God Stooped and Feeds Us: Devotion for Saturday August 15, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday August 15, 2020

Topic: God Stooped and Feeds Us                                 

Text: Hosea 11:1 – 7                             

God has always loved Israel as a parent loves a stubborn child, and that is why He would not release Israel from the consequences of its behaviour. The Israelites were sinful, and they would be punished like a rebellious son brought by his parents before the elders (Deuteronomy 21:18 – 21). Despite Israel’s sad history of willful disobedience and idol worship, God repeatedly offered to restore the nation if it would only turn to Him.

God’s discipline requires times of leading and times of feeding. Sometimes the rope is taut; sometimes it is slack. God’s discipline is always in form of love and its object is always the well being of His people. Hosea 11:4 is an appropriate image of God's deliverance of Israel from the Egyptian yoke, and of His feeding them in the wilderness.

The recall of God's goodness and tenderness towards us in the days of our spiritual darkness and weakness ought to keep us very humble and very near to His mercy-seat. God’s love for us is great. It is far beyond problems and troubles of life. When He allows us to go through trouble, it is His way of making us to recall His love for us.

God uses various ways to discipline us. He feeds us by making provisions for us despite our weaknesses. He brought down the food of angels for His people to eat (Psalm 78:25). Do you lack food for the day, God will provide for you. Keep trusting Him because He is a great provider but you should not capitalise on his benevolence and remain in sin. He is also a Jealous God.

Food for Thought: He is a great provider, a great provider (2x). He will surely provide for me, a great provider.

Memory verse: Hosea 11: v 4

Prayer: God, the great provider, provide for me all that are necessary for my physical and spiritual well-being in Jesus name.

God’s Chastening, Our Benefit

Devotion for Wednesday July 25, 2017

Topic: God’s Chastening, Our Benefit

Text: Job 5:17 – Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

The Greek word ‘paidedeia’ was translated chastening meaning disciplinary correction. There are blessings in God’s chastening us. This sentence looks paradoxical but that is the truth some may not accept but there are benefits from God’s chastening. God turns His heart towards us when He corrects us but His heart turns from the wicked when He punishes them. His corrections are not sent to take away our comforts but to take away our corruptions. Again, corrections are not manifestations of wrath, but an evidence of His love. If God reproves a person and same responds rightly, then God will deliver that individual from all adversity and trouble. The chastening of God is a sign that we are God’s children and an assurance of God’s love and concern for us (Hebrews 12:6 – 8). Our happiness as Christians does not consist in our outward comforts; in riches, in health, in honour, in civil liberty or human relationship. Rather, our happiness consists in our relationship with God and in union with Jesus Christ. God chastises us so that we might not be finally condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32) and that we might share His Holiness, living sanctified lives without which we will never see the Lord (Hebrews 12:10 – 11, 14). How do you respond to God’s chastening?

Food for Thought: Absolute trust in God sustains us in trials and in due time, it secures certain, full and eternal deliverance.

Memory verse: Hebrews 12:6 - For whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the grace to look out for the benefits in chastening me and not minding its pain, discomfort and inconveniences.

PEACEABLE FRUITS: Devotion for Wednesday January 13, 2016

PEACEABLE FRUITS       Wednesday January 13, 2016

Text: Hebrew 12:4 – 11        Memory verse: v 11

It is Robin Sharma’s opinion that, “All great work requires daily practice and endless patience.” Daily practices with patience are the things that can bring out the best in great men of exploits. The writer of this epistle exhorts us on the need for training and discipline in the life of Christians which will definitely lead to peaceable fruits of righteousness. The writer noted that from the gentle and moderate degree, and measure of their sufferings: they have not yet resisted unto shedding of blood in striving against sin (12:4). They were reminded that they have not suffered as much as some have suffered, noting that the essence of all these is to pass through the chastising of the Lord (12:5) which comes out of His (God’s) love for us (Hebrews 12:5–11).

Beloved, the chastisement of God yields, like a good tree, the good fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22, 23). It brings out the best in us just as passing of gold in fire makes it shine better. It’s never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by God, but His discipline is a sign of His deep love for us. When God corrects us, see it as proof of His love, and ask Him what He is trying to teach you. What discipline are you going through at this moment? Therein are lessons that will lead you to righteousness. Do not resist it.

Food for Thought: Hebrew 12:6

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to yield to your chastisement for my own good