Category: Shepherd Daily Devotional

Go back to the Word.

After Israel was divided, the Kings misled their people. When Josiah became king of Judah, he sought God. Under his leadership, the Book of the Law was found, which had been missing.

When the Book was read to the king, he tore his clothes in fear because he discovered they had not been acting in accordance with what was in the Book (2Chronicles 34:14-15). It became clear that if the Book of the law had not been found, Josiah wouldn’t have known how to lead his people.

Today, many Christians have gone astray because they do not study God’s word. Perhaps, what you need to do in order to get out of your current troubles is to start reading God’s word.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Many people perish, not because they lack education.

The Scriptures say, “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).  Notice it didn’t say, for lack of education. But for lack of knowledge.

In other words, God’s people were perishing because they didn’t know how-to live-in harmony with God’s laws. Anyone, whether rich or educated will perish if they do not know God’s word.

Some years back I felt as if I was perishing even though people thought I was successful. But deep inside of me, I knew something was missing. When I began to study God’s word, I discovered a new kind of knowledge that was so different from everything I was ever taught in school. Then I found peace and a clear purpose. God’s word is the best!

Written by Ben Dankaka

Fear not, for I have redeemed you.

Sometimes, it is the not the crises in our lives that hurts us the most but the fear of it. I remember when my mum was very ill. At a point, my blood pressure rose.  But what made me hypertensive wasn’t caused by anything else other than the fear of losing my mother.

To overcome any crisis, fight your fears. Unfortunately, fear isn’t something you can eliminate with medication. You’ve got to get God’s word.

In Isaiah 43, God said, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” Then He said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” You see, God may not always prevent crisis from hitting us. But when crisis comes, He rescues us.

Written by Ben Dankaka

God wants us to enjoy all the nice things of life.

Although Jesus had told His disciples He would rise after three days, Peter ignored that part and instead, focused on the suffering and death (Mark 8:31-38).

Peter probably wondered how “pain” and “gain” could ever match up. Possibly, what he thought was that Jesus would have a smooth ride to the top. Peter acted like most of us usually do. We like to think of life as easy and blissful, all the time.

No doubt, God wants us to enjoy the nice things of life. He also wants us to succeed in whatever we lay our hands to do. But He never promised that we would get all that we desire without hurdles.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Your pain will soon become your gain.

When Jesus told His disciples, He would suffer and “must be killed and after three days rise again”, they were deeply troubled.

Peter, in particular had rejected the prophecy. But Jesus said, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mark 8:31-38).

Truly, Peter didn’t know how God does His things. If he was aware, he wouldn’t have been so troubled. Instead, he would have focused on the resurrection; which was part of the prophecy. Notice that Jesus didn’t only teach about His death; He talked about His triumph over death. You see, for every pain that life brings our way, God turns it into a gain.

Focus on the good side.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

One time, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23-27). Obviously, Jesus wasn’t referring to a physical cross. Specifically, Jesus wanted us to know that we would have to go through pain, if we follow Him.

Though we are bound to experience some pain, Christ assures us that our suffering will not be in vain. But it is important for us to realize that the cross isn’t just any kind of trouble.

If your suffering is as a result of your selfish acts, then it isn’t a cross. Don’t suffer for the wrong reasons.

Written by Ben Dankaka

Just as a lion can be cornered by hyenas, you too can be cornered.

As a kid, I was often intrigued by stories of lions. But as I grew up, I discovered that they don’t always win, even though they are powerful. Like lions, we are built to conquer. But life can still hit us with a crisis, capable of weakening us.

But when we are at our weakest point, our ability to bounce back will largely be determined by our relationship with God. The psalmist said, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34).  

No matter what you are going through; you can get back on your feet if you would only trust God.

Written by Ben Dankaka

If you are not persistent, crisis will make you quit.

No matter how talented you are; you are going to incur obstacles. No doubt, there will be times you wouldn’t feel like getting up from bed. And if you are not persistent, you will quit.

Being persistent is important because the little steps you take each day will eventually mount up and force its way, pulling you out of any crisis.

The apostle Paul knew this principle. In letter to Timothy, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the good faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Paul acknowledged the fact that his journey was a battle, but like a sportsperson, he was persistent.

Written by Ben Dankaka

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.

There was a time I was praying and it seemed like God had shut his door on me. Instead of moving ahead, I was stuck.

If you ever find yourself in a situation like that, wait quietly. Even if you think God has abandoned you, continue to wait. That was exactly what I did after I stumbled on the scripture that says, “it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Read Lamentation 3:1-32). 

I was inspired by that verse because it captures the story of a people who were going through deep pain, yet were hopeful that God will redeem them.  Don’t grumble; wait on God.

Written by Ben Dankaka

God had great plans for Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. But he was a small Jewish boy who only knew how to run errands.  To prepare him, God had to let him go through crises until he got to the very place God had planned for him.

Just as we enroll in a school in order to prepare ourselves for opportunities, God also enrolls us in His school. In our schools, we pay money but in God’s school, the cost is patience.

In the same way that our skills were tested by our teachers, God also allows life to test our character, before He promotes us (Psalm 105:17; Genesis 45:7).

Written by Ben Dankaka