The Word: Job 22: 29 (KJV)
29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up;
Dig Deeper: Malachi 3: 17(KJV)
17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Think about it
MY CASE IS DIFFERENT
Serving God has its reward. However those rewards may sometimes seem delayed. But our 7th season is a time of getting the rewards that are due. When rewards are delayed, men start to question whether it’s worth serving God. When things are not working properly we ask ourselves: what is the purpose of fasting, praying and seeking God?
The children of Israel had been in captivity for about 430yrs. Things were difficult. There was hardship and stress. So it was only natural that the children of Israel had questions and complaints on whether serving God made sense. But when God came down to deliver them through Moses, He decided to make a distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
Exodus 8: 22
22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
In the time of reward, God puts a distinction between his children and non Christians. In our text today we read:
29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up;
So our story will be different because God turns things around for us. When everybody is crying recession or hardship, that is when some people prosper. So the fact that the generality of people are going through a rough time does not mean your own case has to be like that. We serve a God who makes a distinction between those who are committed to him and those who serve him not. Please understand that in this 7th season, your case is different.
Nuggets:
My case is different, It’s my time of reward and my time of distinction
Our memory verse for May 2018
Ecclesaistes 3: 1
1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: To every thing there is a season,
Line 2: and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord, thank you because it’s my time of reward.
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
