We live in a modern age, where the world is driven by the access to information and technology. If our faith has ever been at risk, it is now when information is readily available at our fingertips. Our faith is constantly at odds with scientific and empirical evidence. Let us look at some of the ways in which our faith has and continue to come in conflict with modem facts. Facts states that every person on this planet is at risk of catching and spreading airborne diseases. Faith says, “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:7).

God has promised many times in the bible that his children will walk in divine health. The bible is filled with scriptures that indicates, that sickness does not come from God. Facts also say that when you reach a certain age, that your body is likely to deteriorate. Faith says, “who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). We also see bible examples of prophets such as Moses, who lived up to one hundred and twenty years old. “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever” (Deuteronomy 34:7).

Facts say that you need a certain amount of money to access certain benefits. Faith says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Jesus performed many miracles of supernatural supply, to demonstrate to us God’s divine provision. Facts say that a man and woman are unlikely to be able to conceive and have children naturally after a certain age. Faith says, “And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19).

There are real time examples of people, who defy the odds and have knocked science on its head. I am not saying that you do not take the advice of doctors, financial analyst and that you completely ignore science. My question to you is; What do you do, when your faith is at odds with the science and information? Do you abandon your faith and stick to the facts or do you listen to the facts, hold that in mind while maintaining what the word says. Another position is to dismiss the facts altogether and meditate on the word of faith. Either way, it is difficult to sit between both positions. Both of these systems are constantly at odds with each other. “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

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David sang praises unto God and declared the awesome works of his hands. He recalled how God delivered his children at the Red Sea, causing them to cross over on dry land. David declared that although the people of God had experienced hardship and testing, they were now in a place of abundance. It was for this same reason, why Isaiah told us not to fear. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2).

Even in the midst of trials and adversity, God is still with us and is able to help us. God will never leave us nor forsake us and being tested, does not negate God’s presence. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence” (Psalm 139:7)? We have to rest assured, that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The challenges, difficulties, persecution or distress does not mean that you are any less godly. The devil will whisper lies and accusations. This is to convince that you that you must have done something wrong, in order for God to not love you.

If you believe that you have done any wrong, simply pray the prayer of repentance. Once you have repented before God, then the devil has nothing to hold against you. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword” (Romans 8:35)? The devil enjoys taunting us with judgement and condemnation, in order to make us feel unrighteousness. This can also lead us to become judgemental of others. Trust in God to defend, protect and shield you from harm and dangers. Stay connected to God and hide in his protection.

This weeping will endure for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. Your restoration season is here and God will level the crooked places. God will not allow never ending oppression and harassment. Surrender the battle to him, rest in his presence and let him fight your battles. God will restore the places that have been broken down by persecution. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).

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Jesus spoke to his disciples about offences, within the context of being tempted to sin. His woeful lamentation was in respect of the person who causes the offence or temptation. While we have to resist temptation and offences, the person used by the devil is not obsolete. The devil needs agents and will use people as host to carry out his acts. Open doors of bitterness, resentment and anger creates room to be used by the devil. Similarly, God uses us for his glory and to establish his kingdom. The devil wants to copy everything that God does. Demons cannot act without a human body.

The devil will work through people who he knows can have an effect on us. Oftentimes the devil will work through friends, family members, co-workers and even other Christians. We see this manifested in Jesus’s own disciples. “But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man”” (Matthew 16:23). Unfortunately, Christians are not exempt from being used by the devil. “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me”” (John 13:21).

Judas’s betrayal of Jesus caused so much guilt and shame in him, that he took his own life. Peter also went on to deny Jesus, but sought repentance and was restored to the faith. Sins are forgiven through repentance and restoration. Despite God’s forgiveness, some sins leave lasting consequences. God is able to save and restore in the areas, where we experienced losses due to disobedience and sin. We have to guard our hearts and remain in the presence of God, so that we do not become a pawn for the devil. “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin” (Luke 17:2).

The consequences of causing someone to stumble or sin are major. This is especially for those of us who are believers. The reality is that we should know better and practice what the word says. We are exhorted to do good, especially to other believers. We are also cautioned not to stand in the way of sinners. Do not in your ignorance or arrogance, cause someone else to stumble. “But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).

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Jeremiah had this calling on his life, before his conception and birth. A prophet to the nations, “Set over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). Jeremiah’s birth signalled a major threat to the kingdom of darkness. His birth would also advance the kingdom of God in the earth. Jeremiah was called the weeping prophet, due to his constant lamentations over Israel. Imagine being the mouthpiece of God, who can sense the emotions of God concerning your nation. Jeremiah lamented their backsliding, idolatry and eventual bondage due to their sins.

Despite his cries to repentance, the people were hard hearted and disobedient. Jeremiah also faced physical threats and chastisement. “Then Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the house of the Lord” (Jeremiah 20:2). This made Jeremiah consider taking a vow of silence, yet the word of God was to Jeremiah a burden, or a burning sensation that he could not quench. Jeremiah was not the only prophet despised, as we also see death and destruction surrounding the birth of Moses. Pharaoh was threatened by the increase of the Israelite population.

“And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us” (Exodus 1:9). The initial order was to oppress the people, but they multiplied even more. Next was the order to the midwives to kill all the male children. As this did not work, the next order was to throw all the male children into the river Nile. This would include Moses, but his mother was defiant about keeping her son alive. Howbeit, Moses was a child of promise. A prophet and a deliverer of God’s children. The devil could not kill Moses, but that certainly did not stop him from trying.

The birth of Jesus was also threatening to the devil and his agents. Herod sought to kill him and when this plan fell through, he also killed all the male children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-18). The devil can sense greatness in a seed and somehow knows when a child is conceived for greatness. His strategy will be to try and prevent conception, or to order annihilation at birth. This is his attempt at stopping the impact, which God intends for his prophets. We know that the plans and purposes of God, always outweighs the schemes of satan. He cannot usurp God’s divine authority. He can try to frustrate and cause misery, but God makes all things new.

Your conception and birth may have been surrounded by difficult circumstances. Yet you are chosen of the Lord, to proclaim the good news of the gospel to the world. Remember that your very existence serves as a constant irritant to the devil. You will not be silenced, frustrated or constantly bombarded by the enemy. God has a winning strategy and as you remain connected, he will destroy the works of the darkness. “So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

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Yesterday we explored eight names of God, including Jehovah Jireh and Elohim. Today we will continue to look at some of the other names, used by bible prophets to describe the nature and character of God. Adonai (Great Lord) is used over four hundred and fifty times in the bible. David made reference to God in Psalms in this context. “that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:18). Melchizedek described God as El Elyon (God most high), after Abraham defeated the Kings and rescued his nephew Lot. “and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:20).

Moses spoke to the people about God being Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Sanctifies). “Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:8). Hagar experienced God as El Roi (God sees Me), after she conceived with Abraham’s child. “So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me”” (Genesis 16:13). God introduced himself to Abraham as El Shaddai (All Sufficient One). “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

David defiantly defended his people against Goliath, as he called on Jehovah Saboath (Lord of Host). “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). Isaiah described God as El Olam (Everlasting God). “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Of all the names listed between yesterday and today, which name is your favourite description of God? The name that we use may differ depending on the time, situation or circumstances that we find ourselves in. David’s description of God as Jehovah Saboath (Lord of Host), stood out for me. David is one of my favourite bible characters, because he is good mix between a worshipper and a warrior. There are days when you will need the God of peace, and other days you may need the Lord who sanctifies. Whatever your need, I pray that these writings have helped you to develop a greater understanding of the character and nature of our father God.

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