It is wonderful when we receive best wishes from a friend or someone who cares about us; which makes the message, close and personal, which often sounds like a blessing, made up of loving thoughts and aspirations bestowed upon another; especially if the person asks God, to bless abundantly. These were the type of greetings Paul sent to his beloved believers. The ones he had nurtured to accept Jesus, as their friend and Saviour, before he had to leave them, to go teach others the same saving message. How good it would be, if more often, we greeted friends in this meaningful way.
So as we read a little of Paul’s writings here, I plan to take them for a personal message of blessing; why don’t you do that also. Colossians, 1: 9 – 12 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” The next verses are not so much, best wishes framed in prayer, but instead give a joyful recounting of what God has done for His own, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Whilst on this earth, God delights to hear every sincere prayer that we make putting our affairs, and physical body in His care, as well as the prayers about our salvation and redemption. I am lifted up mentally when I remember and give praise for God’s interventions on my behalf. Micah 7: 7, 8 “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”
No need any more to be fearful about anything (though it sometimes takes the body a while to catch up with this head knowledge.) God is more powerful than any power of darkness that may beset us, and He just waits for us to believe and in trusting faith, ask for deliverance. In prayer times and in times of special need, I find a great stability of spirit, to read and claim Bible promises; especially these oft repeated words of Jesus, John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
God I know that You have heard my every prayer, and will be my strength and stay, keeping me safe, because my life and affairs are in Your care, by my request and Your invitation!