You Will Return: Devotion for Saturday, June 4, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday July 4, 2020

Topic: You Will Return         

Text: Isaiah 10:20 – 23                          

God keeps to His words. All over the scripture, He fulfilled all His promises except when we fail to keep our own part of the covenant. He promises are like two sides of the coin, where He honours one side while the person to receive the promise honours the other side. When He told the Israelites, at the bank of Red Sea that the Egyptians they are seeing they will see no more. It was as if it is something very impossible to happen. But God was true to His word.

Here in our text for the day is the assurance that the remnant in exile will return to their Promised Land. Those who remained faithful to God despite the horrors of the invasion are called the remnant. Once Assyria’s army was destroyed, a small group of God’s people would stop relying on Assyria and start trusting God (Isaiah 10:20). This remnant would be but a fraction of Israel’s former population: see Ezra 2:64-65.

Have your life been battered by evil, sickness, sin, etc.? God is promising you that you will return to the position of good health, prosperity, progress, knowledge of God, etc.   

In spiritual terms, the key to being a part of the remnant was faith in Christ Jesus. These remnants are those that God will rapture to be with Him. Being a descendant of Abraham, living in the Promised Land, having trusted God at one time, none of these were good enough.

Beloved, are you relying on your Christian heritage, the fellowship you attend, the church you belong, the rituals of worship, or your past experience to qualify you for belonging to God’s family? These will not count. The key to being a true Christian is faith in Christ Jesus. Are you truly born again?  

Food for Thought: Will you be among those that will return to God when the rapture takes place?

Memory verse: Isaiah 10:21

Prayer: Lord God, always keep me ready for the kingdom till the day you will rapture your saints or till the day of my death

ARROGANCE OF UNBELIEVERS: Devotion for Monday April 27, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 27, 2020

Topic: ARROGANCE OF UNBELIEVERS               

Text: 2 Kings 18:26 – 37                           

A proud and arrogant man has no place in God’s plan. God hates pride and arrogance (James 4:6 & 1 Peter 5:5). When God sees any atom of pride in you, He will not use you for anything; He will not answer your prayers rather His grace will depart and your fall will be mighty. Remember the story of Haman against Mordecai. As Christians, we should as a matter of priority remove pride and arrogance from our lives if we intend to please God and enjoy His benevolence.

From our text, we saw the arrogance and pride of Rabshakeh an officer sent by Sennacherib king of Assyria to Hezekiah. We can see from 2 Kings 18 verse 17, that Rabshakeh is an office and not name of a person. Their speaker spoke arrogantly because they don’t know the God of Israel. He compared God of Israel to gods of other land that cannot deliver. After all the display of pride and arrogance, Hezekiah’s men didn’t utter a word. No wonder people say that silence is the best answer to a fool.

In chapter 19, we saw how God discomfited and chased them away. WHO CAN BATTLE WITH THE LORD? This is how unbelievers boast and send threats against believers but at last God will always put them to shame. Are people threatening because they feel they are greater than you? Your God of Israel will disgrace them.

Food for Thought: Who can battle with the Lord?

Memory verse: 2 Kings 18:29 

Prayer: Remove arrogance and pride from me O Lord because no one can battle with you.

Pride And Its Effect

Devotion for Friday February 23, 2018

Topic: Pride And Its Effect

Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Him; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. His desire was to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. He boasted of the great things he has done to other nations (Isaiah 10:8 – 11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he was, and puts the staff into his hand (Isaiah 10:5). If he had consulted Nebuchadnezzar, he wouldn’t have been so pompous. His pomposity provoked God’s anger (Isaiah 10:12 – 15). 

Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (Isaiah 10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. 

Beloved, do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Psalm 75:7; Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). 

Sing A&M 194; Abu 177.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23                

Memory verse: Isaiah 10:12

Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have given to me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me in Jesus name. Amen      

ANOINTING BREAK YOKES: Devotion for Thursday June 23, 2016

ANOINTING BREAK YOKES: Devotion for Thursday June 23, 2016

Text: Isaiah 10:24 – 34     Memory verse: v 27

God's purpose was to use the Assyrian not to destroy, but to purify his people. Unfortunately, they abused it. Now God is assuring His people that though Assyria may treat them badly as Egypt did to their forefather, but that bondage will be broken (10:25). According to prophet Isaiah, God will raise a scourge against Assyria which will lead to breaking of the yoke of bondage (10:27). Before now, King Hezekiah has been under heavy bondage of the Assyrians. This was a grievous yoke and burden to them, but they shall no more pay that tribute to the king of Assyria. Before this invasion he exacted from them (2 Kings 18:14). Now they shall be no longer at his service, nor lie at his mercy, as they have done; nor shall he ever again put the country under contribution. This was God’s assurance.

God is never pleased to see His children suffer especially in the hands of the unbelievers. Most times He allows them to have upper hand against us because of His jealous love for us. By virtue of our repentance, we have been anointed of God. It is that anointing that will break every yoke of bondage of sin and the devil in our lives. Every child of God carries this anointing. For this reason God gave the charge in Ps. 105:15. In the name of God, I decree today that every yoke on your neck be it sin, indebtedness, poverty, sickness, etc, will be broken in Jesus name. This is your privilege as a Christian.

Food for Thought: What does Psalm 105:15 imply? 

Prayer: God, let your anointing upon my life break every yoke of sin, bondage, captivity, sickness, demonic influence, etc in my life and family.

EFFECT OF PRIDE: Devotion for Tuesday June 21, 2016

Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19       Memory verse: v 12

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Himself; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. He designs to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. The Assyrian, boasts what great things he has done to other nations (10:8–11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he is, and puts the staff into his hand (10:5). How I wished he consulted Nebuchadnezzar. He wouldn’t have been so pompous.

This provoked God’s anger (10:12–15). Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. Do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Ps 75:7; Matt 23:12; Lk 18:14).

Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honour, 

Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have deposited in me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me.

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

 

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 19:20 – 34      Memory verse: v 22

Prov. 14:31 and 17:5 are similar. These two passages speak about making mockery of the poor and helpless which is indirectly reproaching God their Maker. God said here “It is I, the Lord” – (Living Bible) you have reproached. This is foolishness of unbelievers. After Hezekiah had prayed, God sent words to him through Isaiah, the son of Amoz with the words in 19:21ff. God made it clear that Sennacherib king of Assyria, through his messengers has reproached Him and therefore will face the consequences. God replied to Sennacherib’s taunting words (18:19–25), indicting him for arrogance. Sennacherib believed his kingdom had grown because of his own efforts and strength. In reality, he succeeded only because of what He had allowed and caused. Then God decreed what will happen between Hezekiah and Sennacherib (19:30 – 34).

There are so many ways we ridicule God in our arrogance and ignorance. When we despise fellow human being just because we are better off, we reproach God. Can you mention other ways we ridicule God? What the King of Assyria and his men did were done out of ignorance and arrogance. Most of us do so thinking that what we are today is a result of hard work. It is God who makes us. Therefore we shouldn’t use our positions to intimidate others. Rather, in humility, we should be appreciative of what God has made us.

Food for Thoughts: Do you reproach God by ridiculing or reproaching fellow human being?

Prayer: Deliver me, O Lord, from every form of arrogance and ignorance in my life in Jesus name.         

WHERE LIES YOUR CONFIDENCE? Devotion for Sunday November 29, 2015

WHERE LIES YOUR CONFIDENCE?   Sunday November 29, 2015

Text: Isaiah 36:1 – 10              Memory verse: v 5

Hezekiah refused to serve the King of Assyria which made him to occupy the fortified cities of Judah. He sent Rabshakeh to meet with Hezekiah but Hezekiah sent his men to negotiation table. Rabshakeh tried to convince the Jews that it was to no purpose for them to refuse to serve the King of Assyria. He asked the Jews the kind of confidence they have. His speech showed a great deal of art but a great deal of pride, malice, falsehood, and blasphemy. Hezekiah's nobles held their peace. There is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak.

The Jews were calm because they know whom they trust. They were not perturbed by the threat and blasphemies because their God can defend Himself. When enemies throw their challenges, what do you do? Do you start fidgeting or you keep calm knowing whom you trust? Who do you confide in, in time of trouble? Hezekiah and his men trusted God and He fought for them.

Food for Thought: Enemies threat doesn’t move one who confides in God.

Prayer: God, may I confide in you so that I will not be moved by the threats of the enemies.