💥AATHAVAN 🌳Meditation - No. 1910
📆 May
01, Friday, 2026
"With the kind You show
Yourself kind; With the blameless You show Yourself blameless; With the pure
You show Yourself pure, And with the perverted You show Yourself astute."
(Psalm 18:25-26)
It cannot be said that every
teacher and student in a school likes the headmaster. Each person views him
from a different perspective. Some may see him as a "Hitler" or a
tyrant, while others see him as a good administrator and a talented leader.
People often give him various nicknames based on the thoughts of their own hearts.
To be specific, to the
talented and hardworking teachers, that Headmaster appears as a good man.
However, to the teachers who do not teach properly and take frequent leaves, he
appears as a bad and harsh man. Similarly, among the students, those who study
well will view him as a good person.
In the same way, God appears
to people according to their own mental state. To the merciful, He appears
merciful; to those who live a blameless life, He appears blameless; to the
pure, He appears pure; and to the perverted and wicked, He appears "perverted"
(or astute/crooked). In essence, God manifests to each individual according to
their own heart's condition.
Yet, many do not realize
this easily. This is why a person walking in wickedness often blames God when
bad things happen, rather than realizing their own mistake. Some say in
frustration, "Where are God's eyes? He doesn't even have ears; that's why He
doesn't hear my prayer." They forget to examine the state of their own
lives.
Beloved, there is no change
or variation in God. We read:
"Every good thing given
and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17)
If He seems to show
"perverseness" toward us, it is essential that we identify the flaws
within ourselves and correct them.
In alignment with today’s
meditation verse, Jesus Christ said:
"For in the way you
judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured
to you." (Matthew 7:2)
Yes, God will measure to us
according to the measure we use. If we are kind, blameless, and pure, we
receive accordingly. If our actions are perverse and against Him, we will
receive the corresponding result of that perversity from Him.
We all receive the same
light from the sun. However, if you wear black-tinted glasses, the world looks
black; if you wear green glasses, it looks green. The Lord is merciful,
gracious, and slow to anger. Did He not say this to Moses?
"Then the Lord passed
by in front of him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and
gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.'" (Exodus
34:6)
How does He appear to us? As
a God of kindness, mercy, grace, and patience? Or as a God of perversity?
Instead of shifting the blame onto God, let us examine ourselves and correct
our ways.
💥 "Aathavan" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1911
📆 Saturday, May 02, 2026
"Now He who supplies
seed to the Sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for
sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians
9:10)
It is God who gives the
appropriate rewards for the actions we perform. When a farmer sows, it is
essential that the crop yields both food for his consumption and seeds for his
next planting. It is God’s role to ensure this happens; He is the one who causes
it to multiply and increases the harvest.
In the same way, the rewards
for the good deeds we perform are granted by God. The verses preceding today’s
meditation passage emphasizes this:
"And God is able to
make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in
everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written,
'He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.'"
(2 Corinthians 9:8–9)
The acts of charity we
assist with and the good deeds we perform are the "seeds" we sow.
When we sow in this manner, He who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for
food will provide us with the necessary seed, multiply it, and increase the
harvest of our righteousness.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also
spoke of this principle:
"Give, and it will be
given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken
together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured
to you in return." (Luke 6:38)
The Apostle Paul wrote
today's meditation verse specifically while discussing the ministry of giving
to the saints (2 Corinthians 9:1)—that is, giving to the poor within the
household of faith. However, he does not mandate a tithe of one-tenth as in the
Old Testament; rather, he emphasizes that we must give with a joyful heart, as
we have purposed in our own minds.
"Each one must do just
as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
It is vital that we give out
of sincere love, rather than giving with the calculated expectation that God
will return it to us many times over. If we give solely to receive a reward,
there is no spiritual benefit. While charity seems simple, God has placed
spiritual conditions within it. We must provide help with this realization.
As it is written:
"And if I give all my
possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do
not have love, it profits me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Our acts of charity must be
motivated and driven by love. He who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for
food will reward us according to our acts of love. Just as He multiplies the
yield for the farmer who sows seed, He will increase the harvest of
righteousness in our lives.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1912
📆 Sunday, May 03, 2026
"But I have
prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have
turned again, strengthen your brothers."
(Luke 22:32)
Before we proclaim the
Gospel of Christ to others, it is essential that we first be strengthened in
the Christian faith. Otherwise, our gospel proclamations will drift away from
reality and become nothing more than the empty rhetoric of an ordinary politician.
Many Christian ministers attempt to announce Christ to others before they
themselves have undergone a proper spiritual transformation (healing of the
soul). In doing so, they sometimes bring harm both to themselves and to those
who hear their words.
I knew a brother who would
occasionally travel to distant districts to proclaim Christ. Specifically, he
frequented many villages in the Thanjavur district for his ministry. However,
in his own hometown, he lived a life without a proper Christian testimony. He
was involved in activities such as running chit funds and lending money at high
interest—actions that are contrary to the commands of Christ. Yet, he would
periodically leave for other districts to preach the Good News.
Once, I told him,
"There is no connection between the business you do and the Gospel you
proclaim. First, surrender yourself to God and pray." He did not agree. He
insisted that what he was doing was right, saying, "This is just the
business I do; it has nothing to do with my preaching." Furthermore, as I
continued to speak with him, it became clear that in his heart, he desired to
become famous like other popular ministers. Tragically, one day, he suddenly
took his own life.
Today’s meditation verse
contains the words Jesus spoke to Peter, the leading apostle, when Satan asked
for permission to sift him. The Lord Jesus did not give Satan free rein to
destroy Peter. He knew that if the subtle and crafty Satan were given place, he
would destroy Peter’s faith.
Yes, dearly beloved, Satan
will try in various ways to unsettle our faith. He will place the love of
money, the desire for fame, and pride before us. It is vital that we are first
strengthened to overcome these things. If Satan intended to sift even Peter—who
lived with Christ day and night, eating and drinking with Him—then who are we
in comparison?
This is why the Apostle Paul
says:
"Put on the full armour
of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the
devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the
spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians
6:11-12)
Beloved, just as Jesus
interceded for Peter, it is necessary for us to pray for ourselves and for
others who proclaim the Good News. Additionally, we must ensure that the
spiritual weapons mentioned by Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:14-17) are not
blunt but are in good condition. To achieve this, we must first be strengthened
and rooted in the love of Christ.
After we have been thus
strengthened and transformed, we should then proclaim the Gospel to bring
healing to others. Otherwise, we will remain hypocrites—mere religionists
trying to announce a Christ we do not truly know. Jesus said:
"You hypocrite, first
take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the
speck out of your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:5)
Let us examine ourselves and
seek to remove the log from our own eye. Let us cast away a life of hypocrisy
and then continue the work of proclaiming Christ. Proclaiming Christ is not
merely wandering the streets with a Bible or delivering a sermon; it is
announcing Him through our very lives. Yes, dearly beloved, let us strive to
live not just as "Christians" in name, but to live a life of true
Christian discipleship.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1913
📆 Monday, May 04, 2026
"Then the Lord
said, 'Because this people draws near with their words and honours Me with
their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their
reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote.'"
(Isaiah 29:13)
Today, there is no shortage
of crowds in churches, Christian gatherings, and conventions. Thousands of
people gather everywhere. Because of this, some ministers claim that a revival
has come to the country. However, it is clearly evident that these crowds and
prayers have not actually brought about a significant change in the personal
lives of the people.
Dearly beloved, if all the
Christians gathering in churches today were truly gathering for God, we would
see a massive transformation in their lives. That, in turn, would have created
a great change in the nation. But the majority of people gather only for their
worldly needs and blessings. Therefore, after the church service, they live
just like any other person, without any change in their lives. Furthermore,
they are often found engaging in various acts of deception, fraud, and bribery.
This is not a new
phenomenon; it was a practice that existed even in the days of the Prophet
Isaiah. Back then, people sacrificed bulls and sheep to God, offered tithes,
and worshipped by burning incense in the presence of God. Yet, their lives
remained corrupt.
Regarding this, Isaiah says:
"But he who kills an ox
is like one who slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who
breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers a grain offering is like one who offers
swine’s blood; he who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. As they
have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their
abominations." (Isaiah 66:3)
In the above verse, Isaiah
notes that they "have chosen their own ways." This means that even
though they offer these sacrifices, they do not choose God's way, but rather
the way of their own hearts. Moreover, he says their "soul delights in
their abominations." Yes, despite offering all these sacrifices, rituals,
and offerings, they continue to take pleasure in their sinful paths.
Indeed, dearly beloved,
people draw near to the Lord with their mouths and worship with their lips, but
their hearts remain far from Him. Although they come to churches and worship
with an appearance of reverence, it is not a fear of God that comes from truly
knowing Him; rather, it is a "tradition learned by rote" (human
commandment). That is, they worship out of a fear instilled by parents who
taught them about the fear of God since they were small children.
In contrast, for those who
truly know God, the Holy Spirit Himself will impart the knowledge of God. They
will not be mere "worship-only Christians," but will be those who
know and worship God with their whole soul. A witnessed (testifying) life
exists only among such worshippers.
When we live not by merely
worshipping with our mouths, but by truly knowing, perceiving, and loving God,
our worship will be a distinct kind of worship. When we engage in such worship,
our lives will also be transformed. Let us live with the desire to know God and
to possess Him in our lives; let us worship Him for that very reason.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1914
Date: May 05, 2026, Tuesday
"He who rejects Me and
does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what
will judge him at the last day." (John 12:48)
Accepting or rejecting
Christ is an individual's personal choice. However, it is the duty of
Christians to proclaim Christ to everyone. This is because Jesus Christ gave
this as a command before He ascended to heaven. We read in Mark 16:15-16:
"And He said to them,
'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has
believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall
be condemned.'"
Our duty is solely to
preach. This is what Christians do; they do not "convert" people.
Only a few insignificant workers, who lack scriptural knowledge or experience
yet claim to be doing ministry, make mistakes in this regard. The words of the
Lord Jesus should be sown, not imposed. We cannot bring anyone into Christ by
force. If someone becomes a Christian in such a way, they remain a Christian in
name only. Today, some become Christians by converting solely for the sake of
marriage.
In today’s meditation verse,
this is what Jesus Christ says: "Sow My words. The word I have spoken will
judge the one who does not receive it." Yes, the Word of God is living and
powerful. It is capable of piercing a person's heart and penetrating their
soul, thoughts, actions, and body. We read this in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
"For the word of God is
living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as
the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge
the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Regardless of a person's
religion, the conscience is the same for everyone. That itself is the sign that
one God created all people.
The Apostle Paul describes
this:
"in that they show the
work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and
their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them." (Romans
2:15)
Indeed, the laws of the Lord
are written in the hearts of all human beings.
The Lord's Word is righteous
and transcends religions. That is why Jesus Christ says, "He who
rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I
spoke is what will judge him at the last day." This is exactly why we
proclaim the Gospel to everyone.
When we reject Christ and
fail to believe His words, we cannot live righteously. His Word alone has the
power to lead us on the right path.
The statement—"the
word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day"—applies even more
to those who claim to be Christians but live lives of disobedience to the Word,
rather than to those who have never known Him.
We are duty-bound to examine
ourselves: Is our life in accordance with the Word of Christ? If not, we will
not be able to stand boldly before Him on the Day of Judgment.
AATHAVAN Meditation – No.
1915
May 06, 2026, Wednesday
"For they have
turned their back to Me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble
they will say, 'Arise and save us.'"
(Jeremiah 2:27)
When we encounter people we
dislike—or those who dislike us—we often avoid eye contact or turn our faces
away. Sometimes we ignore them altogether. Some people, upon seeing someone
they wish to avoid approaching from a distance, will even change their path to
take a different route.
If we do not live in a way
that is pleasing to God, we are essentially acting against Him in this same
manner. God has already laid out the paths in which we should walk. If we fail
to follow them, it means we are showing Him our backs. When someone they
dislike holds a high position, some might think, "Why should I respect
this person?" Yet, a situation may eventually arise where we are
forced to seek that very person's help. Similarly, there will many occasions
where we must seek God for our needs.
Most people cast aside God’s
commandments and His ways to live according to their own desires, living
without the fear of God. However, when faced with a major crisis or a terrible
disease, they run to God. Even then, their only thought is that their problem
or illness should be resolved; they do not truly seek God from the heart. They
do not view Him as a loving Being or someone worthy of their love. Their sole
intent is simply to use Him to fulfil their own needs.
We call such people
"opportunists." They flatter others only to get what they want, while
harbouring no genuine goodwill in their hearts. It is regarding such people
that God says in today’s meditation verse: "For they have turned their
back to Me, and not their face; but in the time of their trouble they will say,
'Arise and save us.'"
God knows the thoughts of
the human heart. Even before a word is formed on our tongues, He knows exactly
what we are going to say. The Psalmist says:
"Even before there is a
word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all." (Psalm
139:4)
Regarding our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Apostle John writes:
"...because He knew all
men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He
Himself knew what was in man." (John 2:25)
Yes, dear ones, God knows
the intent with which we pray to Him and the true state of our inner hearts. We
cannot deceive God by acting, as we might with fellow humans. If we pretend to
show Him our face while our heart is actually turned away (showing Him its
back), we are in a pitiable state.
It is essential that our
spirit, soul, and body are all aligned toward Him. If any part of us is in a
position of turning its back to Him, let us examine ourselves and make the
necessary corrections.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1916
📖 May 07, 2026, Thursday
"Who is the man who
fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose." — Psalm
25:12
In our life’s journey, the
paths we take in this world are often not the right ones; many of the decisions
we make are flawed. The reason is that our knowledge is limited. We make
decisions based on our meagre experiences and restricted understanding. That is
why we fail so often.
Yes, dear ones, our
knowledge is deficient. We become complete only when God enters into us. As it
is written:
"But when the perfect
comes, the partial will be done away with." — 1 Corinthians 13:10
Until then, we will continue
to stumble in many ways.
We see that for some,
everything in life results in success, while for others, whatever they touch
ends in failure. The reason is that God does not lead His chosen children in
the same way He leads others. Things that might end in success for others may end
in failure for those whom God loves. Through continuous failures and
tribulations, God causes people to seek Him with their whole heart. Yes, dear
ones, God tests His people through the "furnace of affliction" and
chooses them for Himself.
We read of this in the
Scripture:
"Behold, I have refined
you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." —
Isaiah 48:10
In ancient times, sea travel
was an extremely difficult endeavour. It was very hard to discern direction in
the vast expanse of the ocean. After the invention of the compass, it became
slightly easier. Lighthouses served as aids, giving some indication of the
coastline. However, in this modern era, sea travel has been transformed. Ships
are sophisticated. GPS devices and computers accurately point out locations to travellers.
When we live a life without
God, we live like the ancient mariners. But after knowing God, we become like
modern travellers—knowing the exact destination and direction of our journey.
The reason is that if we have the fear of the Lord, He will lead us. This is
exactly what we read in today’s meditation verse: "Who is the man who
fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose."
Therefore, it is essential
that we live a life fearing the Lord. If we live that way, God Himself will
show us the path intended for us and lead us. When continuous problems and
hardships arise in life, this is the message we must understand: "God loves
me; therefore, He desires a change in my life."
If we are willing to know
God's will and correct ourselves, He will instruct us in the way He chooses and
transform our lives. Then, our life’s journey will be changed—resembling a
voyage on a modern ship equipped with the latest technology.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1917
📖 May 08, 2026, Friday
"The angel of
the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O valiant
warrior.'" (Judges 6:12)
No matter how weak a person
may be or how insignificant they are considered by society, the Lord can use
them. A lack of knowledge, financial struggle, physical weakness, or lack of
education are never obstacles to God using someone. On the contrary, God
chooses the insignificant and the despised for His purposes. Christ’s disciples
were not great geniuses; they were ordinary fishermen. Yet, it was through them
that the Kingdom of God was built across the world.
Regarding this, we read:
"...and the base things
of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that
He may nullify the things that are."(1 Corinthians
1:28)
We see the life of Gideon as
a perfect example of this. It was a time when the hand of Midian prevailed
against Israel. The Midianites plundered the possessions and the crops of the
Israelites. While the people of Israel were yearning for a saviour, Gideon was
beating out wheat in the winepress to save it from the Midianites. It was at
that moment the Angel of the Lord stood before him and said, "The Lord
is with you, O valiant warrior."
Beloved, like Gideon, we may
consider ourselves weak and live in fear of unnecessary things. But the Lord
sees us as valiant warriors. Yes, because the Lord is with us, the strength we
possess is sufficient to handle all our problems.
This is why the Lord looked
at Gideon, who was living in fear of the Midianites, and said:
"Go in this your
strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
(Judges
6:14)
Did not God encourage the
Apostle Paul in a similar way, saying, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness"?
However, Gideon replied:
"O Lord, how shall I
deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the
youngest in my father’s house." (Judges 6:15)
Just as Gideon presented his
lowly state to the Lord, we too might think or say: "Lord, am I not
weak? My family, my business, my income, and my health—aren't they all in a
poor state? How can I manage these problems?" But just as He told
Gideon, He says to us: "Do not look at anything else. I am with you."
Indeed, this is what He told
Gideon:
"The Lord said to him,
'Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.'" (Judges
6:16)
Beloved, no matter how great
the problems or afflictions are, we can overcome them. The reason is that the
Lord sees us as valiant warriors; He says, "The Lord is with you, O
valiant warrior." Therefore, just as Gideon defeated the Midianites, we
too can overcome our problems and sins and live a life of spiritual victory.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1918
📆 Saturday, May 09, 2026
"Like a shepherd’s tent
my dwelling is pulled up and removed from me; as a weaver I rolled up my life.
He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me."
(Isaiah 38:12)
King Hezekiah was suffering
from a life-threatening boil and was at the point of death. At that time, God
sent a message through the prophet Isaiah announcing his impending death. Upon
hearing this, Hezekiah cried out to God and prayed with bitter tears. The verse
we meditate on today is part of the writing he composed after he was healed
from his illness, reflecting on his experience.
Shepherds pitch tents to
stay in specific places for a time. However, these are not permanent dwellings;
after a few days, they uproot the tent and move to another location. Similarly,
when a weaver finishes weaving a specific garment or cloth, they cut the
threads from the loom. Human life is much the same. Just as shepherds uproot
their tents to move on, we must eventually depart from this "tent" of
a body. Our life can be cut short by God at any moment, just as a weaver cuts
the thread from the loom.
King Hezekiah deeply
realized the fragile nature of his existence. He felt his end was so near that
he thought, "From day until night You make an end of me,"
believing his death could occur that very night. Therefore, when Isaiah
prophesied about his death, Hezekiah describes his prayer to God:
"Like a swallow, like a
crane, so I twitter; I moan like a dove; my eyes look wistfully to the heights;
O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security." (Isaiah 38:14)
Beloved, God heard
Hezekiah’s humble petition and extended his life by fifteen years. Regarding
this deliverance, it is written:
"The Lord will surely
save me; so we will play my songs on stringed instruments all the days of our
life at the house of the Lord." (Isaiah 38:20)
God sees the way we live,
the zealous works we do for Him, and our heartfelt, soul-stirring prayers—just
as He saw Hezekiah's. When we approach Him with sincerity, He removes our
bitterness. Above all, He forgives our sins. When that happens, we too can say
with joy, as Hezekiah did:
"Lo, for my own welfare
I had great bitterness; it is You who has kept my soul from the pit of
nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back." (Isaiah
38:17)
💥 "AADHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1919
📆 Sunday, May 10, 2026
"As for you, you meant
evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present
result, to preserve many people alive." (Genesis 50:20)
The actions taken against
the children of God by others may seem like suffering at that specific moment,
but they are not permanent. This is because God is with His children and leads
them. Even if some act against us, God will ultimately cause those situations
to work in our favour and conclude them for our good.
Today’s meditation verse is
what Joseph spoke to his brothers. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers hated and
rejected him. Initially, they intended to kill him, but later they sold him as
a slave for twenty pieces of silver. Although they intended to do evil against
him, God ultimately brought it to a good end. Indeed, it was because they sold
him as a slave that he was later able to become second only to Pharaoh in
Egypt.
This was God’s divine plan
for Joseph. Because of this, he was able to act wisely during the famine,
preventing the people from perishing of hunger and preserving them. This is why
Joseph says in today's verse, "to bring about this present result, to
preserve many people alive." Thus, the evil intended against Joseph
ended in great good.
Yes, dear ones, the
Scripture says:
"The Lord will cause
your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come
out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways." (Deuteronomy
28:7)
Accordingly, those who act
against us will either be defeated and flee, or, like Joseph’s brothers, they
will eventually come to find peace with us.
Regarding this, the Apostle
Paul asks: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who
is against us?" (Romans 8:31)
When God is on our side, no
one can successfully stand against us; no one can bring a valid accusation.
"Who will bring a
charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies." (Romans 8:33)
The enemies who rose against
Daniel and planned to destroy him could not succeed. Because God was with
Daniel, he was saved even from the lions' den. However, the enemies who accused
him and sought his destruction became food for those very lions (Daniel 6).
Haman intended to hang
Mordecai on gallows he had specifically prepared. Instead, Haman himself was
hanged on those same gallows, and thousands of Jews were saved as a result
(Esther).
Even today, when someone
acts against us, if we remain patient, the evil they intended will fail to
manifest. Not only that, but God will turn that evil to our advantage and allow
many others to benefit through us. We often weigh everything with human intellect,
but God's wisdom and knowledge are immeasurable.
"Oh, the depth of the
riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His
judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33)
Therefore, dear ones, let us
patiently endure the actions taken against us and remain faithful to God. He
will bring it to a good end. Moreover, God will make a way for many people to
be blessed through our lives.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1920
📆 May
11, 2026, Monday
"Let us draw near with
a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews
10:22)
Today's meditation verse
speaks about the qualifications we must possess if we are to enter into the
holy presence of God.
First, it is essential that
our hearts are purified, having been sprinkled by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Did not Jesus Christ say, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God" (Matthew 5:8)? Without purity of heart, the
worship we perform, the services we attend, or the offerings we give will not
bring us closer to God.
Second, it is necessary for
our bodies to be free from the blemish of sin. This is what the verse refers to
as "bodies washed with pure water." Regarding this, the Apostle Paul
writes:
"Therefore, I urge you,
brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
(Romans 12:1)
According to the Old
Testament system, only the priest could enter the Most Holy Place. However,
today, under the New Testament system, we are all priests. Therefore, Christ
has made a way through His own blood for all of us to enter the Heavenly Most
Holy Place.
The verses preceding today’s
meditation verse explain it as follows:
"Therefore, brethren,
since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a
new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His
flesh," (Hebrews 10:19-20)
Since we have a Great Priest
over the house of God (Hebrews 10:21), we have gained the right to enter
the Heavenly Most Holy Place. But to enter in such a way, today's meditation
verse provides two conditions:
- A heart sprinkled clean from an evil
conscience.
- A body washed with pure water.
Worship offered while living
in the mire of physical sin—without any sense of guilt—is not accepted by God.
We must surrender our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. Even in the Old
Testament system of sacrificing goats and bulls, it was commanded that only
those without blemish be sacrificed. Similarly, when we offer our bodies as a
sacrifice to God, it is essential that they be holy and free from sin.
Beloved, our High Priest,
Jesus Christ, has already paved the way for us to enter the Most Holy Place
through His own blood. We must believe in the redemption wrought by His blood.
We must surrender ourselves to be washed by His blood. He will cleanse us and
qualify us to enter the Most Holy Place.
Only then can we enter
Heaven as those with hearts sprinkled by the blood of Jesus, bodies washed with
pure water, and with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.
Furthermore, today's verse
urges us to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of
faith." This means it is vital for us to be TRUTHFUL and STEADFAST in our
faith.
Purity in soul and body,
truthfulness in life, and firm faith in God—without these, no amount of
worship, rituals, or offerings will help carry us to Heaven.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1921
📆 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
"See how great a love
the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and
such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not
know Him." (1 John 3:1)
In this world, people
consider it a matter of great pride to identify themselves as the son or
daughter of a Chief Minister, a Prime Minister, or a famous doctor. To the
people of the world, such status is indeed prestigious. However, our true glory
lies in the fact that God considers us His own children and treats us as such.
As believers, we are His children; we are His sons and daughters. This is why
today’s meditation verse exclaims, "See how great a love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God."
Yes, dearly beloved, God has
chosen us as His children because of the immense love He has for us. By His
supreme grace, He has forgiven our sins and selected us to be His own people.
The Apostle Paul affirms this, saying:
"For by grace you have
been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of
God." (Ephesians 2:8)
Ordinary people, however, do
not recognize the glory or the excellence of this divine relationship. They
know the children of famous personalities, but they do not recognize the
children of God. The reason is simple: they do not know God Himself. If they do
not know the Father, how can they know His children? This is precisely what we
read in today’s verse: "The world does not know us, because it did not
know Him."
Furthermore, the Apostle
John explains the practical outcome of being God’s children:
"And everyone who has
this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1 John
3:3)
In other words, if we are
truly children of God, we are enabled to live a life of purity, just as God is
pure.
Think of it this way: Just
as the famous people mentioned in our earlier examples provide help and
resources so their children can grow up to be like them, God assists His
children so that they may live a life of holiness, reflecting His own nature.
While others may find pride
in earthly lineage, our pride is found solely in calling ourselves children of
God. It is essential that we reflect on how great a love the Father has
showered upon us by calling us His children, and in response, live our lives
with deep gratitude toward Him.
Let us not live with a
desire for the world to recognize us or a craving for fame that leads us down
"shortcuts" to self-exaltation. Instead, let us live a life of
patient submission to Him.
"Therefore, humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper
time." (1 Peter 5:6)
God does not force Himself
upon anyone to be known. The only way He has provided for us to know Him is
through humility—confessing our sins to Him and repenting. When we repent, we
become the beloved people of God, receiving His mercy and providential care.
Consider how great it is
that we are called the children of God!
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1922
📆 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
"Yet I have been the
Lord your God since the land of Egypt; and you were not to know any god except
Me, for there is no saviour besides Me." (Hosea 13:4)
The events in the lives of
the Israelites serve as a shadow and a reflection of our spiritual lives today.
In today's meditation, we will explore in detail the truth found in this verse.
The trait of ungratefulness
is prevalent among human beings. People often quickly forget those who have
helped them. No matter how much assistance they have received, some completely
erase those deeds from their memory. Furthermore, they sometimes even work
against their benefactors. If we throw a piece of biscuit to a stray dog, it
never forgets us. Yet, in many instances, humans behave worse than dogs.
Today’s verse admonishes us not to live with such ingratitude.
God liberated the Israelites
from the bondage of Egypt, led them toward Canaan—a land flowing with milk and
honey—and made that land their own. However, the Israelites soon forgot God’s
mercy and power and began to worship other gods.
In the same way, God has
delivered us today from the "Egypt" of sin. Our old life of sin was
much like the Israelites being slaves to the Egyptians. God, in His grace, has
redeemed us from that life and is leading us as a spiritual people.
Just as God led the
Israelites through the wilderness after redeeming them from Egypt, we too may
face difficult life challenges—similar to a wilderness—when we are rescued from
a "pleasurable" life of sin. However, God leads us this way for our
good future and so that we may reach the Heavenly Canaan. Following our main
verse, the Lord God says:
"I cared for you in the
wilderness, in the land of terrible drought." (Hosea 13:5)
After being redeemed, led
through the wilderness, and entering Canaan, the Israelites backslid within a
short time and worshipped other gods. Similarly, many people today who have
been saved by God begin to "taste" their old sinful life again after
a while.
These old habits and desires
are what the verse refers to as "other gods." For some, these
"other gods" might be money, position, lust, or a thirst for power.
Today’s meditation warns us: Do not acknowledge such gods, and do not forget
the God who freed you from the slavery of sin.
If we continue to worship
these other gods, we will become slaves once again. Dearly beloved, when the
Israelites worshipped other gods, they became captives to the Babylonians and
Assyrians. God’s Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, and His glory departed from
them. If we deviate from the holy ways of the God who redeemed and leads us,
our spiritual life will be shattered, and the glory of God will depart from us.
Therefore, the Lord God
says: "You were not to know any god except Me, for there is no saviour
besides Me."
"Other gods" do
not only refer to the deities of other religions. Rather, it refers to anyone
or anything to which we give priority over God. When we prioritize these
things, it means we are "knowing" other gods and forsaking our Redeemer.
In the critical moments of
our lives, nothing and no one we have prioritized over God will be able to help
us. Therefore, let us live giving priority to the Lord God alone.
"There is no saviour
besides Me," says the Lord God.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳Meditation
– No. 1923
Thursday, May 14, 2026
"My soul waits for the
Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for
the morning." (Psalm 130:6)
Except for the wicked, every
heart eagerly anticipates the dawn. The wicked prefer the darkness to hide
their disgraceful deeds; ultimately, they head toward a place of utter
darkness. When we are unwell, there are times we cannot sleep. We wait with great
expectation, wondering, "When will it finally be morning?" Dawn
brings with it a sense of joy and pleasantness.
In today’s meditation verse,
waiting for the Lord is compared to the way watchmen (night guards) look for
the break of day. Consider the guards who stand watch in front of large shops
or ATM centres. Whether it rains or is freezing cold, they remain at their
posts. They cannot sleep peacefully. Don't their hearts long for the sunrise?
The Psalmist says that his soul waits for the Lord with an even greater
yearning than that.
Waiting for the dawn
symbolizes the expectation that the Lord will come into the darkness of our
lives and bring about a transformation.
This Psalm is identified as
a "Song of Ascents." These were songs sung by pilgrims on their way
to Jerusalem. As people journeyed toward the mountains to celebrate annual
festivals, they would sing these hymns. They often had to pass through lonely,
uninhabited places, and it is in such contexts that these Songs of Ascents were
sung.
When I was a young boy, my
father was often away in other towns due to his work. My sisters and I lived in
Nagercoil under my mother's care. Once every two or three months, my father
would come home. He would announce his arrival date by letter, and we would
wait for that day with intense longing. The night before his arrival, we
couldn't sleep properly. Our minds were fixed on the sunrise. This wasn't
because of the things he might bring, but simply because we wanted to see our
father.
Yes, dear ones, today many
people seek the blessings of the Lord more than they seek the Lord Himself. But
true love does not run after "things."
Today, many churches conduct
"Midnight Fasting Prayer" meetings. Once, at the invitation of a
pastor, I attended one of these night prayer meetings. However, things happened
there that made me wonder why I had even gone; it felt like a mockery. In the
middle of the worship, there was jumping, dancing, and movements that looked
like physical exercise. Later, I asked the pastor, "Why do you do this?
This does not seem like an act of devotion." He replied, "If we don't
energize them like this, the people will fall asleep."
If someone is waiting for
God with divine love, why would they fall asleep? If they are sleepy, shouldn't
they just go home and sleep? What kind of devotion or divine love is found in
jumping and leaping just to ward off sleep?
Beloved, staying awake at
midnight cannot be fully defined as "waiting for the Lord." Even
during the day, our hearts can yearn for God and wait for Him. Time, hour, and
location are no barriers for God to come and rule within us. Therefore, the
vital question is: Are we waiting for God with divine love? Do we have a thirst
to truly know Him? God desires those who wait for Him with sincere, divine
love. Let us seek Him and wait for Him with that true love.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1924
📆 May 15, 2026, Friday
"Blessed be the
Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle."—
Psalm 144:1
Every nation allocates
significant funds to its military to defend itself from enemy attacks and
destruction. They manufacture or purchase various modern weapons for their
protection and provide rigorous training to their soldiers on how to use them.
In the same way, God acts
for His children; He provides them with training. Today’s meditation verse
refers to spiritual warfare. David, as a king, led many physical battles.
Therefore, he compares the struggles of a human's spiritual life to war.
When we live in fellowship
with God, He gives us the strength to overcome this spiritual struggle. God
Himself stays with us and paves the way for our deliverance from these
conflicts. This is why David says, "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who
trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle."
In this worldly life, we
face two types of struggles:
- Physical struggles:
Worldly problems, sufferings, and diseases.
- Spiritual struggles:
The battle against sin brought by the devil to separate us from God.
Regarding this, the Apostle
Paul says:
"For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of
wickedness in the heavenly places." — Ephesians 6:12
Today’s meditation verse
tells us that the Lord trains our hands and fingers for war. God has given us
many weapons of warfare, and He also teaches us how to use them appropriately.
It is written:
"Therefore, take up the
full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and
having done everything, to stand firm." — Ephesians 6:13
First, we must take up these
weapons. Then, we must use them in the right manner. We read about these
spiritual weapons of war in Ephesians 6:14–17. Indeed, it is the Spirit
of God who trains us to use these weapons effectively.
Today, many people become
weary of life and seek the disastrous end of suicide. The reason for this is a
lack of fellowship with God. If we live in fellowship with Him, as today's
meditation verse says, He will equip our hands and fingers for the struggle and
establish us in victory.
Since we have such a
powerful and loving God, it is essential that we live with gratitude toward
Him. This is why the Psalmist says, "Blessed be the Lord, my
rock." We too can use these weapons and achieve victory through them.
Therefore, let us join the Psalmist in saying, "Blessed be the Lord, my
rock," and live as grateful people.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1925
📆 Saturday, May 19, 2026
"Your prophets have
seen for you false and foolish visions; and they have not exposed your iniquity
so as to restore you from captivity, but they have seen for you false and
misleading oracles." (Lamentations 2:14)
Prophecy is the revelation
of God's will to His servants. It is a gift bestowed by God for the benefit of
the people, intended to make them realize their sins, repent, and transform
into a state pleasing to God. In places where such orderly and clear prophecy
is absent, people perish or cast off restraint.
As it is written:
"Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he
who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18,).
Prophecies like, "This
year will be a year of blessing for you," "You will buy your own
house," "You will buy a new car this year," or "You will
reach the highest position in your job," may or may not come to pass, but
they are pleasant for people to hear.
However, the true prophecy
granted by God convicts humans of their sin. Most ministers today avoid such
prophecies and instead deliver "blessings" in the name of prophecy;
and the people, too, delight in it. This is not a new phenomenon; it was the
same during the time of the Prophet Jeremiah. That is why in today’s meditation
verse, he says that they saw false and misleading visions for you, instead of
exposing your iniquity to prevent your captivity.
When David sinned, Nathan
the prophet exposed his sin and led him to repentance. Yes, dear ones, true
prophecy reveals the hidden sins of the heart and brings people to repentance.
Spiritual revival occurs only when such repentance takes place among the people.
But today, a false illusion of "revival" is created by looking at the
crowds gathered at "blessing meetings."
Regarding the prophetic word
that brings conviction of sin, the Apostle Paul says of one who has committed a
sin: "And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down
on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you."
(1 Corinthians 14:25)
This is the kind of prophecy
God desires. Apostle Paul instructs us that among the various spiritual gifts,
we should especially desire the gift of prophecy. Indeed, he says: "Pursue
love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may
prophesy." (1 Corinthians 14:1).
If we believe in false and
vain prophecies, they will keep us bound within the prison of sin. Therefore,
let us protect our souls by not running after ministers who see and speak
"false and misleading oracles" for us.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1926
📆 Sunday, May 17, 2026
"Although the Lord has
given you the bread of privation and the water of oppression, He, your Teacher
will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher." —
Isaiah 30:20 (NASB)
Today’s meditation verse
compares the suffering and affliction we experience to the daily bread we eat
and the water we drink. Beloved children of God, perhaps today He has allowed
various hardships, distresses, and oppressions into your life. We may not be
living a prosperous life like others around us. However, today’s verse
promises: "He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes
will behold your Teacher."
This means God is fully
aware of our wilderness journey. He is actively watching over our afflictions.
Indeed, Scripture reminds us:
"The Lord is good, a
stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in
He." — Nahum 1:7 (NASB)
In older Bible translations,
the phrase "your Teacher" used in today's verse was rendered in the
plural form as "your teachers." This Teacher is none other than the Holy
Spirit. Even if we live a tight, pressured life in this world—as if
consuming the bread of privation and drinking scarce water—the Spirit of God is
right there to look after us and guide us.
When the people of Israel
journeyed through the wilderness long ago, God protected and led them day and
night. We read:
"He did not take away
the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the
people." — Exodus 13:22 (NASB)
Today, in our spiritual
life, this pillar of cloud and pillar of fire is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we
are called to live courageously, knowing that we are not alone in our
distressing circumstances; God is with us. If we live a true spiritual life, we
will be able to see Him through the eyes of faith, according to the promise: "He,
your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your
Teacher."
Yes, dearly beloved, it is
essential that we seek God’s presence earnestly. Long ago, Moses prayed to God
in this very manner. He said, "Lord, if You do not go with us, we will
stay right here." We read this account here:
"Then he said to Him,
'If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.'" — Exodus
33:15 (NASB)
Let us pray similarly during
our times of distress:
"Lord, You have said,
'He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your
Teacher.' I believe this promise. Lord, guide us as a pillar of cloud and a
pillar of fire, and help us cross this wilderness of life. Help us overcome and
live through our bread of privation and water of oppression."
When we rely entirely on
God's grace, He will certainly never forsake us.
"After you have
suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His
eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and
establish you." — 1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)
Amen.
💥 "AATHAVAN" Meditation
– No. 1927
📆 Monday, May 18, 2026
"Therefore, our
livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind..." —
Exodus 10:26 (NASB)
In the Book of Exodus, we
read about the repeated instances where Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh,
requesting him to let the Israelites go from Egypt. Because Pharaoh refused to
release them, God sent various plagues to strike the Egyptians. Witnessing the
severity of these plagues, Pharaoh eventually conceded, but only allowed the
Israelite men to go and offer sacrifices to the Lord. Moses and Aaron refused
to accept this compromise. Consequently, the Lord sent a massive plague of
locusts upon Egypt.
Following this, Pharaoh
summoned Moses again and said, "Leave your flocks and your herds behind;
only you and your little ones may go." It was then that Moses firmly
declared:
"Therefore, our
livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must
take some of them to serve the Lord our God. And until we arrive there, we
ourselves do not know with what we will serve the Lord." — Exodus 10:26
(NASB)
In this verse, it is
remarkable how Moses insists that not a single piece of livestock could be left
behind. This demonstrates Moses’ desire for the Israelites' exodus from Egypt
to be an absolute, complete deliverance. Furthermore, their livestock were not
just mere animals; they were vital to their economic and agricultural
livelihood. In the biblical context, livestock played a crucial role in both
their daily survival and their sacrificial system of worship. Leaving even a
single hoof behind would mean forfeiting a part of what was necessary for both
their worship and their livelihood.
This serves as a
foundational principle illustrating our own spiritual lives. Spiritual
deliverance must be a complete deliverance. Just as the Israelites refused to
leave anything behind, we too must be ready to release every aspect of our
lives from our old state, dedicate it to God, and stand firm in our faith with
a whole heart.
Sometimes, even after
turning to God, some individuals continue to hold onto certain past sins. If we
love God completely and possess true faith like Moses, we must surrender
entirely to Him without leaving any old sin behind, declaring boldly: "Not
a hoof shall be left behind." Our old life of sin must be completely
forgotten.
Just as Pharaoh bargained
with Moses, Satan might sometimes whisper to us, justifying certain sins: "Is
this really such a big sin? God won't care about something this minor."
He tries to confuse us, and we too might occasionally think to ourselves, "This
isn't a major sin at all."
Beloved, we do not need to
calculate or categorize sins as "small" or "big." Moses
refused to leave Egypt if it meant leaving even a single young lamb or calf
behind. In the same way, we must practice total surrender to Jesus Christ. It
is essential to confess and forsake every single sin without holding onto any.
The Israelites achieved
absolute freedom from Egypt by firmly declaring that not a hoof would be left
behind. Similarly, we can only experience the joy of total deliverance when we
confess all our sins to Christ and allow them to be washed clean by His precious
blood.
Here is the English
translation of your "Aadhavan" meditation, incorporating the
requested NASB Bible translations for the scripture references.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1928
📆 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
"For You have been a defence
for the helpless, a defence for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the
storm, a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a
rainstorm against a wall." — Isaiah 25:4 (NASB)
None of us will ever forget
the tsunami that struck Tamil Nadu on December 26, 2004. At that time, ocean
waves rose higher than palm trees, surging toward the shore and causing immense
devastation. More than 8,000 people lost their lives, and property worth
billions was destroyed.
Today’s meditation verse
compares the fury of the ruthless to just such an event. It is like a rainstorm
or a flood crashing against a wall. The destruction caused by them is akin to
the devastation of a tsunami. Many tyrannical kings and rulers throughout
history have been like this. However, during such cruel times, the Lord has
been a strength to the helpless poor, a defence to the oppressed needy, a
refuge from the storm, and a shade from the scorching heat.
In past centuries, the
oppression and crushing of Christians in countries like Russia and China were
extremely severe. Many lost their lives. Churches were demolished, and Bibles
were burned. Yet, many believers guarded their faith and survived. Similarly,
though many fell victim to Hitler's tyrannical laws and punishments, there are
numerous testimonies of how God miraculously protected many of them.
Likewise, in the early days
of King David, many enemies rose against him like a crashing flood to destroy
him. But God delivered him from their hands. That is why he declares:
"The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my
heart triumphs, and with my song I shall thank Him." — Psalm 28:7 (NASB)
We also read that
"...When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift
up a standard against him." (cf. Isaiah 59:19).
As today's meditation verse
states, our Lord is a strength to the helpless, a defence to the oppressed
needy, a refuge from the storm, and a shade from the heat. If we commit our
lives under His mighty hand, we have permanent protection.
In the early days of
Christianity, the apostles faced various pressures and oppressions. Whippings
and imprisonments threatened them. Yet, the Lord's hand was with them,
protecting them as a refuge from the storm and a shade from the heat.
Today, it is the Lord Jesus
Christ who stands as our refuge and shelter, protecting us. Therefore, it is
essential that we depend entirely on Him. Isaiah prophetically speaks
concerning Him:
"Behold, a king will
reign righteously and princes will rule justly. Each will be like a refuge from
the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country,
like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land." — Isaiah 32:1-2 (NASB)
Neither a crashing flood nor
a raging storm can separate us from Him or destroy us. Let us continue our
spiritual journey with unwavering faith.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1929
📆 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
“You shall not do what is
done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor shall you do what is done in the
land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.
You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with
them; I am the Lord your God.” — Leviticus 18:3-4 (NASB)
Once, a Christian friend
asked me, "Brother, you say that God is loving and merciful. But when
we look at the Old Testament—how He killed and destroyed people in Egypt, and
how He commanded the Israelites through various wars to mercilessly kill the
people of Canaan, especially women and children—how can we say God is
merciful?"
I replied to him, "If
you found out that a cobra had given birth to hundreds of offspring in the
place where you keep old, discarded things in your house, what would you do?
Would you leave them alone, thinking, 'Oh, poor things, these babies were just
born'? Won’t you destroy and eliminate them all? Similarly, there is a Holy God
whose eyes are too pure to look at evil. He detests abominable sexual sins. He
wills that a corrupt generation of sin should not continue to exist."
"My friend," I
continued, "verses like Leviticus 18:6-23 clearly describe the
abominable sexual perversions committed by the people of Egypt and Canaan. That
is precisely why God destroyed that generation."
Yes, the Scripture says:
"...for the men of the
land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land
has become defiled." — Leviticus 18:27 (NASB) (Note: Verse 26 in
Tamil numbering)
Therefore, the Lord God
commands us not to act according to the practices of the land of Egypt where we
once lived, nor according to the practices of the land of Canaan where He is
leading us, nor to walk in their customs, but to practice His judgments and
keep His statutes.
God does not treat us like
other people. The reason is that we are a people set apart for God. Therefore,
the Lord God says:
"Thus, you are to be
holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples
to be Mine." — Leviticus 20:26 (NASB)
When I shared this with that
friend, he laughed scoffingly and said, "Brother, these are all Old
Testament commandments. You shouldn't be preaching these things in this day and
age."
I told him, "These
commandments are repeated in the New Testament as well. Read what the Apostle
Paul says," and I showed him the following passage:
"Or do you not know
that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived;
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor reviles, nor
swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." — 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
(NASB)
Yes, dearly beloved, to
enter the Heavenly Canaan, it is absolutely essential that we preserve both our
bodies and our hearts in holiness. Therefore, let us not do according to the
deeds of the Egyptians, nor according to the deeds of the perished Canaanites.
Let us not walk according to their customs, but let us practice the judgments
of the Lord, keep His commandments, and walk in holiness. He has set us apart
from other peoples so that we may live as children of God.
Unlike the people of Egypt
and Canaan, we who live in the New Testament era have complete deliverance from
these sins through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, if any such
sins are found in us, let us confess them to Christ and seek His forgiveness.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation – No. 1930
📆 May 21, 2026, Thursday
"But as for you, when
you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who
is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward
you." (Matthew 6:6, NASB)
In today’s meditation, the
Lord Jesus Christ provides us with some vital insights regarding prayer.
Today, most Christians give
priority to church services and corporate worship, while living a life that
completely forgets personal, solitary prayer. Although church gatherings and
worship services are necessary, it is the secret prayer of solitude that truly
unites us in fellowship with God. It strengthens our relationship with Him. We
can obtain the strength to overcome sin only through personal prayer.
Our Lord Jesus Christ
visited the temples and attended various festivals. Yet, at the exact same
time, He spent a vast amount of time in solitary prayer with the Father. We
read:
"In the early morning,
while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a
secluded place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35, NASB)
Indeed, the wilderness is a
place free from distractions—a place uninterrupted by others.
The Bible emphasizes
personal prayer because, in it, we are in a direct, one-on-one connection with
God. It means we converse with God just as we would chat with a friend. This
deep, intimate fellowship is rarely achievable during corporate church services
and congregational worship.
This personal prayer of ours
does not need to be known to others; it is meant to remain strictly between God
and us. That is why, in today's meditation verse, Jesus Christ instructs: "But
as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to
your Father who is in secret."
Our church attendance and
participation in worship services are visible to everyone. In corporate
worship, we join hands to glorify God together. However, our personal prayer is
known only to us and God. The Father, who sees our personal prayer in secret,
will reward us openly. All the great saints of God were individuals who
dedicated substantial time to solitary prayer.
Furthermore, following
today's meditation verse, Jesus Christ goes on to say:
"And when you are
praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose
that they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7, NASB)
When we pray, it is not
necessary to repeatedly recite every scripture verse we know just for the sake
of it.
"So do not be like
them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." (Matthew
6:8, NASB)
Therefore, if our hearts are
pure and we communicate with God with the freedom, intimacy, and love of a
child speaking to their mother or father—dwelling in fellowship with Him—that
is more than enough.
Generally, in families, many
people do not set aside time to sit and talk with the elderly. Such elders
often live with a heavy, aching heart. Similarly, when we merely attend church
services and ceremonies but completely neglect personal prayer in our lives, we
grieve the heart of God. It is solitary prayer alone that nurtures true
fellowship with God.
Yes, dearly beloved, when we
pray in solitude to the Father who is in secret, our Father who sees in secret
will reward us openly. If you have been living a life that has forgotten
personal prayer until now, let us practice setting aside dedicated time for it.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1931
📆 Friday, May 22, 2026
“Can a person hide himself
in hidden places so that I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill
the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)
In this world, many who
commit wicked acts employ various shortcuts and clever schemes to hide their
deeds from others and avoid facing punishment from the courts. They even find
success in doing so.
Many who have committed
murder, sexual assault, theft, and corruption not only escape punishment but
also hold high positions. In their minds, they believe that no one is watching
them and that people believe they are good. They do not care about their own
wretched character.
In today’s meditation verse,
God looks at such wicked people and says: “Can a person hide himself in
hidden places so that I do not see him? Do I not fill the heavens and the
earth?”
“And there is no creature
hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him
with whom we have to do”. (Hebrews 4:13)
Before earthly judges, one
can escape punishment by offering bribes or using political power. But before
God, the Creator of the entire universe, none of these things will deliver us.
Generally, however, wealth
and power blind the spiritual eyes of human beings. Consequently, they continue
to live in their wickedness. Because they feel the pricks of conscience deep
within, they occasionally offer various offerings and vows to God. They tie
various enchanted threads and amulets around their hands.
Beloved, today’s meditation
verse does not give a warning to the wicked alone; it also warns us, as
spiritual people, that we must live with caution. This is why the Psalmist
says:
“Where can I go from Your
Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are
there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there”. (Psalm 139:7-8)
herefore, it is essential
for us to live a life fearing the Lord. When we say a "fearing life,"
it does not mean we must live in constant trembling. Rather, the Scripture
says, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." Accordingly, it
is vital that we keep away from evil things.
God does not desire that we
offer various flower garlands, perfumes, and incense sticks to Him; instead, He
desires that we display a fragrant life before Him. Yes, just as it is written,
"And He will delight in the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:3),
it is essential that we live our lives bringing a sweet aroma to Him.
Let us commit ourselves as a
living sacrifice to the Lord God, who fills the heavens and the earth, so that
we may live an honest, pure life without any concealment.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation — No. 1932
📆 Saturday, May 23, 2026
"Do not stare at me
because I am swarthy, for the sun has burned me. My mother’s sons were angry
with me; they made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of
my own vineyard." — Song of Solomon 1:6
Today’s meditation verse
reflects the words of a spiritual woman (the bride) who is looked down upon and
rejected by others in this world.
She speaks of her humbled,
lowly state. Her skin has grown dark from working under the scorching sun. And
those who forced her to work this way were none other than her "mother’s
sons"—meaning her own siblings. They compelled her to guard their
vineyards, leaving her with no time to even attend to her own responsibilities.
Labouring endlessly under the sun, her complexion darkened. She laments, "but
I have not taken care of my own vineyard," because they simply did not
allow her the opportunity to do so.
In the same way, many
spiritual people in this world are oppressed by their own families and society.
They are treated like slaves. But God knows their innermost heart. In today's
verse, she pours out her grief to the people who reject her, saying, "Do
not stare at me because I am swarthy [dark]."
She is pleading, "Do
not cast me aside based on my outward appearance or my poverty." Yes,
dearly beloved, God does not love us based on outward beauty or the abundance
of wealth. He looks at the human heart. Do we not read:
"...for God sees not as
man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the
heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7
This oppressed woman knew
this truth well. Therefore, she declares with joy:
"I am black but lovely,
O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of
Solomon." — Song of Solomon 1:5
In other words, she
confidently proclaims that though she may appear dark and unattractive to the
world, before her God, she is beautiful just as she is.
God detests it when people
look down on others and reject them—especially when that rejection is based on
their financial lack, physical appearance, or skin colour. He is the Creator of
all souls. He does not choose His people by holding beauty pageants or physical
fitness contests. Instead, He chooses them by examining their hearts.
Those who look down upon and
insult others in this manner must ask God for forgiveness for their sinful
state. Likewise, if you are experiencing such insults and rejection today, do
not fall back in your walk with God. Continue forward in faith and declare
confidently, just as this woman did: "I may be dark, but I am
lovely." Yes, we who live a close, intimate life before God are the
ones who are truly beautiful.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1933
📆 Sunday, May 24, 2026
"Are not two sparrows
sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from
your Father." — Matthew 10:29 (NASB)
Today’s meditation word,
spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ, helps us preserve our faith during times of
suffering. The God who protects a simple sparrow from falling to the
ground—will He allow human beings, whom He created and who are worth so many
times more than sparrows, to perish? Jesus gives us the absolute assurance that
He certainly will not.
Once, a man who did not
believe in God became utterly exhausted by the pressures of suffering. Reaching
a point where he did not know what to do next in life, he contemplated ending
his life through suicide. Various crises, heavy burdens of debt, and afflictions
were tormenting him. As he remained shut inside his house, grieving over his
wretched condition, his wife asked him to go to the store to buy a few items.
He bought the items as requested, and also purchased ten cents' worth of
peanuts.
He sat down in a nearby park
and began eating the peanuts. At that moment, he noticed that the paper wrap
used to pack the peanuts had today's meditation verse printed on it. As he read
further, the words said:
"Therefore, do not
fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." — Matthew 10:31 (NASB)
These words of the Lord
Jesus Christ infused him with a new vitality. The lines "yet not one of
them will fall to the ground apart from your Father" kept echoing
inside him over and over again. He began to think, "When it is said
that not even a tiny sparrow falls without the Father's will, how can I fall
without His will?" He had a friend who was a spiritual Christian. That
friend had spoken to him about God many times before, but this man had only
mocked him back then. Now, he remembered him. He went straight to his friend's
house, shared his experience, and subsequently—guided by his friend—became a
repented man. His entire life was transformed.
Yes, dearly beloved, no word
of Scripture is devoid of the Spirit's power. Even a single small word can
transform a person. Apart from the Father's will, not a single word of
Scripture will ever fall to the ground in vain.
Today, we see young children
and youth committing suicide for various reasons. Some end their lives out of
fear of writing exams; some out of fear before the results are announced; and
still others because the results turned out to be a failure. Yes, when we
declare God and His power to our children and youth, we can rescue them from
such tragic, fatal decisions.
The Lord God says:
"Behold, I will do
something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will
even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." — Isaiah
43:19 (NASB)
Yes, we must keep one thing
in mind: a failure in business is not the failure of life; a project ending in
failure is not the failure of life; a failure in an exam is not our life's
failure. The God who saves sparrows from falling to the ground will certainly
not let human beings, who are far superior to them, fall down in life.
Therefore, let us hold fast to Him in faith.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation - No. 1934
📆 Monday, May 25, 2026
"By faith the walls of
Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days." — Hebrews
11:30
The eleventh chapter of the
Epistle to the Hebrews is a wonderful section that explains faith. Here we read
about many heroes of faith. Each of these accounts is something we should
contemplate and meditate upon. The kind of steadfast life of faith these
believers lived serves as an awakening for us as well. As Christians, we too
are called to live such a life of faith. That is why the Scripture admonishes
us that without faith it is impossible to please God.
The collapsing of the walls
of the city of Jericho by the Israelites stands as a perfect example of the
verse that states:
"Now faith is the
assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews
11:1
For the Israelites, who had
fought many conventional battles, this peaceful march was a different kind of
journey of faith. Think about it—how can anyone believe when told that to
demolish a massive wall, it is enough to simply march around it for days without
touching it or doing anything to it? Yet, the people of Israel believed. And
just as they believed, they also achieved victory.
Furthermore, the walls of
Jericho were not like the ordinary stone walls we see today. Based on
excavations carried out by archaeologists in Jericho, the colossal dimensions
of that wall still amaze us today. The width of that retaining wall was about
1.5 to 2 meters (4.9 to 6.6 feet), and its height was 3.7 to 5.2 meters (12 to
17 feet). It was to tear down such a massive wall that Joshua commanded the
people of Israel to march around it for seven days.
"Seven priests shall
carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you
shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the
trumpets. It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and
when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great
shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up
every man straight ahead." — Joshua 6:4-5
Beloved, this is indeed an
unbelievable thing. However, the people of Israel accepted it in faith, marched
around it for seven days accordingly, and achieved victory. This is exactly
what we read in today's meditation verse: "By faith the walls of
Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days."
Today, this incident is
highly relevant and beneficial for our lives as well. In our lives, many
negative things may stand as obstacles like the wall of Jericho; they may seem
utterly impossible to cross. But the Lord Jesus Christ says:
"‘If You can?’ All
things are possible to him who believes." — Mark 9:23
It is enough to live
trusting God with faith.
In the account of Jericho's
destruction, the people marched silently for the first six days. Even on the
seventh day, they marched silently for the first six times, and then they
praised with a loud shout. That monumental wall was demolished. Yes, beloved,
God has set a specific time and season for the wall of problems standing as an
obstacle before us to be torn down. Until then, let us pray in quietness, just
like the Israelites who contextually circled the wall silently in faith. When
God tears down the wall for us, we will naturally shout with joy and glorify
Him.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1935
📆 Tuesday, May 26, 2026
"Therefore, if you have
not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true
riches to you?" — Luke 16:11 (NASB)
Everyone desires that those
who work for them and those they interact with be faithful and honest. However,
most people who hold this expectation do not think about living faithfully
themselves.
I know a person who
frequently says, "I absolutely despise liars... I can tolerate
anything, but I cannot tolerate someone lying to me." Yet, almost
every time this man opens his mouth, a lie comes out, and he runs his entire
business based on various falsehoods.
If we observe closely, we
will realize that a person usually lies for some financial gain. That is, they
seek the path of deceit just to get rich quick through shortcuts. But God says:
"A faithful man will
abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go
unpunished." — Proverbs 28:20 (NASB)
Yes, dearly beloved, it is
essential for us to live faithfully in all worldly matters entrusted to us. A
person who is faithful in small things will also be faithful in large things.
Jesus states this right before today's meditation verse:
"He who is faithful in
a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a
very little thing is unrighteous also in much." — Luke 16:10 (NASB)
Even if what is given to us
is a small, ordinary worldly job, let us be faithful in that work. Concerning
how servants should serve their masters, the Apostle Paul writes:
"...not by way of
eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God
from the heart." — Ephesians 6:6 (NASB)
And further:
"With good will render
service, as to the Lord, and not to men..." — Ephesians 6:7 (NASB) (Note:
Evaluated as verse 7 in the NASB alignment)
This means we must work with
the mindset that the Lord Himself is the ultimate Master of the worldly work we
do.
God uses precisely those who
are faithful in these small things for His own work. The Apostle Paul reflects
on this, saying:
"I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting
me into service..." — 1 Timothy 1:12 (NASB)
Many people do not give the
same enthusiasm to living a faithful life as they do to attending church
services, participating in prayer meetings, or giving offerings. Yet,
faithfulness is the very qualification required to draw near to God's presence.
We read:
"...let us draw near
with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." — Hebrews
10:22 (NASB)
Even in this world, many
companies identify faithful employees and promote them to high positions. That
being the case, how can God entrust greater, heavenly blessings to unfaithful
people? Indeed, the place designated for unfaithful liars is hell:
"...and all liars,
their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death." — Revelation 21:8 (NASB) Thus warns the Lord God.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1936
📆 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
"But as he was
discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became
frightened and said, 'Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will
summon you.'" (Acts 24:25, NASB)
Generally, humans do not
like it when others point out their faults, shortcomings, and sins. This is
especially true for those in positions of power and authority—accepting
criticism from others is almost impossible for them. However, for those who do
accept it, there is a path to change their lives. In a similar way, the words
spoken by Paul, a prisoner awaiting trial, pierced Felix to the heart and
filled him with fear. Yet, he did not repent.
Many people do not want to
face the truth face-to-face. King Felix was just the same. We read that as Paul
spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come; Felix became
frightened. What was the reason for this fear? It meant that qualities like
righteousness and self-control were absent in his life. Therefore, his heart
was convicted.
When the Apostle Paul was
arrested under accusations from the Jews and held as a prisoner for trial in
Caesarea, King Felix interrogated him. Even in that legal trial, Paul’s answers
and defences manifested purely as gospel proclamations. Hearing the words Paul
spoke, Felix became terrified.
Today, many people are just
like this. Many who read the Aathavan Bible meditations thoroughly enjoy
and talk about messages of blessing. At the same time, they do not like
messages that impact them personally or pierce their hearts. This becomes quite
obvious when looking at the comments left on Aathavan messages across
social media. Yes, if you constantly speak words of blessing, people will
praise you. But most people do not appreciate the explanation of verses that
expose their hidden sins.
The words spoken by the
Apostle Paul terrified King Felix. Therefore, he sent him away, saying,
"Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you."
Beloved, because God desires everyone to repent, He waits patiently and reveals
Himself to people in various ways. If we fail to use those opportunities and
brush them off like King Felix, saying, "Go away, I will speak to you when
I find time," we cannot attain the experience of salvation.
If hearing certain
scriptures causes us irritation, anger, or fear, it means there is some
deficiency within us. Instead of getting angry at the verse or the person
sharing it, let us examine ourselves, ask God for forgiveness, and repent.
"...for He says, 'At a favourable
time I listened to you, and on a day of salvation I helped you.' Behold, now is
'a favourable time,' behold, now is 'a day of salvation'—" (2 Corinthians
6:2, NASB)
If we harbour a mindset like
King Felix—thinking, "You may leave, I will listen to your speech when I
have time"—we may end up in a state where we never truly come to know
Christ in our lives.
"Seek the Lord while He
may be found; Call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6, NASB)
💥 “AATHAVAN” 🌳
Meditation – No. 1937
📆 Thursday, May 28, 2026
“Is there yet a man in the
wicked house, along with treasures of wickedness and a short measure that is
cursed? Can I justify wicked scales and a bag of deceptive weights?” — Book of
Micah 6:10–11 (NASB)
God greatly desires
repentance from sinful life. He shows abundant love toward those who truly turn
back to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to deliver mankind from
the darkness of sin and to lead them into eternal light.
However, when a person comes
to the Lord in repentance, that repentance must be genuine and complete. God
does not desire people who turn to Him only temporarily in order to escape from
problems, suffering, or sickness, perform a few good deeds, and then return
again to their old sinful lifestyle.
Our old sinful nature must
be completely removed from us. Today’s meditation verse clearly says: “Are
there not still treasures gained by wickedness in your house? Are there not
dishonest measures, deceitful scales, and false weights still remaining with
you? How then can I consider you pure?” says the Lord God.
Dishonest scales and false
weights symbolize a person’s wickedness and corruption. How can the Holy Lord
accept the prayers of someone who continues to hold on to sinful habits or
keeps the instruments that enable sinful practices, while outwardly coming to
the temple and praying? How can such prayers be considered pure before God?
We read the same truth in
the book of Book of Isaiah:
“So, when you spread out
your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you
multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash
yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
Stop doing evil.” — Isaiah 1:15–16 (NASB)
When a man named Zaccheus
encountered our Lord Jesus Christ, his life was completely transformed. As a
tax collector, his house was filled with treasures gained through unrighteous
means, just as today’s meditation verse describes. But after Jesus entered his
life, Zaccheus decided to remove all those things.
Therefore,
“Zaccheus stopped and said
to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and
if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.’” —
Gospel of Luke 19:8 (NASB)
When he became willing to
forsake both the treasures gained through wickedness and the deceitful nature
within him, “Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house,
because he, too, is a son of Abraham.’” — Luke 19:9 (NASB)
Yes, beloved, we cannot
pretend before God merely for the sake of our needs. The sinful attitudes and
corrupt practices within us must be completely removed. As long as the
dishonest measure, the deceitful scales, and the false weights still remain
with us, how can God consider us pure?
Only when we forsake them
completely, like Zaccheus, can we truly rejoice in the genuine blessings and
salvation of God.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation – No. 1938
📆 Friday, May 29, 2026
"For Israel has
forgotten his Maker and built temples" — Hosea 8:14
Today, we see various
magnificent, massive Christian churches being built across our country.
Millions of dollars are spent by people to build such churches in a lavish,
showy manner, and they do not worry about the cost. In many places, there is a
competitive race to raise their church steeples higher than the steeples of neighbouring
towns. When asked to contribute to church construction, people rarely refuse;
they readily give whatever money they can afford.
Church committees work
incredibly hard to collect donations for building construction. They travel
hundreds of miles to raise funds. In addition to this, money is gathered
through church lotteries and raffle prizes.
However, a serious question
remains: Do those who restlessly pursue these donations, along with the
ministers who cooperate with them, truly know Christ in their personal lives?
Are they living a spiritual life? Out of all those who show immense enthusiasm
for fundraising and building maintenance, how many actually strive to grow in
the knowledge of God?
Yes, dearly beloved, working
tirelessly for church projects while failing to know God on a personal level is
precisely what today’s scripture painfully points out: "Israel has
forgotten his Maker and built temples."
Dearly beloved, as believers
of the Lord living in the New Testament era, we are the spiritual Israel. Our
very body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes:
"Or do you not know
that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from
God, and that you are not your own?" — 1 Corinthians 6:19
Yes, we are not our own; we
belong to God. First and foremost, it is essential that our bodies, which
belong to God, remain holy.
"Do you not know that
you are a temple of the God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" — 1
Corinthians 3:16
The first temple we must
build up is the temple of our own body. There is no meaning in trying to build
or help build a sky-high church while remaining sinners in the body. There is
no value in having the names of those who laboured for it etched onto
commemorative stone plaques once the church is finished. God does not desire
these kinds of actions. Those who forget their Maker yet build temples are
often acting out of empty personal pride.
We must build the temple of
our body not with mere earth and stone, but upon Jesus Christ. That is, we must
build our spiritual lives upon Christ, who is the laid foundation. As the
Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:11-12, no one can lay any foundation other
than the one already laid. If we neglect the temple of our body—focusing
instead on building earthly structures out of pride and a desire for human
recognition—and end up defiling our physical temple, it will bring great
destruction to our souls.
This is exactly why the
Apostle Paul gives us this warning and counsel:
"If anyone destroys the
temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is
what you are." — 1 Corinthians 3:17
Yes, dearly beloved, let us
first make every effort to keep the temple of our body holy.
The Lord God asks us:
"‘Heaven is My throne,
and the earth is the footstool of My feet; what kind of house will you build
for Me?’ says the Lord, ‘Or what place is there for My repose?" — Acts
7:49
Yes, the temple of our body
is far greater than a church built with stones, sand, and bricks. Let us make
every effort to build up this temple by living a holy life. That is exactly
what God desires.
💥 "AATHAVAN"
Meditation - No. 1939
📆 May 30, 2026, Saturday
"He does not delight in
the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The
Lord favours those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness." (Psalm
147:10-11)
In this world, human beings
can accomplish many remarkable feats through their own personal strength.
Because people successfully achieve things by relying on their self-reliance,
many fail to give God the honour due to Him, living instead with the mindset of
"I can do everything by myself." Even if they do not express this
outwardly, it remains their inner disposition. Consequently, they often
discriminate against and mentally marginalize those whom they consider less
capable or inferior to themselves.
However, no matter how
powerful or influential we may be, we can do nothing without the grace of the
Lord. This is exactly what we read in today's meditation verse: "He
does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the
legs of a man." In this verse, the "horse" and the
"legs of a man" represent self-reliance and human strength. The horse
is a powerful animal, used in ancient times for warfare. A mighty cavalry and a
vast number of foot soldiers were symbols of a king's strength. Yet, these
alone do not guarantee victory.
Pharaoh possessed a powerful
cavalry, chariots, and a massive army. On the other hand, the people of Israel
led by Moses had none of these. They moved forward relying solely on the grace
of God. The events that unfolded in the end are well known to us. Yes, the
mighty cavalry and warriors perished in the Red Sea. Indeed, dear friends, just
as today's meditation verse declares, the Lord favours those who fear Him and
wait for His lovingkindness. He delivers them from the evils of this world and
guides them.
The lesson this meditation
verse teaches us is this: regardless of the physical strength, position,
wealth, or status we may possess, all of it is akin to the self-reliance that
Pharaoh trusted in. If we live in this world relying on these things, the Lord
will not take pleasure in us. Even if we call out to Him in times of distress,
He may remain silent, as if saying, "Manage it on your own with your own
strength."
Furthermore, the Lord God
says that He shows lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Him and keep
His commandments (Exodus 20:6 & Deuteronomy 5:10).
Mother Mary also sings in
her song:
"And His mercy is upon
generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds
with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their
heart." (Luke 1:50-51)
If we highly esteem our own
talents, wealth, and power, and live with pride in the thoughts of our hearts,
God will scatter us. For our God does not delight in the strength of the horse,
nor does He take pleasure in the legs of a man. He favours only those who fear
Him and wait for His lovingkindness.
Let us depend on God's grace
with reverent fear. Only then can we and our descendants live as recipients of
God's blessings.
💥 "AATHAVAN" 🌳
Meditation - No. 1940
📆 May 31, 2026, Sunday
"For, 'The one who
desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his
lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; He must
seek peace and pursue it.'" — 1 Peter 3:10-11
Everyone living in this
world desires to live a long, excellent life. People make various efforts
toward this goal. Many follows different diets and exercise routines to
preserve their physical health.
While these are all good
practices, many do not give the same importance to the mind as they do to the
body. Today, various medical research studies state that many human illnesses
are caused not just by diet, but also by certain psychological behaviours.
Scientists note that anger, irritation, jealousy, and deceitful thoughts are
the root causes of various human diseases.
Just as these negative
thoughts and actions adversely affect the body, positive mental activities
stimulate the secretion of healthy fluids (hormones/endorphins) in the body,
transforming physical ailments. Did not our Lord Jesus Christ command us to "do
good to those who do evil" and to greet homes by saying, "Peace be to
this house"? This is exactly what modern scientific studies are now
pointing out.
In other words, no matter
how much good food we consume or how much we exercise, if our mind is not
right, we cannot see longevity and good days in our life. As today's meditation
verse states, whoever desires a good lifespan and wants to see good days must
guard their tongue from evil, keep their lips from deceit, and turn away from
wickedness. One must do good and seek peace.
The devout Job knew this
truth very well. That is why he says:
"How often is the lamp
of the wicked put out, or does their disaster fall on them? Does He apportion
destruction in His anger?" — Job 21:17
Yes, the lamp of the
wicked—those who commit evil and gather wealth by clothing their tongue and
lips with deceit—will be put out.
Yes, beloved, it is
essential that our body and mind function as one. What our mind thinks, our
tongue and lips must speak. If these are divided, it means we are deceitful.
That is why the Psalmist counsels us:
"Keep your tongue from
evil and your lips from speaking deceit." — Psalm 34:13
The phrase "desires
life" mentioned in this verse can also be interpreted as desiring eternal
life. Yes, it means: "If you desire to attain eternal life, guard your
tongue from evil and your lips from deceit."
Yes, beloved, it is
absolutely essential to give the same importance to nurturing our mind as we do
to caring for our body. Human teachings alone cannot help us practice this,
even though many books of morality say the same things. As human beings, we are
weak. We cannot transform this way by our own strength. Therefore, it is
essential to surrender our lives to God.
Let us pray with true
earnestness:
"Set a guard, O Lord,
over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." — Psalm 141:3
Only then can we receive a
long life and good days.
✍️ Bro. M. Geo Prakash
📞 96889
33712 🌐 Website: aathavanmonthly.blogspot.com
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