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Intention

To recognise that regardless of our failings, God is faithful to us.

Scripture

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’

The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline.”

– Lamentations 3:22–27 (NLT)

Reflection

In the book of beginnings, it is recorded that “God looked over all he had made, and He saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31). This happened on the sixth day.

I think this probably happened about 5 or 6 pm on Friday afternoon during creation week (or perhaps a little later), in the cool of the evening.

Then, for an undisclosed number of weeks, God would visit the garden in the cool evening to enjoy being with Adam and Eve, and they with Him.

Can you even imagine the conversations? What an amazing time! How much I would like to have had that opportunity.

Then, maybe through familiarity or by not comprehending how great their Father was, Adam and Eve disobeyed clear directives. As a result, sin entered the world and this daily time with God ended.

Yet this didn’t change God’s desire to have daily loving communication with people. And because of His faithfulness, He made a way.

This was outworked by Jesus entering into our time and space, and making the way back to God possible through His blood.

Life is complicated. We mess up. Sometimes we even give up on God. But God never gives up on us.

That’s what faithfulness is.

This doesn’t mean we will avoid the consequences of foolish actions or escape paying the price for our many mistakes.

These are part of the natural laws that the God of wisdom knitted into the fabric of the universe, right from the beginning.

Faithfulness means that while we were still sinners and far from God, He loved us and drew us towards Himself in the cross of Christ.

How many times has the nation of Israel forgotten to live in the wisdom of God and gone their own way?

How many times did the consequences of rejecting God’s clearly communicated instructions for having an abundant life, end up in misery, sickness and death?

Yet His faithfulness was always closer than breathed air, and they were lifted out of their mess when they waited for and sought Him for salvation.

So it is for us, and our families, here, now, in 2024.

Jesus is the way, the truth and life, now and forever!

As we travel through May, GO Month, we are coming towards the 18th, GO Day. On this day we have the opportunity to join His family in the National Day of Prayer.

The overarching focus is to “Be still, and know that I am God”. As we wait for Him, remember the promise from Lamentations. “The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25–26).

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Prayer

Father, Your ways are uncomfortable to live by in this ungodly society. We ask You for boldness to live Your way.

May we bring Your peace and presence to everyone we meet through the power of Your Word, Jesus.

May we always be ready to give a good reason for our faith, with grace and humility.

Amen.

Author Bio

Rodney Hall grew up in the mid-north of South Australia within a family of faith with a long heritage of Christian service. He loves to worship the One true God and see Him change people, communities and nations. His passion is showing people how Jesus asks us to partner with Him in prayer to release His grace.

Prayer Points and Purpose for GO Month 2024

1. To worship Jesus and give extravagant praise to God. 1 Chron 16:23–31.
2. To pray for revival, repentance and deliverance for Australia and for millions to find Christ. Acts 2:1–41.
3. To pray for five people by name to find Christ and share the gospel with those five in May. Matt 28:18–20.

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

Join us for our nightly Zoom prayer call:

DATES: Every night in May

TIME: 8 PM (AEST); 7:30 PM (ACST); 6 PM (AWST)

ZOOM URL LINK: https://zoom.us/j/776881184

Daily devotions are brought to you by the Canberra Declaration.

View GO Month 2024 devotionals on the Daily Declaration website.

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