DCLM Daily Manna December 21, 2016 by Pastor Kumuyi – Resting On God's Promises

Topic: Resting On God's Promises [December 21, 2016]

Text: Psalm 86:11-17

Key Verse: "O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid" (Psalm 86:16).

A former pilot with the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom once stunned newspaper readers when he asserted that he would prefer to fly with a pilot who had survived an air crash to the one who had not managed an accident before. His reason? The air crash escapee is better equipped to avoid another one or handle it if it crashes again, whereas the one who hadn't, would jeopardize the lives of passengers. The conclusion: God's enduring blessing and teaching come through troubles and challenges.

This truth was proved many times over in the chequered life of David. In his psalms, we have a peep into the magnitude of some of his challenges as he reflected on them and sought supernatural help. The troubles that God allowed in his life drew him closer to heaven. That was not all. His life-threatening moments with his enemies led him to inspiring psalms that God has used over centuries to comfort believers and sinners alike. In verse 14, David is overwhelmed by "assemblies of violent men". These are godless men who want to take his life.

They do not believe in the sanctity of life, even when the Lord has preserved their own lives. In the midst of such cruel people, David was not helpless. He was aware of the sovereign power capable of suppressing all other powers. He knows this power, manifesting as Jehovah God, does not shun those who come to Him in sincerity in their time of need. He does not run to man for help. Today's world is also full of trouble which God uses to draw us closer to Him as our Lord Jesus Christ used the oasis of a frightening storm to perform the miracle of making a man to walk on water. There are always miracles bursting at the seams of challenges or troubles. All we need do is to remain calm and have faith in God, and expect "a token for good" to shame the enemy and glorify the Lord.

Thought for the day: Victory is sweet after a hard-won battle fought by God for the believer.

Bible Reading in one Year: Zechariah 10-14