Thursday 10^th April – Thursday of the 5^th week of Lent

Reflection: Genesis 17:3-9

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

Patience is not passivity, but a strong endurance in the face of seeming defeat and disappointment; it is a refusal to be crushed by the blows of circumstances. “He, who believes, does not hasten,” and “In your patience possess your souls”. The possession of the soul describes the state in which a person has full command and undisturbed enjoyment of himself in opposition to outside influences, which disturb and decompose his peace of mind. Patience then is a submissive waiting, a frame of mind which is willing to wait because it knows whom it serves.

God called Abram when he was 75 years old to leave his homeland to a strange land and promised to make him father of all nations and to bless him greatly. Abram left for Canaan, and after years of staying in the land and the promises yet unfulfilled; Abram questioned the promises and God reaffirmed them (Genesis 15:2-7).  After 25 years of staying in the land, God gave him a son. Through his trials God taught him patience, and through patience and hope in God against all odds, came his merit; the fulfillment of God’s promises for him.

Dear Friends, our faith in God should lead us to trust Him even in the midst of adversity. We must not allow our trials and crosses to possess our souls; rather we should possess our souls with patience and hope in God. Let us stand on the promises that cannot fail, even when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, let us persevere and hope in God who is more than able, that we may receive our reward; the fulfilment of God’s promises for us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me when I get impatient and too weak to carry on, help me to remain faithful to you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 22 – How does one go about believing?

Someone who believes is seeking a personal union with God and is ready to believe God in everything that he shows (reveals) about himself.

HIDE A TREASURE: “He did not doubt nor did he distrust the promise of God, and by being strong in Faith, he gave glory to God: he was convinced that He who had given the promise had power to fulfil it” Romans 4:20-21 CCB

Readings for today: Genesis 17:3-9; Psalm105: 4-9; John 8:51-59