DAILY MANNA THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2020 WHEN CHALLENGES ARISE BY PST. KUMUYI

DAILY MANNA

THURSDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2020

WHEN CHALLENGES ARISE

TEXT:JOHN 12:27-50

KEY VERSE: “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour” (JOHN 12:27).

 In today's text, Christ envisions the ultimate task that brought Him to the world: the agonising vicarious death on the cross for degenerate man. Of this fast approaching moment, He says, "Now is my soul troubled". But He must do it because, "For this cause came I unto this hour" (verse 27).

 In addition to this battle within, our Lord had to contend with some gruelling external oppositions. The people disputed with themselves over the source of the voice that comforted Him from heaven. A group claimed it was a thunder. Others said it was an angel. Another point of discussion was the question posed by the multitude: "Who is the Son of man?"

 There will be both open and covert attempts to frustrate us from walking the path of holiness and the crucifixion of one's flesh. The people around us will throw in alluring philosophies and doctrines to engage us in disputations that are not spiritually beneficial, and thus limit our time and energy for an absorbing study of the word of God and evangelism.

 Yet, we must overcome them by following Jesus' formula of steadfast, prayerful and watchful gaze on the "cause" for which we are saved. We must be dead to the promptings of the world, whether appreciated or otherwise, so that we can declare with our Lord: "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God", (Hebrews 10:9). When we have this attitude of unbending determination to follow our Lord, we will triumph over life's challenges and problems.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Life’s challenges are not insurmountable if you have Jesus Christ.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LUKE 9-10