14^th December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: TAKE IT TO THE LORD

THEME SCRIPTURE: "O people who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you." Isaiah 30:19 AMPC

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. When you are overwhelmed in life, what do you do?

The elders of Israel showed up in Ramah with one request. They wanted a king to judge them. All this while, God had been raising judges to guide His people. So, by their request, Israel was saying that God's provision was not enough. Since the days when God raised prophets, shepherds, and judges to lead His people, no generation had ever requested a king. Hence, their request displeased the prophet Samuel. What should Samuel do?

I don't know whether you have ever come to a point in life where you were confronted with issues so daunting, or challenges you had no idea how to tackle them. Or ever come to a point in life where you realized that retreating seemed cowardly, halting seemed disastrous, and yet it was impossible to go forward.

This is the place Samuel found himself, and he did one thing—he took the one wise step of laying the whole matter before God. "...And Samuel prayed to the Lord" (1 Sam 8:6).

Beloved, when your heart is overwhelmed, take it to the Lord. When the clouds are thick and the lights are low, and the challenge seems formidable, take it to the Lord. When the storms are strong and you seem not to know what to do, hey, take it to the Lord. When you are hemmed in by difficulties, don't panic. Take it to the Lord. When your spouse is out of control or your child's character has gotten out of hand, take it to the Lord. When men rise up and breathe out cruelty against you, please take it to the Lord. It does not matter how big or small the issue is, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Precious one, take it to God and roll back all your troubles on Him, and Jesus, who has identified Himself with our humanity though being God, will make His grace available unto you.

"For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]" (Heb 2:18).

 Tell it all before Him and see His grace flow towards you. Though your heart may be too broken for utterance, yet "...He will be gracious to you at the voice of your cry" (Isa 30:19).

Take it to God and our Lord and Savior Jesus will be there to intercede for you. "For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning" (Heb 4:15). Take it to the Lord.

O people who dwell in Zion, you will weep no more because His grace will be sufficient for you. When He hears your cry, O precious one, He will answer you as God answered Samuel (1 Sam 8:7). If you also take it to the Lord in prayer, you will come back with a testimony. Stop worrying because it is not a wise step. As Hannah went to Shiloh to take from Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could think or imagine, rise up and take your matter to the Lord. You will also go home with the help of God.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 8:1-10

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. When you are confronted with a tough decision, who do you turn to?

PRAYER

My Father, you are able to do all things. Today, I turn to you with all the challenges I am unable to surmount. I roll them all unto you, Lord. I receive your help this day, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 16,  Job 17,  Habakkuk 3, 2 Peter 1, 2 Peter 2