God cares about your worries and struggles more than we think. Jesus can relate to our weaknesses and has been tempted in every way that we experience, and because He can relate, He sits next to his father daily making intercession for us. Imagine that, Jesus is praying for us, that we remain strong and overcome our struggles.

In Luke 22:31, he cautioned Peter that the devil was after the disciples to sift them as wheat, but that he had prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Jesus asked Peter to strengthen his brothers once he was restored.

Satan’s lie is that God does not care, that he does not see or understand our need, but this is far from the truth. He will not cause us to be tempted more than we can bear and he has attached to every trial and temptation a way of escape.

Look for that escape because there is a way even when you don’t see it. God is able, He loves you, He cares for you and we will overcome when we keep trusting and believing. Often we pray to overcome challenges, to escape trials and difficulties and this can cause us to feel far away from God. Nothing can separate us from a God who is acquainted with our sorrow and it is when we are being tested when God looks after us the most. In fact, Jesus is constantly calling our names to the father.

Stay in the word of God and in his presence, knowing that he is nearest to you when you feel your heart is breaking. And those times when you are so deeply burdened with anguish, that you do not know what to pray, God understands tears and Jesus is constantly calling your name to the father.
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

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The word fortified relates to being provided with defensive works, as protection against attack. Jeremiah’s call came at a time when he was young, insecure and worried about his ability to influence his people. God encouraged Jeremiah of the strength and authority that he had invested in him.

God spoke to Jeremiah concerning what he was called to do. God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and gave him the power to proclaim his word to the people. “See, I have set you this day 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 battle was not against flesh and blood, but against systems and structures which stood against the laws of God. The Israelites had transgressed against God and so they would be taken into captivity. God anointed prophets who were his messengers to the people, to warn of impending danger and judgment. The prophets were often held in high esteem, because of their relationship with God. At other times they were hated, because they had to relay messages of judgement, which the people didn’t always want to hear.

Jeremiah was one of those prophets, who faced much prosecution from those in authority and also false prophets. These prophets prophesied lies to the people and were angry, when Jeremiah’s message contradicted theirs. At the start of his ministry, God warned and encouraged Jeremiah about what he would experience. “They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:19).

God needed Jeremiah to be assured, that the word which he was sending him to proclaim, would not cause him to be a favourite of Kings, officials and even Priests. God wanted Jeremiah to know that he would protect him against their attacks. The attacks were sure to come, but would not prevail because God would deliver.

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At the time after Jesus’s death and resurrection, the disciples were zealous for God and travelled the region, spreading the gospel to different parts of the world. Phillip preached in the regions of Samaria and one day an angel instructed him to travel to the south towards a road that goes down from Jerusalem towards Gaza (Acts 8:26).

When Phillip got there he saw the Ethiopian eunuch, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, returning in his chariot while reading the writings of the Prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit prompted Phillip to join the eunuch and on approaching he heard him reading. Phillip asked if he understood what he was reading. Phillip proceeds to explain to the eunuch that Isaiah prophesied about Jesus Christ. Of his birth, ministry, crucifixion and his ascension into heaven (Acts 8:27-35).

The eunuch is so excited about hearing the good news. “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptised”(Acts 8:36)? The eunuch was baptised and went on his way rejoicing, having received the good news of Jesus Christ.

The eunuch’s position within Ethiopia was strategic, given his influence and ability to spread the gospel within the northern regions of Africa. At that time in the gospels, we saw the disciples being sent to strategic people, with influence within their own societies, who could proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many people have the erroneous perception that Christianity originated in Rome or in Europe. The paintings of Jesus by Michelangelo and other European artists did not help matters. For many years, drawings, paintings and television shows have depicted Jesus as European.

This may not seem like a big deal for some people, however the issues of identity and visible representations of different cultures is a historical issue. Many children have grown up with identity crisis as depictions of beauty have wrongly emphasised European features and standards. Persons who fall outside of these ideals, have felt inadequate or pressured into meeting these standards. Physical appearance is one dimension of this argument. The other important aspect is the spiritual significance and the need that people have, to be able to identify with a spiritual figure.

God created us in his own image and he made us all equal in his sight. Man made inventions and systems have created race, class and other divisions. This has negatively associated some people with superiority, while ascribing an inferior status to other people. These systems were created by the devil himself and need to be dismantled through the blood of Jesus Christ. My point is to highlight God’s love for all people from different ethnicities, cultures, languages and countries. God was so concerned for his people, that he allowed the apostles to share the gospel with people, who could through their influence, spread the gospel to the world. Through Phillips meeting with the eunuch, the gospel spread to Africa.

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Prayer is an antidote for anxiety and fear and God instructs us to come to him and empty our minds of worries and fears. Imagine how much our stress levels would decrease if we daily in honesty and openness pour out our hearts and minds to God.

Struggles can keep us trapped in mindless worry as long as we are holding unto those cares and frustrations. We pick up the phone and talk to our best friends, our sisters or our mothers and they listen and offer good advice. And then we carry on worrying because only the voice of God brings true relief. Ever prayed until you felt the weight of the worry and burden that you were carrying suddenly lift off your shoulder?

That’s called the spirit of heaviness and only prayer and worship can relieve that pressure gauge created by anxiety. “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah‬ ‭61:3‬)

Peace is also one of the greatest strategies against the war that the enemy tries to wage in our minds. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Prayer is acknowledging that there is a greater power outside of ourselves, that we look to for help. It is trusting God to intervene in our circumstances in ways that we are unable to. It’s calling upon a strength that is greater than our human capabilities.

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Job experienced severe trials and suffering and longed for death. He considered death a relief from the suffering that he was experiencing. Job consoled himself with the knowledge that he had an appointed time that was predetermined by God. He understood that his suffering would not last forever, but change was sure to come.

Job was convinced that all of his debates with God could cost him his life. Yet he made up his mind to bring his case before God. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (argue or debate with him)” (Job 13:15).

God can handle our arguments, our questions and even our frustrations. Like a parent who listens to the protests of a child, yet maintains their position, because they have the wisdom to know best. God will listen to what we have to say because he loves us and he cares for us. God longs to share his heart with us if we would stay close to him.

God’s timing isn’t always convenient for us and I’ve debated with God, about choosing more conventional ways to test me when the trials have felt too much. “But who can know the mind of God to instruct him or offer him counsel” (Romans 11:34)? Let us ask God for the wisdom and understanding to be able to move in correct timings.

Imagine Mary being engaged to marry the love of her life, being visited by an angel and told that she was going to be pregnant. The timing of such news could not have been any more inconvenient for Mary (Luke 1). Yet Mary praised God and considered herself favoured among women. The books of the Old Testament revealed the set time when Jesus was to be born. The wise men who through understanding of the times, knew when the star would appear to signal his birth (Matthew 2).

We have to trust that God’s timing is perfect even when it feels inconvenient. We trust that there is a set time and season for everything under the sun. We hold on to the hope that God allows all things to work out for our good. Things may not feel good right now, but trust that God is able and he will turn things around.

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Solomon’s exhortation in Ecclesiastes relates to our times and seasons and he wanted us to understand, that there is an appointed time for everything. As there was a set time for our birth, there is also a set time for us to depart from this earth. Two things are certain which is a time to be born and a time to die.

What then is the purpose of life and what do we do with the time that we have been given. Since none of us know for sure how many days we have and when our end is, we live everyday like it’s our last day and we live according to purpose. There are some bible prophets who knew when their time had come to die, like Jesus who knew when he would be crucified. Some of us may have a greater insight into our times and seasons, but the majority of us do not know exactly how long our season will last.

Paul’s caution in Ephesians is to, “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). We can see the manifestation of evil all around us and the enemy is busy with destruction and ruin. We have to work hard to complete our assignment, while we still have time, because when the end comes then we will no longer have the time to work.

Our primary duty is to fear God and keep his commandments, to show love, mercy and compassion and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not wait to tell the people around you about the good news of salvation, because who knows how much time we have left. “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2-3).

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Our God operates in seasons and there are specific timings for events in our lives. Solomon advises in Ecclesiastes that there is a time and a season for everything. As believers we have to be sensitive to God’s timing and to the different seasons. Farmers understand seasons and have to keep this in mind to understand when to plant, sow new seed and the time for harvesting.

There are difficult seasons that we endure in the body of Christ and then difficult seasons give way to seasons of rest and peace. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

The word night in the text refers to more than just one night but can represent a season of darkness. “But 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). Your night season is almost over and the light of daybreak is coming. Your suffering is coming to an end and God will restore, strengthen, confirm and establish you.

The devil will not be allowed to continually oppress God’s people and God will drive out the enemies of oppression and fear. There are doors of sorrow, weeping and hardship that are being shut. God will open doors of restoration, freedom, celebration and joy.

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Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased (2 Kings 4: 3,6).

Elijah once performed the supernatural miracle of provision, for the widow who came to ask him for help to pay her debt. The widow was the wife of a prophet who once served Elijah and now that he was dead, debtors threatened to take her sons as slaves for payment. Elijah asked the woman what she had in her house and her response was, “nothing except a flask of oil” (2 Kings 4:2).

Elijah started with what she had in her house and used this to demonstrate God’s ability, to take what we have and to multiply it according to our faith. His instruction to her was to collect as many empty vessels as she could find and she needed to get more than a few. Supernaturally the flask of oil kept pouring until the last vessel was full.

It was at this time, that the widow asked her son for another vessel, but they had used all the vessels that they gathered. As soon as he announced that there were no more vessels, the oil stopped flowing. This is a great miracle of God’s provision and now the widow could sell the oil to pay her debt and provide for her and her sons.

I imagine that when the last bottle was full, the widow may have wished that they had collected even more bottles, because then the oil would continue to flow to fill whatever they had gathered. The number of bottles that she gathered represented the measure of her faith and for however much she could imagine, that is what God provided for her.

We have to set the bar much higher and stretch our faith, in order to be able to receive more from God. What do you have in your house that you call nothing? God can multiply it, to bring you significant increase according to your faith. Use the word to build up and increase your faith and then expect God to give you the supernatural increase.

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It is God who created us for his good pleasure and he has already provided everything that we need to accomplish his plan and purpose. God is not the author of confusion, so he would not ask us to do something if he has not already made a way, for us to accomplish it. We may not be able to see the way, but our requirement is faith. Although the way seems impossible, we are required to have faith that God is able to do what he has promised.

We increase our faith through our study of the word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). During difficult times and when we struggle to stay in faith concerning what God has said, we study the word to gain strength. “Study and be eager to do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Faith requires hope in things that we cannot see. If we can see it then it does not require faith and when it seems impossible is when God does his best work. He specialises in the impossible and he is waiting for our declaration of faith, for his work to be manifested in us. “Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21). Stay in faith and keep believing.

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Paul and Barnabas were preaching the gospel in Lystra. While Paul was preaching, a man sat listening to him, who was crippled from birth and had never walked (Acts 14:8). As the man listened, Paul must have observed the man’s body language and watched how he was responding to his sermon.

I imagine that Paul would have been speaking, about the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, which is able to raise the dead, heal the sick and cause the lame to walk again. There must have been an excitement and an anticipation of faith, on this man’s face that caused Paul to see that the man had the faith to be made well. And acting upon the man’s faith, (not Paul or Barnabas’s faith), Paul commanded the man to stand up on his feet. The scripture did not say that the man stood up slowly and needed help to get to his feet. This man “sprang up and began walking.”

This miracle was according to the measure of this man’s faith. “each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3). We know that without faith it is impossible to please God, “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Jesus often healed people and commented on their faith making them whole. And for those who struggled to believe, there was help for their unbelief (Mark 9:23-27). Faith is required for miracles, healing and deliverance to take place. In Mark 9, the father prayed against unbelief in order to increase his measure of faith to receive healing for his son. Faith increases through prayer, hearing the word and also in Mark 9, Jesus encouraged his disciples to fast and pray. Increase your faith and believe God for healing.

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