ODJ: praise in the slum
December 4, 2009
The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever (v.5).
READ: Psalm 100
More than a million people live in Kibera, East Africa’s largest slum, located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya. A railroad track divides the massive area in half and, when no train is chugging through, also serves as a walking path for Kibera residents and visitors.
One day, as I was trekking down the track, a man in a shabby suit approached my friend and me. “I’ve just come from church,” he proclaimed. Appearing to be oblivious to the horrible stench that permeates his s600-acre slum home, he thanked us for coming by and added with a smile, “The Lord loves us and will provide for us.” He then shook our hands and walked away.
Surely this man craved better circumstances, but somehow he could still “acknowledge that the Lord is God” and that the Lord will take care of him “as a sheep of his pasture” (v.3).
His secret? Perhaps, more often than most of us, he has searched for water and found none; then, with a parched tongue, he’s cried out to God for provision—and He delivered. Perhaps a mere cup at first. But then more. Of the poor and needy, God says, “I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. . . . Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground” (Isaiah 41:17-18).
Though this man was a stranger, his life and faith have greatly inspired me. He showed me it’s possible to praise God while living in squalor. We can, regardless of our physical circumstances, “worship the Lord with gladness . . . singing with joy” (v.2). “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever” (v.5). —Roxanne Robbins
What verses in the Bible encourage you to trust in God’s provision, even when it can’t be seen? How will you praise God today as you face an uncertain future?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS FeedRelated
ODJ: on fire
July 8, 2010 Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out (v.13). READ: Leviticus 6:8-13 When you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn. —John Wesley Savannah, Georgia, has always been a charming city. Throughout the downtown area, its graceful squares [...]
ODJ: contempt
February 21, 2012 “Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (v.8). READ: Malachi 1:6-14 Here are some things people might say to excuse themselves from worshiping and serving God: “I’m tired.” “I feel unappreciated.” “I don’t want to do it.” Would we use [...]
ODJ: no babbling
June 4, 2010 When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again (v.7). READ: Matthew 6:1-13 The Lord’s Prayer is well-known and often quoted (Matthew 6:9-13). It has become, however, a victim of its own popularity. While [...]
ODJ: coyote wild
August 12, 2010 You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do (v.12). READ: Romans 8:2-14 I live in a neighborhood where people mow their lawns, plant flowers, and clean up after their dogs. But sometimes at night, we hear eerie noises. I’m not talking about the neighbor’s beagle yelping at [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米
Isaiah 40 is such a great passage that encourages me, but one verse that stands out to me is verse 8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” It is so encouraging to know that the things of this world will come and go but we have a God that will always be there for us, no matter how hard the situations!