Introduction: The statement « God is with His people » asserts that God really loves His people, so He does not forsake them nor leave them on their own, especially in times of trouble such as adversity, diseases, hardship, calamity and above all death. God is really with His people, so whatever happens to them, His love does not change. He made a great covenant which sounds like an oath with His people, as He did with Joshua: « I will never leave you nor forsake you » Jos.1: 5 / Heb.13: 5. Likewise, Jesus comforted His disciples before the hard time He went through: « I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you » Joh.14: 18. All these words ascertain that God does not forget nor abandon His people. Because He already accepted to be with us and to be on our side, to make common cause with us so that we can testify like Paul: « In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us » Rom. 8: 37. God’s compassionate love toward His people is indeed great and His strength and power to save them is no less. To this end, for all purposes concerning every aspect of their life whether it is an action to take or a mission to fulfill or a testimony to give or when facing hardship or earning one’s living, there are the Promises the Lord gave long ago to the ancestors and to His servants, so that His people’s faith may stand firm and that He may show His glory and His love for them. Let’s sum up with the promises Jesus gave His disciples: « In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world » Joh.16: 33; and also: « Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age » Mt. 28: 20. Believe that God is trustworthy, He who says: « For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior » Isa. 43: 3.
Monday 12: God is with His people.
« For I am with you to rescue and save you, declares the LORD » Jer. 15: 20.
Reading 1 : 2 Tim. 3: 10-17. Reading 2 : Jer. 15: 19-21. Preaching : Jer. 15: 20-21.
Introduction: His people are precious to God so He is with them. He uplifts them to become witnesses who bear His Name in the midst of this world which does not know God. This is the Promise He gave Joshua who came after Moses: « Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with wherever you go » Jos. 1: 9.
Tuesday 13: God is with those who do His will.
« But only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven » Mt. 7: 21.
Reading 1: Jam. 2: 20-26. Reading 2 : Mt. 7: 15-21. Preaching : Mt. 7: 21.
Introduction: The Father’s will is that the children should glorify Him by obeying Him and His word. In this respect, He says: « A son honors his father and a slave his master. If I am a Father, where is the honor due Me ? If I am a master, where is the respect due Me ? says the LORD Almighty » Mal. 1: 6. The children who love the Father are eager to keep His commands and do His will, like Jesus who said : « Not as I will but as You will » Mat. 26: 39. And They are confident that the Father’s Heart is wide open for them to answer their prayer (1 Joh. 5: 14).
Wednesday 14: God is on His people’s side, justifying them.
« He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world » 1 Joh. 2: 2.
Reading 1: Zac. 3: 1-5. Reading 2: 1 Joh. 1: 8-10, 2: 1-2. Preaching : 1 Joh. 2: 1-2.
Introduction: It is written : « For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him » Joh. 3: 17. Indeed, Jesus did not come to condemn but « to seek and to save the lost » Luke 19: 10. For that purpose, « having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us, He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross » Col. 2:14. Believe Him for « whoever believes in Him is not condemned » Joh. 3: 18.
Thursday 15: God is on His people’s side, and makes them triumphant.
« If God is for us, who can be against us ? » Rom. 8: 31.
Reading 1: Num. 23: 19-26. Reading 2 : Rom. 8: 28-32. Preaching : Rom. 8: 31.
Introduction: The Holy Scripture says that the children of Israel were victorious in wars thanks to God’s hand with them. Indeed, He is with His people, those who accept to make common cause with Him and remain relying on Him. The Promise He gave to Israel was: « I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run » Exo. 23: 27. « Stand firm, let nothing move you » 1 Cor. 15: 58. The LORD is with you.
Friday 16: God is with His people, blessing them.
« The Lord bless you and keep you » Num. 6:24.
Reading 1: Psa. 23: 1-6. Reading 2: Num. 6: 22-27. Preaching : Num. 6: 24.
Introduction: Abraham was a man of obedience to God. And because he accepted to offer his only son Isaacs as a sacrifice, God exalted Him and gave Him the promise, saying: « I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of your enemies and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me » Gen. 22: 17-18.
Saturday 17: God is with His people, and makes them heirs of His kingdom.
« Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ » Rom. 8: 17.
Reading 1: Mat. 25: 31-40. Reading 2: Rom. 8: 12-17. Preaching : Rom. 8: 16-17.
Introduction: Jesus said to His disciples: « If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am » Joh. 14: 3. He surely does this to His faithful people because « those He predestined, He also called, those He called, He also justified, those He justified, those He justified, He also glorified » Rom. 8: 30.
Nota: This pericop is published weekly in Malagasy, French and English, and can be seen on www.hifi-madanet.org and on Facebook “HiFi – english”. Listen to “hifiradio.org” 24/24 hours, 7/7 days. © Madanet