November 5, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.” (Genesis 25.22)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Yesterday, I reflected on Isaac’s belief in the power of prayer to resolve a troubling issue. That issue was the fact that his wife, Rebekah, was childless. We do not know if he blamed himself or Rebekah for the reality of infertility. We know that He believed the answer was known by God and so was the resolution. He was not disappointed, for whatever the reason, his prayer was answered. Rebekah became pregnant. Not only did she become pregnant, but she was the was the mother of twins. Restless twins. Twins in turmoil with each other who battled for domination one over the other or one instead of the other. She did not know what was happening inside her womb. Regardless, she was troubled by the situation. No one had an answer. No one but God, to whom she turned in prayer, had an answer. So, not only did Isaac believe, so, too, did Rebekah. This reinforced the testimony of the power of prayer for true believers; it was the testimony of two. Such a definition of a perfect witness was critical in making something legitimately and legally true. It could not be doubted nor disbelieved if two people came together to offer their testimony and be in agreement. We would hear such a definition in the teachings of Jesus, as recorded at Matthew 18.20, “Where two or more are gathered in My name, there I AM with them.”

In the teaching of Jesus, this understanding was not merely a declaration of God blessed believers but a true witness to the declaration and discernment of the presence of sin and wrongdoing. It was due to such irrefutable evidence that a reconciliation was the hope. And not simply reconciliation but a restoration. To confront the sinner with his/her sin with a perfect witness was pursued so that the one who had sinned would not be lost to the community to which they belonged. It was considered legally binding and spiritually true. Embracing this purposing then of a dual witness to the power of prayer is a calling for all believers to join in the same belief and practice. It is as if they are saying, “It is true not because I say so, but because we say so. And not just because we say so, but because we stand together in the presence of Almighty God. It is through Him alone that there can be a justification which leads to reconciliation, renewal and restoration.” So why is it that we pray a prayer that is powerful and true? It is because it is not for us alone that we pray. It is that we come into agreement with others in the midst of God who testifies He is there in the midst of us, too.

TODAYS’ PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.