The Pilgrim’s progress is an epic journey faithfully adapted to the modern-day. Christian faces distractions, challenges, and perils at every turn of the way. But ends victorious, with helpful guides, as he stays on the narrow path to the distant Celestial City.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast and kneeled down, and prayed (Luke 22:41).
Our opening verse reminds of what the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 3:14-15: “I bow my knees before the Father of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” Learn to bow your knees in prayer. Sometimes people go through tough times and severe persecution. The way to deal with such situations is on your knees in prayer.
In Luke 18:1-8, the Lord Jesus emphasized the importance of persistence in prayer. This is because being the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, you can change anything through prayer. When Satan stirs persecution against us, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Never allow any crisis or situation take your attention such that you begin to mull it over, feeling helpless. One minute with the Holy Ghost will make a far much greater impact than five hours of melancholy and sad cogitations. So, pray in, and with, the spirit. “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray…” (James 5:13). Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit….”
It doesn’t matter the persecution or how unsavoury the economy of your nation is; keep praying about it. Ecclesiastes 11:3 says, “If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.”
Keep watering the clouds with prayer; soon enough, the condensation will take place and there’ll be a deluge: the answers will come pouring down.
PRAYER / CONFESSION
The Lord reigns and rules in the affairs of men. The Lord is strong and mighty, the God of all flesh, and there’s nothing too difficult for Him. He’s the God of possibilities, and He’s given me the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus to effect the changes I desire. Therefore, I live an ever-winning life, with dominion over Satan and his cohorts, spreading the Gospel of Christ in my world and beyond, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
The song never late by Deborah speaks of how God has perfect timing, He may not do it at a time we want Him to but he does it on time, never late He does all things excellently, letting us Know Delay is not Denial.
Lyrics
Mighty God, I Bless Your Name Miracle God I Give You Praise You’re Never Late Always on Time All-Powerful, I Worship You
Almighty God I Trust You, Lord This Delay is not Denial I know you Have the Final Say Oh Faithful God You Never Fail
My God is Never Late Never Late, Never Late My God is Never Late He’s Always on Time
My God is Never Late Never Late, Never Late He’s Never Late He’s Always on Time
Almighty God, I Depend on You Miracle God No One can do the Things You do You Never Deceive No No No No No You Never Disappoint Me Oh, Glorious, I Worship You
I Call You The Unchanging Changer Covenant Keeping God Healer of my Scars Oh, You Never Lie, No No No A Living Proof of Grace Is what I am Who on Earth, Can withhold my Praise
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
I Doesn’t Matter How Long It Takes I Doesn’t Matter How Long I’ll Wait I Doesn’t Matter How Long I’ll Trust You Cause You’re Always on Time
(Always on Time)
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
I Doesn’t Matter How Long It Takes I Doesn’t Matter How Long I’ll Wait I Doesn’t Matter How Long I’ll Trust You Cause You’re Always on Time
(Always on Time)
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Always on Time
Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Always on Time
Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Always on Time
Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Ooh Oh Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh, Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
(My God is) Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
My God is Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late Always on Time
My God is Never Late Never Late, Never Late Never Late He’s Always on Time
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD (Isaiah 54:17).
This opening verse is one of the blessings of Israel’s millennial kingdom under the Messiah; but it’s true of us in Christ today. In Him, we live and move and have our being. We’re guaranteed divine protection from all weapons of any nature, formed or used against us.
In Christianity, we dwell in Christ. Christ is our home. In Christ, we’re in safety. We’re immune from hurt or harm. It’s like what God did for the children of Israel in the Old Testament. Exodus 12:22-23 says, “And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”
He told the children of Israel to stay inside their houses because the death angel was coming to town; there would be no safety outside. Then He instructed them to mark their doorposts and lintels with blood to prevent them from being destroyed along with the Egyptians.
They did as God instructed and they were preserved. As long as they stayed where God told them to stay, the death angel couldn’t touch them. It’s the same thing today; as long as you’re in Christ—as long as you stay in the truth of God’s Word—death, evil and peril will “pass over” you. You’ll live perpetually in victory.
When the reality of the Word and who you are in Christ dawns on you, you suddenly come to a place of absolute confidence and independence, where you realize that you’re superior to Satan and nothing he does can affect you. This is our life in Christ. Glory to God!
PRAYER / CONFESSION
I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and under the shadow of the Almighty. He is my refuge and my fortress. I’m forever protected and fortified against all evil, wickedness, and corrupting influences in the world because I dwell in Christ, the place of safety, glory, dominion and everlasting joy—where I reign and rule over circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Sikhumbuzo Praise is a rising music minister who is based in South Africa. He was born in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, and studied at Maritzburg high school before furthering his studies at the University of kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN).
During an exclusive interview with Pozytv Gospel, Sikhumbuzo shared that his love for music started in High School but he could not show it fully because he was not confident enough to pursue it. During that time he thought he was not ready and kept on procrastinating, but God was patient with him and molded him into the person he is today.
He then understood that he was called to be a music minister by God to fulfill his purpose in Christ to lead many to Christ through the ministry of worship and praise, so he answered the call from God and has been ministering professionally for 3 years and has collaborated with various artists from other countries.
He mentioned that His ministry is mostly focused on winning souls for Jesus Christ and for many to know and experience the love of Christ because his first encounter with Christ was priceless.
He recalls a time he was hospitalized, and how scary and lonely it was, but when he turned to Christ he was healed and got to know Christ on a different level.
He then decided to fully partner with Christ, fully committing himself to the Lord Jesus. When asked why he had chosen gospel music out of all the available genres, he said, ” Gospel brings hope and deals with souls and causes you to have a relationship with Christ, and the word expressed through your words of worship and praise.”
Sikumbuzo praise has released 3 singles titled UJesu uyalalela (Jesus listens), You are Holy and Ngeke(never). Of the 3 singles, his favorite is “UJesu uyalalela“, “because Jesus is always there and always comes through for me”. He further went on to say that “every storm is a school”.
When asked about the inspiration behind his music ministry, he responded that his songs are all written in a place of gratefulness.
The advice he left for those wanting to be gospel artists, but are procrastinating because of the fear of people was that ” knowledge is power, make sure you attend music workshops, be knowledgeable about the career and surround yourself with the right people and work hard”.
His music is available on Spotify and other music platforms.