DAY 30: RAISING UP BUMIPUTERA CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN MALAYSIA

DAY 30: RAISING UP BUMIPUTERA CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN MALAYSIA

SCRIPTURE:

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them Joshua 1:6

OBSERVATION:

Indigenous Christians in Sabah and Sarawak make up 64% of the Christian community in Malaysia, making them the backbone of the church in the country. However, due to poverty and lack of education, many there have been subject to victimization and manipulation by evil men who have cheated them out of their rightful land, taken advantage of their women, and even subjected them to harsh labor in their own homes. Now, even their way of worship is threatened by parties using religion for political mileage.

The Church in Peninsular who are strong in resources and knowledge and ability need to lend their strength to their brothers and sisters in East Malaysia, so that they too can become strong and stand up for what is right and true. The consistent call to Joshua before he entered the promised land was to be Strong and Courageous.

All leadership needs to be strong and courageous to be effective. A leader must be strong in standing up for the truth, not being easily swayed by popular opinion or peer pressure. He must stay rooted like a tree with firm roots standing firm even in the face of the greatest winds. Likewise, being courageous often means going against stern opposition. People don’t like being told what they don’t like to hear, but the leader must remain true to speak out the truth without fear or favor.

APPLICATION:

We in Peninsular need to pray for those in East Malaysia with renewed fervency, and also look for ways where we can be of practical help and training. Many from Sabah and Sarawak have also found their way here for employment opportunities, and we would do well to also reach out to their communities here to help and strengthen them where we can. Individually, each one of us is also called to be a Joshua, to be strong and courageous, and to lead others to Christ, by word and deed and example. So let us also pray for God to instill His spirit in us like He did in Joshua, a truly strong and courageous spirit.

PRAYER:

We praise and worship You, Father Lord, for You created all things well. We thank You for Your great love for all of us here in Malaysia, both in the East and the West. You called us to be Your own, in one accord as one family. Forgive us O Lord, for neglecting our fellow brothers and sisters. Bind us together we pray, that we may truly love and care for each other, and support each other in love and unity. Pour out Your Spirit of strength and boldness too we pray, for You did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. Empower us O Lord, to do Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.