“You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:12 NIV
The psalmist continues describing Israel’s bondage in Egypt. “Ride over our heads” depicts the brutality of the Egyptians toward the Hebrew slaves. Egyptian taskmasters are compared to a ruthless army that rides over the bodies of soldiers who have fallen in battle. The hardships the Hebrews faced were mercilessly severe; they were like a people who had been forced to endure the perils of both fire and water. But God heard Israel’s cries and delivered them from their intense trials. He brought the Hebrews out of their bondage in Egypt and into the Promised Land, a place of glorious abundance, overflowing with blessings. God allows, and sometimes ordains, trials in our lives, just as He did with Israel. His purposes are the same for us as they were for them. God tries us to purify us. The fires of tribulation have a way of purging sin out of our lives. Because we so desperately need God’s help, we tend to pray more than usual when we are suffering. As we try to pray, God’s Spirit brings our unconfessed sins before us, reminding us that they are hindering our prayers. Dealing with our sins, draws us closer and closer to God. Trials are God’s correction for sins we have committed. We who believe in Jesus Christ are God’s precious sons and daughters whom He loves ever so much. Because of His love, God does not simply ignore or overlook our sins. If we refuse to repent, He disciplines us to stir us to turn back to Him and become more holy, pure and set apart unto Him (Hebrews 12:5-11).
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, thank You for Your loving correction in our lives.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You that because of Your love, You do not simply ignore or overlook our sins. If we refuse to repent, You discipline us to stir us to turn back to You and become more holy, pure and set apart unto You. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Acts 2:1-13
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