Day 9: Standing with Widows, Elderly, and Orphans

“ “22 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. 24 My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.”

”

— Exodus 22:22-24

God has issued a command “You must not mistreat” This is very serious and I think many of us overlook this and called it the Old Testament law. The fact is that God’s word is from Gensis to Revelation. If we must believe the word of God, it must be the whole bible not only the parts we like or are comfortable with. We must arise and take responsibility to ensure that in our families and communities, such group of people are taken care of. We also should not be taking care of them because they are family members or friends. The bible is not restricted; it covers the jews and gentiles and everyone.According to Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Jesus went around and did good to all, he did not ask for their ID cards or from what part of the country they came from. The bible did not specify that he selected only a particular group of people or his family. If we must preach the gospel, it must be complete, taking care of the needs of the needy in our community. James: 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27, has said it so well, this is what God will accept, taking care of the needy, orphans, widows, elderly, poor etc. Our services to God must be pure and faultless; no hypocrisy and pretends. We have been called to defend the voiceless in our communities, we can do so by ensuing that we advocate for their needs, locate them and assist them, provide for them, etc, according to Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” The God we serve is the defender of the widows and orphans, and we must do same;  Psalm 68:5 “A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.

Prayer Points

James: 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Pray and ask God for mercy that we the church have not kept his command to take care of the needy. We have been self-centered and always about us and sometimes our immediate families or friends.

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” Most often the church stands with families who have lost love ones but the standing is not sustainable and with time the widows or orphans are forgotten. Pray that the church will arise and take hold of their responsibility.

1 John 3:17-18 “17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” Pray that the church of God will love in action and not just mere words.

Mathew 25:35-40 “ 25 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” As believers, have a reflective mind over Mathew 25:35-40 above and pause for a little and ask yourself if you were there when the Lord said this, what would have been your response? Ok now you know, what do you think? What can you do differently? Pray and ask God to help us do right and not neglect his word.

Acts 20:35 “In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The apostle followed what they saw Jesus do; we must follow the same path to provide to the needly. Ask God for the grace to remember the needy and be a giver.

Zechariah 7:9-10 “ 9 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.” Pray that the church will arise and focus on seeking justice for the needy, interceding for their needs as well as physically providing for them.

Deuteronomy 10:18 “ He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” If we love him, he said we should keep his commandments. God defends the cause of the fatherless and widows, we must do the same. Ask God to grant us understanding and discernment to do according to his word.

Day 8: Revelation of Deep Truth Through Meditation

““The disclosure of your words illuminates, providing understanding to the simple”.”

— Psalm 119:130

Disclosure is the revealing of what is inside, but understanding comes when the light of the work shines. So when the word of God is revealed, it brings froth light that helps us to see what it really means. John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When we read the word of God, Jesus is revealed in the letter as light, and he can shine froth through our spirit man, and we are able to understand what the word says. Meditation helps us to understand what we have read.

What is Meditation?

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.”

Meditation involves the consistency of a deep reflection and thinking of the word of God. The focus is on the mind and the word of God, allowing the word to occupy the mind. Meditation is one of the channels through which the Spirit of God can connect with the spirit of man and bring the scriptures to life and understanding. For Joshua this had to be a practice in the day and night, implying all the time, a lifestyle built on thoughts and action around God’s word. Joshua’s prosperity and success in life and ministry was dependent on his obedience to this word. Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Meditation is like a magnetic that binds the word of God in us and as we continue to reflect on it, it finds a resting place within us and begin to flow from us through wisdom, psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit of God. Meditation ensures that our minds functions like a storage house for the word of God, when needed, it becomes readily available for urgent use.Meditation is our ability to dwell on God’s revealed truth until it can control our thoughts, mouth, and actions. To ponder, mull over, ponder, reflect on, speak it to the heart, it’s a focused and intentional thinking of the word until it becomes it shapes one’s thinking and behavior. The expectation of meditation is not just random thoughts but a time where the Holy Spirit is invited into shine light in the revealed word of God. John 14:26 “ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

When you are a Jesus’s lover it makes it easy for you to meditate on the word if you understand how and what the benefits are. All through the book of psalms, David constantly talked about how he meditates on the laws of the Lord. Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 63:6 “When I remember you upon my bed, andmeditate on you in the watches of the night.”

If we don’t understand what ours is, we will be unable to enjoy it and therefore become frustrated with life for no reason. Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”

The psalmist understands this; the words of his mouth must line up with the meditation in his heart. You cannot stand in the place of prayer, quoting scripture with unbelief or a different thought in your heart. Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Advantages of Meditation

Meditation pushes sin away from us: The word of God stored means its always there: Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Fuit yielding and prosperity: Psalm 1:2-3 “2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his Law Day and night. 3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.”

A mind occupied by the word of God will always think about these things as stated: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Meditation keeps the word of God within reach and provides you with wisdom to engage your enemies and people around you: Psalm 119:97-99 “97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.”

Meditation enhances your spiritual senses and discernment: Genesis 24:63 “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.”

Meditation draws us close to the presence and word of God: Psalm 119:15-16 “15 I meditate on your precepts  and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:148 “My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.”

Meditation increases our understanding and strengthens our relationship with God.Reference Joshua 1:8 above. The life of Joshua as a leader in Isreal was greatly influenced and successful because God had prepared him in the place of studying and meditating the word day and night.

Meditation exercise is important for our spiritual growth and understanding, as it permitsus to align their thoughts and actions with God's will: Proverbs 6:22-23 “22When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you 23 For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life.”

Meditation enables us to walk in clear direction: Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Mediation has the potential to renew your mind and cause you to change your thoughts and actions: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Some practical ways to Meditate on the Word of God: Note that there is no clear way stated in the bible on how to mediate but from scripture one can extract some ways that helps.

1: Determination, intentional, purposeful, Serious.

2. Pray and read the bible

3. Stop and think about what you have just read. What do you think the Holy Spirit is revealing to you, it may be the verse. 

4. If a particular verse comes into your thoughts, focus and reflect on that.

5. Wait and allow the Holy spirit to minister to you spirit. 

5. Repeat that verse several times, write it down, if possible, take it along with you wherever you go. Think about it. Say it aloud so it becomes part of you. 

Some Prayer Points

Pray for the grace to be in the word of God like Joshua 1:8

Pray that the for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in our knowledge of Jesus Christ: Ephesians 1:17-18 “17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.”

Pray that the word of God will create impact in our lives that will change the way we understand and walk in the word: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Pray that God will open our understanding on to what we actually have received- the Spirit of the Lord, not some random thought or imagination: 1 Corinthians 2: 12-13 “12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”

Pray that God will fill us with the knowledge of his will: Colossians 1:9 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Day 7: Falling in Love with the Word of God

““Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.””

— Jeremiah 15:16

A husband and wife must find each other before they fall in love. After their wedding, they continue to fall in love to keep the momentum of their love growing stronger each day. Falling in love is WORK, it’s not just taking a WALK to the park. To fall in love with the word of God, one must have the love, desire, determination, seriousness, time, and then go after it. One must weigh the benefits and know how much one would like to invest in it. The word of God is a spiritual currency used to purchase spiritual things. You need to understand how the currency works so that you’re able to buy at a gain. Jeremaiah 15:16 explains that the word was found and eaten, which means he went after the word and after finding it, he ate the word, and the word nourished his soul, and gave him joy and delight. Additionally, Jeremiah acknowledges his identify and covenant relationship with the one he had fallen in love with (“for I bear your name of Lord God of Hosts”). This was not just some kind of causal relationship, it was deep. He had taken over the name of the Lord, his new identity. Despite the physical challenges that he experienced, he found the word of God to provide him with spiritual repayment and accomplishment rooted in the divine truth and presence of God daily in his life.

To fall in love with the word of God, we must be ready to do work; search for the word; Ezekiel 3:1-3 “1 Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. 3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.” Ezekeil had his own encounter, after he found the word, he was asked to eat. He enjoyed eating the word and found out that the word was sweeter than honey. It was only after eating the word that he was qualified to go out and minister the word.The word of God is found in the presence of God where the bible becomes the food set at the table in his presence. It was only after eating the word that Jeremiah and Ezekiel found the benefits and expressed them. John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” From the Spirit of God to the spirit of man, God’s word brings life by resuscitating our death spirits.

Today we have been given the opportunity as well to search for the word from where we can find the benefits. The word of God has too much to offer to those who believe in it. It is not mere information but able to change and transform lives, restoration of purpose, vision, health, and provides life giving experience that transcends those things man has been subjected to on the earth.

In Proverbs 2:1-5, we are instructed on how to understand the fear of God and find knowledge of him; The word must be accepted by faith, stored up in our  minds (studying/reading/meditating), listening, practically applying what we have heard in our daily lives, call/ ask the Lord for help to understand and finally going after the word like nothing else matters. Proverbs 2:1-5 “ 2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

In Revelation 10:9-10, we observe how John also received the word of God from the angel. We see his obedience in taking the word and eating it. He accepted the word and the responsibility that comes with it. After eating the word, it was sweet as honey but bitter in the stomach. This indicates the complexity of the word. Job 2:10 “ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” As servants there are times when the word of God brings judgement, reprimand not just daily blessing and we must be ready for both. Revelation 10: 9-10 “9 And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10 So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.”

Prayer Points:

The church has abandoned the love and devotion to Jesus Christ. The church was established on the foundation of love and obedience but today we do whatever we interpreter the bible to be, no truth. We must repent and turn back to commitment and love for God: Revelation 2:4-5 “4 But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”5Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did atfirst. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

God is calling his church back to the love they shared when they first came out of Egypt, our old ways. He wants us to hear his word today and come back: Jeremaih 2:2 “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.”

Sometimes we think flowing in the gifts provides a right standing with God, that is not true. Love is what covers it all. We have to develop a sincere love for the Lord which is the password to love others around us. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 “1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing”.

Pray for the grace to be devoted like Jeremaih to go after the word of God with zeal and determination irrespective of you physically ability or circumstances of life: Jeremiah 15:16 “Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.”

Pray for the grace to accept the word, store it up within (by reading, studying, medication, reflect), allowing our hears to hear God, meaning we must silence other words, after we find it like Ezekiel and Jeremiah as mention above: Proverbs 2:1-5 “ 2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

Even Jesus himself did not attempt to live without the word. Bread (physical food) alone only satisfy the flesh. The word of God is meant to feed the spirit. Pray for a desire to feed in the word of God day and night: Mathew 4:4 “But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 1 Peter 2: 2-3 “2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Pray for the grace to not depart from the word of the Lord but to treasure it much more thenour daily physical food. Take the example from Job in all his suffering he never gave up: Job 23:12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”

The more you fall in love with the word of God, the more the deep understanding is revealed to you, and you can see how precious it is. Pray for endurance and perseverance, because it is not a one-day business: Psalm 19:10 “They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

God is inviting us into a love relationship. He is saying eat, the table prepared with the choicest food. It is here that we find wisdom for the way ahead. Come in as you are, he is waiting to bless and restore all what has been lost. You hope is not lost: Proverbs 24:13-14 “13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. 14 Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.”