Short Reflection: Traveling Mercies

Now in the book of Ezra, Ezra led a batch of returning Israelites to Jerusalem. Reading from previous chapter, I learned that Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Therefore, he was going back to fulfill his mission.

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.
Ezra 8:21‭-‬23 ESV

Ezra’s faith and dependence on the Lord is so admirable. It reinforces my habit to always humble myself in prayer to ask the Lord to protect me, my companions, and the people I encounter whenever I go somewhere. Sometimes, no matter how we look after ourselves we cannot really ensure our safety, only the Lord who holds everything in His hands can grant us that. Moreover, we know that the Lord is pleased to grant us traveling mercy as we seek Him.

Indeed, reading the Bible is such a blessing! It is amazing how the old stories from the Bible helps and inspires us live a God-centered life this modern times.

Soli Deo Gloria!

-Rhia

Asa’s Prayer

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, ” Lord , there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord , You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”
2 Chronicles 14:11 NASB

I love this prayer! One thing I learned about the benefits of reading the Bible is we get to know how God’s people pray to Him. Sometimes, we struggle what to pray for but reading about prayers in the Bible allows us to become better and comfortable in this spiritual discipline.

Thank You Lord for the Scriptures and for teaching us prayers that honor and glorify You!

Soli Deo Gloria!

-Rhia

Short Reflection: God’s Promise

If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:13‭-‬14 NASB

God punishes people. Harsh as it may sound, God causes bad things to accomplish His plan. However, we need to understand that He does this to sift those who will humble themselves to repentance and call only on Him for salvation from those who does not want anything to do with Him. If we call on Him, the Lord is faithful in His promise to forgive our sins. And as He restores us, He will also heal the very land we are in. Truly, the hope of a nation depends solely on God thru the believers who are genuinely transformed all for God’s glory!

Soli Deo Gloria!

-Rhia

Solomon’s Benediction, My Prayer

And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying, “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the Lord , be near to the Lord our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”
1 Kings 8:55‭-‬61 ESV

As I read my Bible this morning, this passage Solomon’s Benediction, made an impression on me. However, I find it difficult to put into words my reflection on this. I feel that the text is too good to make coherent thoughts for a journal. Then it hit me, this is the kind of verses that I can pray. Solomon’s Benediction, teaches us specific things which we can appreciate God for and should ask Him for.

I admit that sometimes I do not know what to say in my prayers. I struggle with repeating the same phrases every prayer that often I feel it becomes a routine or a script. I do not know if it just me, but for me phrases used often have a tendency to lose its meaning, atleast to me.

With today’s reading the Bible, I thank the Lord for reminding me that I can use His Word to learn in my prayer life.

Soli Deo Gloria!

-Rhia

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Dear Father God in Heaven,

Blessed are You Lord for You are the Lord who gives rest to His people, we can always rest in Your presence. Thank You Lord for You are a promise keeper, none of Your word fails since the ancient times up to my days, that’s why I can always hold on to Your promises. May You Lord be with me today as with Your faithful servants which You did not leave nor forsake. Lord, You hold my heart in Your hand, may You touch it that it will always walk in Your ways and keep Your commandments with obedience. I know Lord You have a purpose for me, empower me Lord for the purpose for which I am called. Help me that my life can be a testimony that there is a God like You who is sovereign. You alone deserve all the glory, honor and praise.

I pray these in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.