in all our efforts; but I admonish you to choose to "bless God and live than to curse Him and die."
*When we learn to thank God regardless of the negative circumstances we face in life, we receive strength to persevere and come out victorious.*
*Murmuring and cursing blinds us from seeing the positives out of our negative situations and also makes us bitter even against the people who could have been of help to us.*
Bless God and live because the job that you have lost can be exactly what you need to discover the idea that will make you a business mogul.
Stars shine brighter in darkness.
I see everything turning around for your good.
I pray for us in the mighty name of Jesus that we will not loose our praise in difficult times.
