FAITH CAPSULE: Trusting God is resting in the face of challenge.

2 Samuel 5:17-25, Daniel 6

It is written, “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.’” (2 Samuel 5:17-19)
As strong as David was, by the grace of God upon his life, he did not act against the Philistines without seeking God. Seeking God in the face of challenge is an evidence of trust in God. Trusting God is resting in the face of challenge. David’s enemies were not at rest when they went searching for David. Resting on the Lord is waiting on Him by inquiring from Him on a regular basis.
David, having known to trust and rest on the word of God, went and engaged his enemies in battle. The Bible documents it, “So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, ‘The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.’ Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.” (2 Samuel 5:20) God backing up His word for David was the breaking power over David’s enemy at Baal Perazim.
Trusting God is giving God His due attention. Giving God attention will always provoke the hand of God to favor those who give Him attention. A man that spends time in the presence of God before engaging daily agenda is one that knows to trust and rest in the Lord. God is a jealous God and the antidote for jealousy is giving attention to Him. To establish a custom way of approaching God will make up giving God a consistent attention. As a believer, there is a need to desire the grace to be constant and consistent inquiring from the Lord.
Just like David, Daniel’s victory over the plot to terminate him for not worshiping a false God was a result of his established custom. Daniel 6:10 identifies Daniel’s custom, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel trusted God and maintained his rest in God despite his challenge. Daniel overcame and was victorious.

Prayer for today:  Ask God for your deliverance and preservation in every area of life.

FAITH CAPSULE: One in charge shall give His angels charge over those who trust in Him.

Psalm 91

Trusting God is taking your steps through God because you know His name. Psalm 9:10 buttress, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” The name of God is power to deliver and to preserve. His name is trust worthy to instruct, lead and guide. The Psalmist buttress, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Psalm 18:10) Are you running anywhere or looking outside of the name of God for your help?
The Psalmist confessed in confidence, “I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2) Only the ones who know to trust the Lord will testify having edge over challenges. In this world of challenges the only place of refuge and fortress is none other than the name of our Lord God. Refuge is a shelter or protection from danger. Fortress means any place of exceptional security. His name is indeed trust worthy. The Psalmist made statement of confession and confidence which can only be declared for no other god but the One and the only King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Psalmist was so sure of his trust in the name of God stating, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11) For any believer that has come to the understanding of the name of God as a place of refuge and fortress, nothing works better than continuous engagement by meditating: “Lord give your angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways” Where there is security, safe arrival at every expected end of journey certain.
It does not matter how troubled a journey is, “He shall give His angels charge over those who trust in Him.”  Peter was marked and set for death in the hand of King Herod. While he was in the prison bound in chains for his time of execution, “… an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”” (Acts 12:7-8) An angel was charged to keep Peter away from the death trap of King Herod. The same God who answered for Peter is the same God today. Trust in Him with the whole heart, He will not fail you.

Prayer for today: Ask the Lord God to help by making you to trust in Him all the days of your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: Is your desire constantly right or wrong before God?

2 KINGS 5

Without doubt, a nurtured wrong desire is a direct avenue to destruction. Gehazi the servant of Elisha nurtured greed and went after Naaman the commander of the army of the King of Syria. Gehazi could not excuse himself from letting Naaman go away with his entire gift which Elisha refused to accept after commanding him to his healing from leprosy. When Gehazi returned for collecting gifts, Elisha responded to Gehazi’s corrupted desire by speaking to Gehazi, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.” (2 Kings 5:26-27) A destructive desire terminated the destiny of Gehazi.
Elisha asked him if it was time to receive money and other material goods from Naaman. In your serving others by the grace of God, is it time to receive money or material goods? Clearly there is time for everything. In your service by His grace, pay attention to God’s timing and not misplace your priority by engaging a destructive desire. Gehazi could have desired for triple anointing from his master Elisha, just as Elisha desired for double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Desiring for all that enables man to grow in the business of the kingdom of God is seeking God with all heart. It is written, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Whatever you desire, God will deposit it in your life. Do you know what your desire is? Is your desire constantly right or wrong before God? Whatever man does not know will not work for man. Know it this day that covetousness and evil desire is wrong before God and they cannot be separated. God gave His command in Deuteronomy 5:20-22, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
King David’s son; Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.” (2 Samuel 13:2) Any desire that is causing man to be in a distressful situation is not of God. Ammon sought direction from Jonadab whom the bible described as a crafty man. Jonadab counseled Ammon and Ammon accomplished his desire over his sister Tamar. To Ammon, it was a life terminating desire. Be mindful of God’s command and His presence shall occupy you.

Prayer for today: Ask God to create in you a clean heart and a steadfast spirit within you.

FAITH CAPSULE: God cannot fail and He will not fail.

2 Samuel 22

After David was delivered from all his enemies and King Saul, he praised the Lord by stating, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust…” (2 Samuel 22:2-3) He did not stop pointing out that God alone is trust worthy as he went further speaking about trusting God in 2Samuel 22:31, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” God does not need to prove His worthiness to us but it is clear that He is perfect to perform and He is a shield to all who trust and know to run to Him. Trusting God is faith and it is also an avenue of giving a jealous God His due attention. Trusting God is not just by the word of mouth. God sees us through our heart and trusting Him demands trusting with the whole heart. Proverbs 3:5 made a declaration, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” The only thing God cannot do is to violate His proven word. It is impossible to trust Him with the whole heart and be leaning on any other source for direction. God is a caring and loving God. God does not fail, God cannot fail and He will not fail.
God was speaking against Moab in the book of Jeremiah 48:7, “For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken. And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity.” (Chemosh: The chief deity of Moab.) God’s pronouncement against Moab demands all of His creation’s attention and sincere meditation that all be enabled to observe how to place trust in Him, who and what we place our trust on. The word of God to Moab, demonstrates that God should be constantly and consistently acknowledged with thanks and praise for all that He has done, all that He is doing and all which He will do for those who trust Him. Are you one who places trust in self-effort as strength?
It is clear that the people of Moab could have resolved to self-sufficiency whereby looking to their work and treasure as a measure of self-effort. A dangerous way to captivity is to assume self-effort as strength and source of blessing. God alone is our source. God wants to be glorified and to be exalted for every blessing that comes our way. Turn to God in trust and give Him all the glory and honor which belongs to Him.

Prayer for today: In your asking this day, only lift up your hands in thanks giving and give praise to the name of the Lord for all which He has done.

FAITH CAPSULE: The word of God is secret to those who failed to take to it.

Psalm 64

There is no language under heaven that is beyond God’s understanding. With all the numerous ways that we have to communicate, there is none that surpasses God’s understanding. God hears and sees all that goes on back and forth among all of His creation. Psalmist states, “He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”(Psalm 94:9-10) It does not matter how we call on God, the truth is He hears us whenever we call. You can communicate in your thoughts, you can speak loud or chose to meditate, God will hear you. Of all several means of communicating with God, meditation is one that demands more and delivers more. God did not hide the secret of meditation when He approached Joshua after the death of Moses. Joshua 1:8-9, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Three times in the book of Joshua chapter one, God laid emphasis to Joshua the importance of meditation. It is the secret to having a good success in the journey of life. Psalm 1:3 could not lay aside the importance of meditation as the way of God’s blessings. Meditation is not a one hour a day sacrifice it is an all day and ongoing sacrifice. Evidently, the one that meditates will undoubtedly intimidate his world by virtue of God’s blessing in one’s life. Meditation is power to be preserved from enemy, power to overcome plots of the wicked or the rebellion of the workers of iniquity. Psalm 64:1-2, “Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity.” As a believer of the word of God, why not consider and take with serious urgency the need for constant and consistent meditation as a part of your life? The word of God is secret to those that failed to take to it. To the ones who choose to dwell in the secret place of the most high, spending time studying and abiding in the word of God as it is written is an undeniable power that manifests.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to be meditating the word of God day and night.