Strengthen Day 7 - Saturday - March 5, 2022

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

Have you ever lost God? I mean, have you ever looked for Him and not found Him? Isn’t He omnipresent? This verse seems to imply that there could be times when He may not be found and doesn’t feel near. Psalm 138:6 explains: “Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.” Similarly, Jesus did not have a problem with the wealth of the Pharisees, but He rebuked them for their haughtiness and lack of generosity.

Even for Christians, prosperity and/or self-sufficiency can be a slippery slope into pride and haughtiness; which God hates. Should we, then, take vows of poverty? No, God’s promises are often to prosper us and pour out riches from Heaven to those who live by His statutes. Indeed, Psalm 34:10 says: “The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.”
Rather, recognize God’s purpose for prosperity. If He is near to the needy, to the outcast, and to the sick; how can your prosperity, both spiritual and material, be used in His name? For, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27 NLT)

On the other hand, if you are in need, take heart! God sees you and has drawn near to you. He has anticipated your need and has already made provision for your deliverance. Be encouraged and “call on Him while He is near”!

Reflection:
A prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for drawing near in our community! Please bring justice to the poor and save the children of the needy. Break the bonds of their oppressor. Open my eyes to see where my prosperity can be used to these ends. Amen.