Daily Manna 29 September
KEY VERSE: “For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” – (Psalm 116:8)
TEXT: Psalm 116:1-8
1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
In North-western University, near Chicago, there was once a rescue crew formed to help drowning victims on the lake. One day, a magnificent vessel was wrecked just off the shore. Crew members plunged into the angry waters to rescue those who were drowning. They soon returned without one of them. Finally, a young man came in bringing a rescued man with him. He went back and brought another, and then another, and so on until he had rescued ten. Meanwhile, his mates had lit a fire and were warming themselves, all the time trying to persuade him to give up the effort. Completely exhausted, this young man mustered strength to rescue the eleventh man and got so overcome by exposure that he died that night. Just before he died, he called one of his mates to his bedside and asked, “Did I do my best?” “Yes, I should think you did do your best”, said his friend.
Not pausing from time to time to count our blessings to give thanks is a mark of ingratitude to God. The writer of Psalm 116 can certainly not be accused of ingratitude. From him flowed an outpouring of appreciation for remarkable interventions of God in his life. He said, “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” That his humble petitions to God received answers was a marvel to him and this engendered in him more love for God. It makes sense to think that we should not love God just because of His blessings that we receive. But indeed, whatever depth of love we have for God is yet reciprocal.
The psalmist had passed through a near-death experience that was so overwhelming and hopeless that he described it as “sorrows of death” and “pains of hell”. He was frighteningly greeted with “trouble and sorrow”. From that pit of hopelessness, he called upon God who showed up and proved that He is gracious and righteous.
Are you grappling with a life-threatening challenge at this moment? Do you consider that your load is too heavy to bear? Are you reeling in the mire of failure and disappointment? Do not be discouraged. Pause and reflect on the many untold blessings that you have received from God and be grateful to Him. As for the present challenge or need, turn it over to God in prayer. He is gracious. He will answer you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is more than enough reason to thank God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ecclesiastes 8-12
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – If Not For God- by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 29 September 2021