Voice of The Youths Sunday – October 2021
Deacon Arlene Burton presents the prayer “Voice of The Youths – 3rd Sunday, October 2021”. Deacon Burton owns the copyright to this post. We reprint here with her permission.
Hi Everyone, we hope you are well. However, if not, please let us know by sending us your prayer requests.
It is the third weekend of the month. The Lord wants us to give enough space for the voice of our youths, especially during these times of confusion and hopelessness. This can provide an avenue for encouragement, learning and healing. Today’s encouragement and prayer were done by Nackeemi Smith. Nackeemi is a first-year university student and the treasurer for Grace Youth Ministries (GYM).
INDEED, WE ARE BLESSED.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
The above extract is a familiar Bible verse that many of us would have previously come across. It is quotes like those we often use to declare that God is a great God who loves us unconditionally and whose attributes are without reproach. Yet, when we are tried, tested, and the storm is before us, often, our faith dwindles, and we begin to worry and question whether or not we are blessed.
Temptation is one issue that is common to all. Sure, 1 Corinthians 10 verse 13 helps us to understand that when we have been tempted it is nothing unique to humankind. No temptation will be more than what we can bear because our God is faithful. He will provide a way out for us when we are amid adversities that lure us into certain situations. Nevertheless, when the temptation arises, we feel as if the world is on our shoulders; we feel alone, almost as if everything depends on us.
When things don’t go as intended, or we make a wrong choice that leads to a rather dire consequence, we try everything our minds can think of to alleviate the pressure. We scurry trying to conjure up a solution. When the door is shut, we feel defeated, neglected, disappointed, angry and sometimes beat up ourselves. We do everything else except bringing the matter to Christ’s attention. We soon start thinking of all the bad things that may arise from the situation and dwell on them. Praying is often the last resort, for both Christians and non-Christians.
What should we do when the going gets tough? Do we kneel, do a little prayer and hope for the best? Do we go to church the following Sunday and offer a heavy offering in hope that God will see it and save us from the trial? Or, do we sit back, relax, do nothing, and hope that God will do His thing?
First, we must understand that there is no free pass from trials after accepting the Lord and acknowledging ourselves as His children. Trials, temptations and difficulties are all a part of God’s necessary work for us. The ultimate consequence of these experiences is that God’s strength and magnificence are shown through our faith and testimony. Moreover, these tests prepare us for our duty as stewards; they drive us to rely on Him and are, without a doubt, for our discipline. Although we may not like them, they are necessary as we learn through experiences.
We often hear of the Bible being regarded as a manual, and in a sense, it is. Like every good manual, it gives us clear directives about functioning, even under pressure. 1 Peter 5: 10 (NIV) reads, “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.“
Romans 12:12 (NIV) reads, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” James 1: 12 (NIV) reads, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.“
The Bible, our manual, instructs and encourages us to remain steadfast in God when we are under trials. This means that we should remain firm, we should not be moved because the Lord has promised that (1) He will not give us more than we can carry, (2) He is forever with us, and (3) He has already provided us with a way out. We must not allow things of this world to move our faith from the assurance and promise God has given to us. His words are always good, and He always comes through for us, even if we do not see it now, He never abandons his children, nor does He turn back on a promise.
You may have read that Moses did not make it to the promised land. However, God promised that He would take care of his people. God provided for them, and even though it took forty (40) years, the Lord God kept His promise (Deuteronomy 1:37-40). While they were in the desert, God gave them miraculous provisions, manna from heaven for food and water from a rock – God takes care of his own like a mother takes care of her own.
Do not allow the issues that surround you to shake your faith. Surely this does not permit us to be lackadaisical. We ought to do whatever we can to help the situation; faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Nevertheless, we cannot do everything ourselves, for we are only mortals. We have a God for a reason. He is sovereign above all, He conquers all, and even when there is a mountain before us, He will move it. He will be our strength, rock and shield once we have faith and trust that He will come through.
The song writer’s proclamation can be ours. “Jehovah Jireh, my provider; His grace is sufficient for me. My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory; He will give His angels charge over me; Jehovah Jireh cares for me.“
God’s outlook is aeons vast! He is the great “I AM”, the God who continues to exist from generation to generation. He knows everything that has ever happened and will ever happen. God came to us as and still is “… Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ( Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
In truth, we do not know everything and can never be equated to God. We can think of His work in Lazarus’ scenario as an example. Jesus had the capacity and authority to heal him instantaneously. He just had to say the word, and Lazarus would have been made whole, but he didn’t. At that moment, Jesus tested the faith of those who, after His death, would carry His gospel to the rest of the world. Understanding Jesus could heal was one thing, raising a 4-day old corpse was quite another (John 11:38-44).
God’s plan is always good, and we need to understand that when it feels like our world is falling apart. We need to shut down that thought and have faith that our world is falling into place. This is something that I am learning so much as I face the trials and temptations that have come into my life. Recently, I had a situation where I made a poor choice that was about to cost me what I do not possess. It was discombobulating, to say the least. I struggled with what to do.
I explored my options but nothing seemed to help until finally a really good piece of advice came along and I took it, and it worked in a way that turned around my disposition to one of peace and laughter but I still had a small issue to clear. Nonetheless, it was manageable. It was God all the way. Can I tell you? He was not finished with the situation nor reminding me of His faithfulness. The small situation was reduced to almost nothing. One of my advisors asked if I had gotten off my knees as yet. I did give a loud shout out to God when I got the good news, I am so thankful to God.
I am learning more and more that however hopeless the situation may seem, never forget that God will see us through it because only He has the ultimate judgment. We often place ‘full stops’ in our life when God, our provider, healer, master, shepherd, banner and Lord, has used ‘commas’. For me, once an adverse event occurs, I would usually tend to believe that everything is over, whether it’s from a personal or professional standpoint. Irrespective of my situation, God has a plan for us, a good plan. God puts a comma in those places where things seem awful because it’s not over until He says it’s over and all things are working together for our Good. We are blessed. Amen!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we call You Great, Awesome and Powerful. You are above all else and You are in control at all times. We thank You for Your love, Your grace and mercy in our lives.
We come in the name of Jesus Christ asking that You cleanse us from all unrighteousness and forgive all of our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
Since the fall of man, we have faced many difficulties, afflictions, and adversities in this blessed life that You have gifted us, Heavenly Father. Nevertheless, we thank You, Lord, for placing these hurdles in our way so that we may benefit from them and grow.
Lord, You are more connected with us than we are with ourselves. When confronted with trouble, we often place the strain on our shoulders, and we tend to panic and obsess about how we will get out of the situation by ourselves.
Remind us when we are feeling lonesome that You have vowed to always be there for us. Guide us to place our faith in You and recognise that You will be there to rescue us when we need You most.
As Daniel trusted You when he was placed in the lion’s den, please help us to have faith like him. Please help our doubts so that we can rest our faith in You and Your sense of time, as You alone are the Almighty. Don’t let Your plans, intentions, and objectives for our lives cause us to think that You are dependent on anything we can give, for we are wholly dependent on You, God!
Father God, help us identify where You have intervened in our lives so that we may share this treasure and our testimonies with as many people as possible so that they, too, can see Your grace in our lives. Please accept our sincere gratitude for being our Father, for never abandoning us, and for always looking out for our best interests.
We pray that You will continue to bless us as we learn and mature in Your word and our experiences; In Your beautiful name, we pray with thanksgiving.
Amen.
Our Prayers of Encouragement are for everyone. Therefore, if you also need prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.
