When God Emphasizes A Words: Devotion for Monday July 6, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday July 6, 2020

Topic: When God Emphasizes A Words       

Text: Joshua 1:1 – 9                                   

In our text, God used the phrase “Be strong and of good courage,” 3 times in verses 6, 7 and 9. God used this phrase 3 times here because that was the area of Joshua’s strength but he seems not to have understood that. He wants Joshua to understand that He is with him and has empowered him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Joshua, though a person of great courage and resolution, had severally proved that he was, yet he needs these exhortations. The reason is that his work was great, and difficult, and long, and in a great measure new. Again he needed the exhortation because he had a very mean opinion of himself, especially if compared with Moses; and remembering how perverse and ungovernable that people were, even under Moses, he might very well suspect the burden of ruling them would be too heavy for his shoulders.

Most times it is in the area of our strength that devil brings fear to intimidate us. Joshua knew that he has the charisma, character and ability to lead the people yet, he was reluctant and unwilling. In the days of Gideon, he was afraid of the Midianites even when he has the power already. It was the power in him that made the angel of the Lord to urge him to go in that strength.

What are the areas of your strength? Are you using them to their full potential or you are waiting for God to emphasize on it before you realize that you have such strength?

Food for Thought: Most times devil intimidates or tempts us based on our strength.

Memory verse: Joshua 1:9 

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to recognize my strength and use it for your glory.

Why Suffer If God Is With Us: Devotion for Tuesday June 16, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 16, 2020

Topic: Why Suffer If God Is With Us

Text: Judges 6:11 – 18                                      

Most Christians believe that they can’t suffer if God is with them. But this is not the true case. God was with Joseph even in the prison (Genesis 39:23). He was there in the prison with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25ff). The presence of these men in prison turned out to glorify God and grant them favour as in the case of Joseph. God was in the Lion’s Den with Daniel and we have so many other examples.

This is what we should understand that suffering, temptation and trials are never signs that God has forgotten us or is no more with us. When we have this understanding, it will help us to weather all storms of life in faith and optimism that our God will bring us out of them at last.

Gideon queried the Angel of the Lord when the angel greeted him saying, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour (Judges 6:12b)!" The reaction of Gideon to this greeting did not come from distrust, but from weakness of faith. No man in this life can have a perfect faith because we falter most times: yet the children of God have a true faith, by which they are justified.

The way Gideon reacted is the way most of us react when we hear some preaching about God’s faithfulness while we are suffering from lack, sickness, bondage of Satan, etc. We easily rebuff the message that God cannot be with us and the devil is dealing mercilessly with us.

Beloved, remember that God is not unmindful of what we suffer (compare Psalm 111:5). Keep trusting Him for at the appropriate time, He will send help/deliverance or salvation.  

Food for Thought: Why do you complain? Did God promise us life free from suffering?                          

Memory verse: Judges 6:13                   

Prayer: Lord, grant me proper understanding of your will for me so that I will not complain over things I pass through in life.

Why Do We Suffer If God Is With Us?

Devotion for Thursday May 17, 2018

Topic: Why Do We Suffer If God Is With Us?

Text: Judges 6:11 – 18

Most Christians believe that they can’t suffer if God is with them. But this is not the true case. God was with Joseph even in the prison (Genesis 39:23). He was there in the prison with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25ff). The presence of these men in prison turned out to glorify God and grant them favour as in the case of Joseph. This is what we should understand that suffering, sickness, temptation and trials are never signs that God has forgotten us or is no more with us. When we have this understanding, it will help us to go through all storms of life in faith and optimism that our God will bring us out of them at last. Gideon queried the angel of the Lord when the angel greeted him saying, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!” (Judges 6:12b). The reaction of Gideon to this greeting did not come from distrust, but from weakness of faith. This is how we falter most times: yet the children of God have a true and not perfect faith, by which they are justified. Some of us react the same way too when we hear some preaching about God’s faithfulness while we are suffering from lack, sickness, bondage of Satan, etc. We easily rebuff the message that God cannot be with us and the devil will be dealing with us mercilessly. But we should always remember that God is not unmindful of what we suffer (compare Psalm 111:5). Charlotte Elliott who became invalid at about 30 years old wrote A&M 357, Abu 193 on a wheel chair. Let’s sing to get her message for us in that hymn.

Food for Thought: Do not make your life miserable by complaining because God promise us life free from suffering.

Memory verse: Judges 6:13

Prayer: Lord, grant me proper understanding of your will for me so that I will not complain over things I pass through in life.

A CALL TO LIBERATE

Devotion for Tuesday December 27, 2016

Topic: A CALL TO LIBERATE                                     

Text: Judges 6:11 – 24                          

God called Gideon to liberate Israel from the hands of Medianites with a promise in Judges 6:16, “I will be with you.” Regardless of all those promises, Gideon still had excuses to give, why he shouldn’t carry out the assignment from God. This is how many of us give excuses on why we cannot go for evangelism or preach to that woman or man; why we cannot take up one responsibility or another in the church of God. God has given us the mandate to liberate sinners from the kingdom of darkness (Matthew 28:19, 20) but many of us have not taken this command seriously. Do you give excuse when your Pastor calls for evangelism? Have a change of heart and attitude.

When Gideon finally went, what followed? Find out in chapter Judges 7:9ff. Our call as Christians is to liberate sinners (Acts 1:8). God has done all things necessary for salvation of man. All that is expected of us is to go and preach. The rest is for God to perform; the conversion and salvation of the person. We are called by God to be witnesses and through that liberate those under the captivity of sin and Satan. Do you have the excuse that your neighbour will never repent that is why you will not preach to him? Do you warn people with love in your heart or you do so that God might not ask of their blood in your hands? Always pray for sinners (Luke 10:2) and you will have the zeal to preach to them.

Food for Thought: Ezekiel 33: 7 – 9

Memory verse: Judges 6 verse 14

Prayer: God, create in my heart a passion and concern for sinners.

WHY SUFFER IF GOD IS WITH US: Devotion for Tuesday June 7, 2016

WHY SUFFER IF GOD IS WITH US: Devotion for Tuesday June 7, 2016

Text: Judges 6:11 – 18                  Memory verse:  v 13

Most Christians believe that they can’t suffer if God is with them. But this is not the true case. God was with Joseph even in the prison (Gen 39:23). He was there in the prison with Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25ff). The presence of these men in prison turned out to glorify God and grant them favour as in the case of Joseph. This is what we should understand that suffering, temptation and trials are never signs that God has forgotten us or He is no more with us. When we have this understanding, it will help us to weather all storms of life in faith and optimism that our God will bring us out of them at last.

Gideon queried the angel of the Lord when the angel greeted him saying, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour (6:12b)!" The reaction of Gideon to this greeting did not come from distrust, but from weakness of faith. No man in this life can have a perfect faith because we falter most times: yet the children of God have a enough faith, by which they are justified. This is how most of us react when we hear some preaching about God’s faithfulness while we are suffering from lack, sickness, bondage of Satan, etc. We easily rebuff the message that God cannot be with us and the devil is dealing mercilessly with us. Beloved, remember that God is not unmindful of what we suffer (Ps. 111:5).

Food for Thought: Why do you complain? Did God promise us life free from suffering?

Prayer: Lord, grant me proper understanding of your will for me so that I will not complain over things I pass through in life.