BLESSEDNESS IN MEEKNESS

Devotion for Saturday December 17, 2016

Topic: BLESSEDNESS IN MEEKNESS       

Text: Matthew 5 verse 5                    

The meek are those people who are gentle and forgiving, submissive and teachable, patient under injuries, disposed not to render evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good. Meek symbolized gentle demeanour. Demeanour means somebody’s outward behaviour, manner or appearance especially as it reflects character. Jesus was gentle as He attested in Matthew 11:29. Meekness is the opposite of a quarrelsome and revengeful attitude but shouldn’t be misunderstood as meanness, or a surrender of our rights, or cowardice. Meekness produces peace. It is proof of true greatness of soul and it comes from a heart too great to be moved by little insults. Do you have such heart? Are you easily moved by insults?

To inherit the earth means to receive and enjoy every earthly and spiritual blessing that is for our best good here, and reign with Christ for ever hereafter. Our text, quoted from Psalm 37:11 is the passage Jehovah Witness hold on to as their claim that there is no heaven. Don’t be deceived by their lopsided view of the scriptures. In Psalm 37 from where these words were taken, the promise to the meek is not held forth as an arbitrary recompense but as having a kind of natural fulfillment. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our hearts. When we commit our ways to Him, He brings it to pass; bringing forth our righteousness as the light.

Food for Thought: The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in human heart; in human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility – Vaclav Havel

Memory verse: Matthew 5 verse 5

Prayer: God grant me the spirit of meekness which is a panacea for receiving my blessings in Jesus name. 

BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS 2: Devotion for Monday October 10, 2016

BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS 2: Devotion for Monday October 10, 2016

Text: Psalm 112:6 – 10    Memory verse: Psalm 112 verse 6

A man of faith who loves God is fearless and he overcomes (1 John 5:4 & 5) just as we read yesterday. David was fearless when he confronted Goliath and he overcame a well known warrior and champion. If you are afraid, you cannot triumph. Anyone who is afraid will always fail as Saul and other Israelis soldiers failed to have their names written in gold. Anyone who is fearful will easily be shaken. Such person is never stable in his thoughts, faith and actions. Do you want to be victorious and triumph in that spiritual or physical battle you are currently going through? Then fear God and not the devil or man. Sacred Songs & Solos (Sankey) 561 is a great source of insight on how you can be courageous and fearless in your Christian race.

Another blessedness of the righteous is that the person is not shaken. Sometimes, Satan and his agents will try by all means to move the person, but because his foundation in the Lord is firm, he shall never be moved, at least not moved for ever; if he is shaken for a time, yet he settles again quickly. He regains himself like the story I told in yesterday’s devotion.   

Beloved, are you easily shaken by threats of the enemies, lack of basic necessities of life, fear of the unknown, etc? You should always have the words of Christ in mind. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled … (Jn. 14:1). Of a truth, many times I do shake over things that God had done for me previously. However, when I remember what God did previously for me, I will regain myself. That shows the vulnerability of man. Things can move us but when we hide the word of God in our hearts, we can dig them out and strengthen ourselves.

A righteous man will have a good reputation, and that gives him satisfaction. He strives for a good name; a name for good things, with God and man. These will make people to remember him forever (112:6b). His heart is established because he fears the Lord and he is never afraid. What can be said about you? Is your heart established in the Lord? Are you easily shaken by problems? Then trust the Lord for in Him, you will be established and not be shaken.

Food for Thought: An established heart in the Lord can never be shaken.

Prayer: God, establish my heart in you so that problems of life will not shake me.

BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS: Devotion for Sunday October 9, 2016

BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS: Devotion for Sunday October 9, 2016

Text: Psalm 112:1 – 5     Memory verse: Psalm 112 verse 1

Few days ago, I travelled to Abuja with my wife and baby in a public transport. On our way after Okene and before Lokoja, we had a flat tyre. The spare tyre in the vehicle was not good. We saw a cyclist and requested that he should take the driver to the nearest town to effect repairs on the tyre. As the cyclist packed near me, he asked, “Baa Hausa – Do I hear Hausa” and I responded negatively. He muttered English by saying, “This place e no good – This place is not good” Immediately he said that, I became afraid and many thoughts came into my mind about the enemies attacking us. After some few minutes, I came to my sense and started binding the devil and his evil thoughts. That was how I overcame the fear.

Someone once said that fear is devil’s strongest weapon of war. The moment he succeeds in putting fear into you, all other things like doubt, intimidation, anxiety, worries, despair, etc, will follow. Jesus warns us not to fear anyone who can’t kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). Most importantly, we should understand that we can overcome fear when we trust in God just as the Psalmist posited here in our bible reading for the day. In the opinion of Family Bible Note, “Trust in God keeps the souls of His people in peace, while others are quaking with apprehension of evils that are coming upon them.” Trust in God, grants us boldness and authority for exploits.     

Who are these fearless people the Psalmist mentioned in Psalm 112:1? What are they known for as we have in Psalm 112:1b? When we fear God and obey His command, we cannot fear any man rather we can respect them if they deserve it (Luke 12:4 & 5). Sin brings fear. The heart of the righteous is established as Treasury of David asserts here, that the Psalmist's love for God is deep and true, his confidence in God is firm and unmoved; his courage has a firm foundation, and is supported by Omnipotence. He has become settled by experience, and confirmed by years. He is not a rolling stone, but a pillar in the house of the Lord. Do you love, fear and obey God?

Food for Thought: Psalm 1:1 and 2

Prayer: God, grant me the heart to fear and obey your command in Jesus name.

WHEN YOUR HEART IS STEADFAST: Devotion for Saturday November 14, 2015

WHEN YOUR HEART IS STEADFAST       Saturday November 14, 2015

Text: Psalm 112:1 – 10         Memory verse: v 7

Our bible reading speaks about the blessedness of the righteous (112:1). He is rooted and established by God so that neither men nor devils shall sweep him from his place. His prosperity shall be permanent. A steadfast heart is secured from calamities which overtakes the wicked. His love for God is deep and true, his confidence in God is firm and unmoved; his courage has a firm foundation, and is supported by God. He is not a rolling stone, but a pillar in God’s house.

We ought to live without fear; our heroes were fearless people who faced dangers and overcome them. This psalm teaches us that fear of God can lead to a fearless life. To fear God means to respect and revere Him as the Almighty. When we trust God completely to take care of us, we will find out that our other fears, even of death itself, will subside. Is your heart steadfast in God?

Food for Thought: Proverbs 1:33

Prayer: God, establish me in honesty and make my heart steadfast in you