The Blessings of Being with Jesus | Promise | April 26 | God's Shadow Ministries

 

GOD’S SHADOW PROMISE

APRIL 2026

THE BLESSINGS OF BEING WITH JESUS

Mar 8:8  So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 

Loving  Greetings in the precious  and all sufficient name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus  Christ,

Our journey with Lord Jesus, in the year 2026 has crossed three months and today, by his grace, we are stepping into the fourth month.  April marks the beginning a New Financial Year.   In Tamil Nadu, it is also Election season.  As citizens of this nation, our duty is to not just pray for it but we also must cast our vote with God’s guidance.  

For those in corporate sectors, April is also a time to look forward to performance reviews and rewards.   After all, we spend endless hours in our profession to not just earn but reap good returns for our efforts.   Whether your employer is bothered or not, you must know that our Lord is concerned about your wealth and welfare. He is not someone who just manages to meets our needs, he is a God who does exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.  In Mathew 6:33, Jesus promised that the things that the world is going after shall be given in geometrical progression. Yes. If only we seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, he will ensure to add everything that you need in life.  Hallelujah!

Wonder in the Wilderness

Mar 8:4  And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness

Among the many miracles of Jesus, the five loaves and two fish incident is the quintessential account of what our Lord Jesus can do to meet the needs of his own people and satisfy them in the most challenging circumstances.  A similar incident involving four loaves and few fish to four thousand people also finds its place in scriptures.    Both these reflect the compassionate heart of God to meet and satisfy the needs of the people who come to him.  Both these take place in the wilderness.  In many ways, the world in which live is a type of wilderness.   Israelites wandered in the wilderness before entering into their promised land.  As people of God, we also meander in this world not knowing where to go and how to go?  But take heart, we have a God who meets our needs even in the wilderness

Directionless Sheep

Mar 6:34  And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as a sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 

The scripture says that the people who came to Jesus were as a “sheep without a shepherd”.  Seeing their dismal condition, Jesus began to teach them “many” things about the Kingdom of God.  In this distress filled world, you could be someone who is walking in the road of uncertainty not knowing the way out.  On that day, the crowd not only found their shepherd but were immensely satisfied by God’s goodness, served in the wilderness.

Being with Jesus

Mar 8:2  I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 

Even though this episode is a familiar one, the words of Lord Jesus regarding the crowd needs a special mention.  Lord Jesus was not talking about some crowd that sought him for miracles, he speaks of a group of people who came to listen to him and remained with him for three days without any food. Either they would have exhausted their food or brought nothing to eat.  But they stayed, in spite of hunger.   To this crowd, what mattered much was not food, but the feet of Jesus.  Not bread, but the living words of Jesus.  They remained with Jesus and the Lord rewarded them plenteously!

 The top blessings

Mar 8:8  So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 

When we read this incident with the light of the Holy Spirit, we see a glimpse of three foundational “spiritual” blessings that this crowd enjoyed that evening.   We will look at them and will also explore the reason that brought forth those blessings.

1.Supply (Phil 4:19)

That evening, their immediate need was food and they did not have anything to eat. They had no resources to buy as well.  But Jesus miraculously supplied their need.   Our God is able to meet what you need at this hour, be it money, job, child, health or even spiritual needs.  He will surely supply all your needs.

 2.Sufficiency (Isa 58:11)

Lord Jesus Christ, not only provided them with the food but satisfied them.  The Bible says they eat and were filled.   Even today, when the Lord begins to bless you it will not be a hand to mouth existence, he will bless you in such a way that your barns will overflow.   Perhaps, all this while, the income did not bring any contentment. Thus far, there was no satisfaction.  But the Lord would satisfy your soul and stomach!

 3.Security/Stability (Jer 29:11)                                                                                                                               One of the common fears bothering a child of God, How my future is going to be? Today everything looks fine, but will it last till tomorrow? Will it continue the next year? Will my children continue to live under this blessing?   These questions sometimes cause a deep sense of fear and uncertainty our minds. It is not about knowing what will be there in the future; it is about trusting the Lord who knows our future.  We must believe that our Lord has planned to give us a (good) future and a (bright) hope! Amen.   The disciples were able to gather the remaining fragments in twelve baskets.  12 speak of 12 months or a year.   It speaks about our future. God is not a God who supplies your present needs but has also planned for your future needs.  With God on your side, your future is secure!

Even as we begin a new financial year, I would like to prophetically claim and pronounce these three blessings over your financial affairs as well.    Regardless of your current income, career, increment or growth options, when you choose to stay in his presence, when you decide to live by His word, our Lord Jesus is able to Supply, Satisfy and Secure every need of yours.  Amen!

Extraordinary Crowd

Mar 8:8  So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. 

Those days, Lord Jesus Christ was not just healing and delivering people, he was also teaching to them the Kingdom of God.  People gathered in large numbers to hear him. This incident is one such event. The scriptures do not disclose the message spoken to them, but it amply reveals that those who came to him remained with him for three days.  Surely, they did not want to leave in the middle or became tired of his teachings! 

Today, our church services, on an average, last for 2 or 3 hours.   No sooner the Amen is said, people frantically leave the premises to take their vehicle out from the parking slots.  If the sermon or the service extends the scheduled timing, people get restless and begin to look at the clock.   But this crowd was different.  In the wilderness, with grass and ground as their couch and cot, they remained with Jesus for three days.   Astonishing!  Jesus truly felt for his crowd and without any demand from their side, he chose to feed and satisfy them.

The Spirit of the Lord opened my eyes to ascertain the factors that led Jesus to perform this miracle against every discouragement. When Jesus was on earth, miracles, many a time, flowed because of the faith of the recipient.  We often hear Jesus saying, “Your faith has made you whole”, “Let it happen according to your faith”.   In the same way, I believe that, even here, the compassion of Jesus and the characteristics of the crowd only caused a great multiplication miracle that evening. 

I was able to observe three distinctive characteristics of the crowd which received the blessing of Supply, Satisfaction and Security.  

1.Eager to Listen to Jesus

This crowd came not just to receive miracles but to hear him teach. In other words, they sought the Lord for his word.  They were so thirsty for the word of God that they did not even bother about eating.   They desired the word above everything.   How eager are we to listen to his word?  Do we just limit it for two hours a week or do we choose to feast on his word for hours together.  Think about it!

2.Earnest to Stay with Jesus

Listening to him speaking can truly be a delightful experience.   But you must not forget the fact they were not attending this meeting in a AC hall.  It was an open ground, a desert-like waste land.   They could have attended one day and left the next day.  But they stayed for three days.   I assume that Jesus may have been preaching all day and in the night would have kept in that wilderness.   Night speaks of darkness.  In our seasons of darkness, do we continue to walk with him and do we chose to retract?  Israelites began their journey in great celebration, but when they did not find food they grumbled and even decided to return to Egypt.   But not this crowd.  We do not seem them demanding or complaining about food. When we choose to stay and walk with Jesus, even in seasons of darkness, we will experience the greatest of supply and satisfaction.  It is true!

3.Excited to Sow for Jesus

Even though this incident does not specifically mention from where the seven loaves and few small fishes came, I presume that this must be someone in the crowd who volunteered to give it to Jesus.  It could be a small boy’s meal of a boy. Here again, Jesus repeats the same process. He takes the bread, gives thanks. broke and gave it to the disciples.   There was an act of giving or sowing before the blessing of multiplication.  How cheerful and committed are we in giving to Jesus or giving to Kingdom work.   In the earlier incident and in this, Jesus took the bread and fish from the hands of the disciples and used the disciples to feed the crowd. What does it mean?  Trusting in Jesus, if you sow in the life of a servant of God or a Ministry, God will use the ministry of the servant of God to cause a blessing of multiplication and satisfaction in your life.  Amen!

What do you think was the secret behind this crowd’s incredible attitude?  They were only ordinary people whom Jesus addressed as “sheep without a shepherd”. I believe this crowd, who came to see Jesus, were truly transformed by the words that he spoke with them for three days.   Hallelujah!  Jesus said, my words are both spirit and life.

They stayed with them for three days.  Before the fourth day could come, they received their best blessing.  You have been with Jesus all through these 3 months in the year 2026.  Just as you have entered the 4^th month, I do prophetically believe that when you choose to remain earnestly, listen eagerly, sow willingly your life also be filled all the goodness of God.  Be it finance or any other thing, your Father in heaven who knows what you need and who is compassionate towards you will surely bless you with overflowing blessings!

He will not let you faint

Mar 8:3  And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 

Jesus knew well that if they were sent without food, that they would faint by the way.  Even in this month, Jesus knows that if the needed help, expected breakthrough, awaited deliverance does not come through, you will faint.  Just as he was not willing let his people faint in the wilderness, he will not allow you to faint as well.  You may have begin this month with nothing, but in due time, you will experience satisfaction and security of God.  

Amen and amen!

God bless you.  Wishing you a month of God’s Supply, Satisfaction and Security!

 

Vinod Kumar

God’s Shadow Ministries

I WILL COME | PROMISE | GOD'S SHADOW MINISTRIES | MARCH 2025

 

I WILL COME AND HEAL HIM

PROMISE | MARCH 2025

Mathew 8:7  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him

 

Dearly beloved in Christ,

 

Loving greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

 

In the Gospel account of Mathew, in the narrative of Centurion who pleads to Lord Jesus for the deliverance of his servant suffering from palsy, we find an insightful attribute of our Lord. Yes. Although this incident teaches to us a lesson in faith, according to me, there is another very prophetic side to this whole story and that is the cue for this month’s promise of God’s Shadow Ministries.  In this story Jesus, without hesitating or even delaying, responds to the Centurion’s request by saying, “I will come” and then goes on to appreciate  his faith before the crowd,  when he said it is enough if He sends his word. Notably, this man was not a Jew. Lord Jesus, who once declared that he came only for Jews and once even discouraged the Canaanite woman from approaching him seems to be responding in a different way here?

 

Well, I do not know what made him to say “yes” to Centurion’s request, but I do prophetically believe that if he could be so quickly answer the prayer of a non-Jew or perhaps a non-christian, how much more swiftly and readily will he help his own children, his own flock, his own disciples!  The Bible says you and I have become sons and daughters of God through our faith in Lord Jesus Christ!

 

For the month of March 25, just as he told that Centurion, I believe that our Lord would truly command his presence in the homes of his children who would call out to Him in their misery, in their suffering and in their difficulties!  He did not just hear and give some reply, he told the Centurion,      I WILL COME! Hallelujah!  Beloved people of God, the prophetic-promise that I would like to share is that the Lord who has already heard our petition promises to come and provide the solution!   Amen!   

 

Even as you are reading this, your mind is occupied with cares, worries, pressures and problems that you are presently facing as an individual, as a family.  It could be a sickness, a conflict, a debt or even the wayward life of your children.  Your heart is overwhelmed with the pain of someone in your family and in your neighborhood.  I would like to prophetically declare that the Lord has heard your petition and promises to ‘COME AND DEAL” with the same! Amen!

 

The words, “I will come” speak of his intent to act immediately and affirmatively with regard to your prayer request.  Even today, the Lord is desirous to extend the same to all those who have been praying and waiting upon him. Hallelujah!

  

The centurion coming to meet Lord Jesus Christ speaks of SEEKING LORD’S PRESENCE in our hour of distress.

 

The centurion’s proposition to just send a word than coming in person, speaks of his faith in the WORD OF GOD.

 

The centurion’s faith brought about a great release of GOD’s HEALING POWER in his house, the place where his servant was. Amen

 

The moment the Centurion shared his problem, the Lord’s response was to come and solve the same.   The Bible says, “All things are possible with God”. Yes!  It is not just about physical healing, whatever be the issue that you are facing right now, as a child of God, our Lord is able to come and provide a relief.  Our Lord performed ever so many miracles in the life of multitudes that come to him for deliverance and healing. However, for our meditation, we shall take a closer look at three events that took place in the ministry of Jesus.   These events paint to us a prophetic picture of what the Lord want to do in our lives. They also convey that our Lord is not far, but very close to our prayers, to cause his deliverance and healing in our lives.   Amen! 

Let us look at them, one by one.

 

1. Deficit in the Wedding (John 2)

Joh 2:2 and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 

 A familiar incident, to begin with. It is about Lord Jesus turning the water into wine. Without going too much into the details, I would only like to highlight the significance of a miracle such as this in a family, especially in a wedding.   The shortage of wine would have caused a great chaos and perplexity in the minds of the wedding party, because wine is the key item of the banquet and not providing it would cause a heavy backlash to the wedding party before the invitees and the society.  When the family was clueless, Mother Mary took the matter to Jesus. And Jesus performed the miracle of turning the ‘water into wine’.  Jesus entered into that wedding scene and silenced the confusion.    Prophetically, even in your life, if you are going through a phase of utter confusion and chaos on how to handle few things, be it in office or at home, or how to handle the finances required for your children’s education or even a wedding which has already been planned.  Your resources have run dry and it appears as if nothing or none can help you in this crisis.   You cry out in desperation to God, just as Mary that day informed Jesus.  Lord Jesus who already knows what you need, will come into your life to remove every lack and deficit. The one who responded to the call of a Centurion will surely hear the cry of his own child! Amen!  The Lord will come and put an end to your confusion. Hallelujah!

 

2. Danger in the Journey (Mathew 14)

 Mat 14:32 and when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 

 Once Jesus put his disciples on a boat and constrained them to sail to the other shore before him.  On his part, Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray.   The disciples who were sent by Jesus faced troubled waters (in real sense) when the boat in which they going began to be tossed with waves as the wind had turned contrary.  Perplexed and troubled, the disciples did not know what to do.  It was during that hour of crisis that Jesus appeared before them as one walking on the water!  The disciples, who could not believe this sight, were terrified over his appearance and even felt that it could be some spirit.  Jesus said, “Be of good cheer. It is I, be not afraid”.  And in time, he joined them in the said boat and made the sea calm.   Here, in this incident, it was Jesus who set them on sail and in the middle of the journey when the disciples were caught in a worst storm, they could not but cry and wail in terror and uncertainty.  I am sure, for a while they all would have thought that their story is going to end under the depths of the sea.   Knowing that Jesus had no other boat to come up to them, they would have thought that even he cannot rescue them now.  But in an unexpected way Jesus came on the water, came into their boat and made things calm.  Even in your life, in your marriage journey, career or even a ministry, having begun well with the assurance of God’s will, you are now stuck in a great crisis!  When in the middle of the sea, you can neither go backward nor move forward. Perhaps, a storm of misunderstanding, conflict or some work of the evil has gotten you stuck in the middle!  You may either feel like dying or may even contemplate suicide.  Having lost all hopes, you may have even stopped praying.  But, just as Jesus came walking on the water to rescue the disciples from the storm and lead them safely to the shore, even in your situation, in your family, in your business, in your ministry, he would step into provide peace, purpose and will commute you till the end! Amen! The Lord will come and calm the storm to end your cry of desperation. Hallelujah!

 

3. Death in the Family (John 11)

 Joh 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 

 In the town of Bethany, near Jerusalem, there lived a family which was very close to Jesus.  Two sisters viz., Martha and Mary and their only brother Lazarus often hosted Jesus.  Jesus loved this family very much. Once, when Jesus was away from Bethany on ministerial visits, he receives a word from the messengers that Lazarus is sick unto death.  The family’s expected that Jesus would immediately come and heal him.  But against all expectations, Jesus did not turn up and Lazarus succumbed to his sickness.  Four days after the death and burial of Lazarus, Jesus came to meet to the house of this bereaved family.  Obviously, the scene was full of sorrow and grief and the sisters of Lazarus expressed that if only Jesus had come early, their brother would not have died. But Jesus was repeatedly telling them that he shall make him come to life again.  The sisters, were of the belief that their brother would rise up in the last day, but not now.  But Jesus was to perform an extraordinary miracle of bringing a dead man back to life on the very same day. 

 

The Bible mentions that when Jesus came near the sepulcher not only the sisters, but even the people standing around were weeping and groaning. Jesus himself was troubled in spirit over the loss and grief surrounding that family.   But the grief did not last long as Jesus called Lazarus out from the sepulcher alive!  It was truly an outstanding miracle which turned the environment from one of sorrow to celebration!

 

Perhaps, even in your life, you may be going through a period of extreme sorrow or grief over a loss of life, loss of a job, and loss of money or even lost opportunities.  You are weeping endlessly and no amount of consolation would comfort your soul.   Just as the sisters grieved for four days, you may be grieving for 4 months or even 4 years.   But on that fourth day, Lord Jesus came and wiped away all their tears. Hallelujah!  Sepulcher or tombstone speaks of end of life, end of hope and perhaps end of everything.  Maybe you are standing and weeping at the point where you feel there is no longer any hope in your life. But Jesus, since he loved them much, came and brought life into a lifeless situation! Even in your life the Lord would come and put an end to all your tears. Amen!

 

Keys to your Miracle:

Even though the Lord has promised to come into your situation and command his healing and deliverance, when we carefully look at the above visitations, we come across three salient causes which made Jesus come into their situation to command his blessing. Let us look at them briefly.

1.Inviting Jesus

Jesus and the disciples were invited to the wedding. Have you invited or accepted Jesus as your personal savior in your life?  Make Jesus a part of your life.

2.Including Jesus

Jesus stepped into the boat of the disciples.  Yes, they included Jesus in their journey.  Jesus did not perform his miracle standing on the sea, but he stepped into the boat and he even accompanied them in their journey.  How often do you involve or include Jesus in your life journey?  In the decisions that you take, in the agreements that you enter, in the travels that you plan, have you asked Jesus to come along with you?. Let the presence come with you wherever you go and whatever you do.

 3. Informing Jesus

The sisters of Lazarus sent word to Jesus.  Mary informed Jesus about the shortage of wine.  This speaks about our prayer life.  Paul writes that we ought not to worry about anything but with thanks –giving make our requests known to God.  Yes, a constant communication with the Lord is the hallmark of a successful Christian life. More than sharing with men keep talking; keep communicating to Jesus about everything that takes place in your place. 

 

The promise of God for you is sure and certain.  He says, “I will come and heal him”.  Received this word in faith and you shall see the glory of God!  He will surely make his presence felt during this month in the midst of your challenges, conflicts and confusions and cause you to praise and glorify his holy name! Amen.

 

May the Lord God bless you and the members of your family and make this March month a miraculous month!

 

In Christ, with love and prayers

Vinod and Nanthini

God’s Shadow Ministries

9840011374, 9840995057

HE LEADS ME IN THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS | PROMISE WORD | OCTOBER 24 (ENGLISH)

 PROMISE – OCT 2024

IN THE PATH OF RIGTEOUSNESS

Psa 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Beloved Children of God, Our good God has graciously helped us to cross through nine months of this year and step into a new month – October 24.   The Lord who has led us thus far as Ebenezer will also lead us henceforth.  Even for this new month, the blessed word of promise which the Lord has given to us is “God leads me in the path of righteousness for his name sake” Amen! Well, as a sheep we all would expect our shepherd to lead us into “green pastures” and “still waters”.  These two experiences speak about a “life of prosperity” and “life of peace”.  Many a time, we think this is all what we need in our life and we are content with the same.  But the Psalmist says that the shepherd would also lead its flock or his sheep “in the path of righteousness”.  If God is leading us, it should be a right and a royal path only, right? 

Pathway of Life

Exo 12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 

Life is a journey, in many ways.  The children of Israel after they were delivered from the Egyptian bondage were led by Moses on a journey towards the Promised Land. It was truly a long and tedious journey.  The Bible says, it took them nearly 40 years to traverse the distance which they should have otherwise crossed in about 11 day time.   Although the murmuring had caused delay, the Lord God, according to his own divine purpose, chartered to them a wilderness route map which included several difficulties and dangers. He did not take them on an easy way or a short cut.  By being their guide in the form of ‘pillar of cloud’ and ‘pillar of fire’, he made sure that they do not miss the way.

Right path or Ridiculous Path?

Num 21:4  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 

The joy and the celebration of the people of Israel who exited Egypt with dreams of entering into their new land were jettisoned when they encountered the great ‘Red Sea’ before them.  The question was not just about crossing a sea; it was about the enemies who were behind them.  I suppose the phrase, “between the devil and the deep blue sea’ might have originated only here.    But we know that the Lord led them in a miraculous way by parting the sea and making them walk as though on a dry land. Even though God was making a way for them in wilderness, the Bible says that people got distressed because of the way in which they were being led.   Why he took them by that way?  Was it the right way?

For his name’s sake

Psa 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works. 

All the ways of the Lord may not be graspable or even palatable to us. But the Bible says that the Lord can never go wrong in his ways.  Here, it is not just about his thoughts, plans or purposes, even the ways in which he leads his people will be right.  

When the Psalmist speaks about his Lord, who he refers as is shepherd, he says that he will lead me ‘in the path of righteousness for his name sake’.  What is meant by his name sake?  In simple words, he leads me in the path of righteousness because of his name.  Here, the name of God speaks about his nature.  E.g., because he is a just God, he will lead me in the just way; because he is a holy God, he will lead me in the holy way; because is a loving God, he will lead me in the way of love. He cannot lead us in a way which is contrary to his nature. 

Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and the way to eternal life told his followers to take up their cross and follow him (Luk 9:23).  Yes. If you have indeed accepted Jesus as your personal savior, you have to go by the way of cross. In other words, way of   sorrow and suffering for his namesake. But the way of cross also leads us to a blessed destination – eternal life. Just as Paul says, “I have fought a good fight. (meaning I have come by a way of intense struggle).  But I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith. Now, there is kept for me a “Crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:7)

Three Dimensions

Pro 12:28  In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. 

The Bible says that there is a way which seems right to man but the end thereof are ways of death (Pro 14:12, 16:25)   In other words, when we walk in the ways of God, however complex or confusing it may seem to our mind, we shall not suffer defeat or see death.  But if we discount the same to walk in ways which appear right to us, then we may have to pay the price for it.  In the Garden of Eden, it seemed right for Eve to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  But that was against the pronounced way of the Lord.  We know what happened to her and Adam? They fell into sin and were eternally separated from God.

Therefore, in life, we must learn to not only distinguish between the ways of man and ways of God; we also should choose to walk in the ways of God.  Even for our meditation for this month, we are going to look at three ways or three paths of the Lord in which we should walk.  We should pray for God’s grace and guidance to not only know these ways but also walk in the same.

I would like to call it as below

1. Excellent way (Truth way)

2. Exclusive way (Even way)

3. Everlasting way (Eternal way)

1. Excellent way (Truth way) – A prayer of submission

Psa_25:5  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

What is truth?  In Psalms 119:142, the Psalmist says, “Thy righteousness is everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth”.  Every commandment, precept, statute, counsel and law of the Lord is the truth.  A Child of God should learn to walk not in the ways, which is pleasing to him/her, but in the way of truth. 

About Abraham the Lord said to his son Isaac, “because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws (Gen 26:5)” I will bless you and multiply your seed.   Walking in the way of truth is nothing but hearing his voice and obeying him.  Abraham became a friend of God only because of his obedience to God.  Moses became a deliverer for God only because he obeyed God in everything. Unlike the personal encounters which Abraham and others had with God, we may not receive ‘voice notes’ from the Lord.  The Word of God is his recorded voice.   The more we read, the more we should apply our mind to it to walk in the truth. Just as there was a reward for Abraham and his son Isaac for walking in the way of truth, we shall also receive our rewards. Therefore, let us decide to not only know the way of truth but also to walk in the same. 

2. Exclusive way (Even way) – A prayer of consultation

Psalm 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 

A plain path or a level path is what the Psalmist is praying about in this verse. What does it mean?  Barnes Notes on the Bible comments, ‘a way of plainness”. That is, a straight or smooth path.  In other words, the Psalmist prays that he might be enabled to act wisely and right.  Yes, many a time, we need wisdom and discretion, especially while dealing with our enemies.  Being level headed, cool and composed while dealing with our adversaries.  Paul specifically warns that we should be careful and vigilant to stand against the ‘craftiness’ of the evil one.  He emphasizes that our warfare is not against ‘flesh and blood’ but against unseen spiritual forces.  And the weapons of warfare are also powerful enough to pull down the strongholds of satan (2 Cor 10:4). King David, the one who wrote this Psalm, demonstrated this many times in his life.  As a boy when he volunteered to go for a one-on-one with the Giant Goliath, he did not go in the usual way. He took the battle from the terrestrial to celestial level.  He did not use spear or a sword but only a sling. But the path he took was the even path which the enemies cannot decipher.  Many a time, when he wanted to go against a particular enemy or go after a particular nation, he would not go by the strength of his army, but would always enquire of the Lord. In life, many times we get entrapped in ever so many debts, commitments and even wrong relationships all because of our failure to seek God’s counsel before time. The devil would entice by showing things which are unreal in getting into some business decisions or even looking for an alliance.    At every stage, in every critical juncture of our life, we must learn the habit of seeking God’s counsel, God’s mind, and God’s will on the matter.  If we proceed basis the same, then our path will really be smooth. Even if a storm may come or a wind may blow, the Lord will still and make it calm for us. Hallelujah!

3. Everlasting Way – A prayer of introspection

Psa 139:24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! 

 

What is an everlasting way?  A way that lasts forever or a way which has no end.   If you look at human life, we do not live on this earth for ever and ever. Our life span is limited and in the present era, at the most one may touch 90 and that too only rarely.  In the natural sense, every think has an expiry date and nothing lasts forever. However, with regard to our life, Lord Jesus promised that “if we believe in him, we shall eternal life  - a life without end”. This we will not enjoy here but in heaven after we leave this earth, either through our death or be caught up in rapture.  

Once a rich young ruler came and asked Jesus, “What should I do to attain eternal life?”  Jesus said, you should keep all the commandments of the law.  The young man submitted that he has been doing the same without fail.  While commending him for the same, Jesus said, there is just one more thing that you must do. He said, “Sell all your wealth and distribute to the poor”.  Being a rich man, he did not expect such an answer from the Lord.  He went back disappointed. 

Jesus was not introducing a new commandment or teaching a new doctrine about selling all our wealth to give the poor.  He was essentially pointing out that it is not about how religious he was, it was all about how responsive he is to the voice of God.  The young man was not only disappointed but he was totally disagreeable to such proposition.  But the Psalmist is praying and pleading with God to search his heart and remove anything that stands between him and eternal life.

We may be pious, passionate and even people of tireless pursuit in serving the Lord. But is there something missing? The Church at Ephesus had many accolades.  Yet, God pointed out that she had lost her first love.  Through John the Apostle, , the Lord brought to attention the short-comings of those end time churches.  If they set things right, they will not miss their crown.

Just as God was gracious enough in revealing to that young man through Jesus or writing it down through John the beloved, even today he will reveal to you the things that which you should set right, surrender and shape up in your journey with the Lord.  Today, if you pray sincerely and seek the face of the Lord, the Lord would surely reveal that “one” thing that you should deal and rectify.

Lord who leads

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is not someone who just gives hands over a command, shows direction and remains indifferent and disconnected at his end. He is not someone who doesn’t bother when we are tottering in the middle of the sea.  He wants to make you, mold you, guide you and lead you in every walk of life.

Even as we get into a new month, let us submit our plans, dreams and desires into his hands and ask him to just lead us (and our children) in the path of his truth, in the path of his counsel and in the path of his correction for his name’s sake.

Surely, he shall lead and guide you continually

Thanking you,

Yours,

Vinod Kumar

God’s Shadow Ministries