The Lord Remembers Us: Devotion for Tuesday June 2, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 2, 2020 

Topic: The Lord Remembers Us                

Text: 1 Samuel 1: 19 – 27                                

There is no condition we pass through in life that God is not aware of and He always plans ways of escape or ways of solving our problems for us. Most times because of our impatience, we miss out in His plans thinking He is inconsiderate to our needs. It is not always true. When God delays our blessings or devil stands against our blessings, when it is finally released, it will become a great blessing for us and our generation.

God remembered Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19). The remembrance led to one of the greatest prophets of Israel. Though God seem to forget our burdens, troubles, cares, and prayers, yet He will at length ensure that He meets our need so that we will be sure we are not out of His mind. As God remembered Hannah, so He will remember you and solve that lingering problem in Jesus name. 

Blessings obtained of God in answer to prayer should be promptly and gratefully acknowledged, and measures be taken to keep His goodness in perpetual remembrance. Hannah acknowledged God’s manifold blessings (1 Samuel 1:24 – 27). She did not even withhold the child as she promised. For this singular act, God blessed her with more children (1 Samuel 2:21). This shows that when we give God what is due to Him or what we have vowed, He will bless us the more. Have you made any vow to God? Endeavour to fulfill them because it is a way of attracting more blessing upon your life.

Food for Thought: When God remembers us, it makes the difference in what we finally become in life           

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 1:19

Prayer: Lord God, remember me as you remembered Hannah and bless me with the desires of my heart.  2. Today pray for all the women having delay in conception that God will remember them as He remembered Hannah.

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday June 1, 2020   

Topic: Live Above Taunting         

Text: 1 Samuel 1:9 – 18                                 

Taunting can demoralize us for some time when we take it to heart but it should not deter us from living our lives and becoming what we dream of in life. The taunting from Peninnah made Hannah sad that she lost appetite but her husband consoled her and encouraged her to eat (1 Samuel 1:8). Thereafter, the taunting led her into prayer.

She went into prayers after she would have considered the taunting by asking, why should I be angry? Why will I fret over what Peninnah said? Does being angry bring any good to me? Instead of binding the burden upon myself, I had better easy off by praying and casting it upon the Lord. These motivated her into pray and thus she overcame the taunting from Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:10). Is there any lesson for us in the action Hannah took against Peninnah’s taunting? In the bitterness of her soul Hannah prayed and went ahead to back her request with a vow (1 Samuel 1:11). This may have challenged God to answer her speedily.

From the way Hannah treated the challenge and taunting from her mate there are lessons for us.

(1) We shouldn’t waste all our time that should be used for something meaningful in replying our critics and accusers. Rather we should use it to improve ourselves and thus put them to shame.

(2) The taunting and critics from our enemies should inspire us to draw closer to God the more. What Peninnah did made Hannah a prayer warrior. She had no time to reply her but she cast the problem to God because He is the one that solves all problem.

(3) We should occasionally make vows to back up our request as Hannah did.

(4) We should believe God for an answer after praying.

In this new month, as your set aside taunting from the enemies and undermine your critics to improve yourself, God will so bless you and surprise them in Jesus name. Have a fruitful and rewarding month!

Food for Thought: We are the ones that can make taunting relevant when we let it deny us living our lives as we ought to.

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 1:10   

Prayer: Lord, let not the taunting against my life deny me from becoming what you want me to be in Jesus name.

Don’t Taunt People: Devotion for Sunday May 31, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday May 31, 2020

Topic: Don’t Taunt People                             

Text: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 8                             

“If the devotions of a family prevail not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put a stop to the devotions” so says Matthew Henry. Despite the hatred between Hannah and Peninnah in the family of Elkanah, it did not deter him from bringing them to the presence of God in Shiloh every year (1 Samuel 1:3). That goes to justify what Matthew Henry noted above.

Peninnah had children but Hannah had none yet and this gave Peninnah the edge over her which she used in taunting her (1 Samuel 1:6). Though Hannah had no child then, Elkanah still loved her dearly and demonstrated this openly (1 Samuel 1:4, 5). Maybe the love Elkanah had for Hannah made Peninnah to despise and taunt Hannah because of her problem. This is one major problem in polygamy.      

Deuteronomy 7:13, 14 teach that obedience to the terms of the covenant will be rewarded by fertility (in children, flocks, and agricultural produce). Conversely, barrenness to the Israelites was seen an indication of God’s displeasure against them. Under such a system of belief, barren women easily become the object of heart-rending taunts by child-producing second wives, or even neighbours (cf. Genesis 30:1-5; Luke 1:25, 57, 58). Such domestic broils are a natural result of polygamy or bigamy.

Do you taunt people because of their problems; no child, no spouse, no job, physical stature, etc? Remember you are not their God. God rose for Hannah at the end and her name is now a household name. Who hears of Peninnah today? Beware!

Food for Thought: Taunting someone is a mockery against his/her Maker.          

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 1:6

Prayer: Our God in heaven, help me never to taunt someone because of the person’s predicament, trouble or sickness in Jesus name.  

Pray for me as I make my birthday today

It Pays To Wait Upon God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday May 12, 2017

Topic: It Pays To Wait Upon God

Text: John 5:1 – 9

The Psalmist said in Ps 130:5 that he will wait for the lord and hope in His word. Waiting upon God for salvation, healing and deliverance pays and none who does that, will ever be disappointed. Hannah was a woman that was seriously wounded by the taunting of Peninnah her mate (1 Samuel 1:1–18). Rather than gossip or quarrel with her, Hannah chose to wait on God to vindicate her which paid off with a special child – Samuel, a great prophet and many other children (1 Samuel 2:21).

Here is a pathetic story of a man sick for 38 years. Probably his people had abandoned him at the Pool of Bethsaida because they had given up on him. If he goes home, help is not there. If he stays, there is possibility of getting healed but no one there to assist him. Have people given up on you because of your evil ways, sin, sickness, etc? God will arise for you this season. God will remember you in Jesus name. However, the man preferred to stay, waiting patiently for the opportunity to step into the water even though there was nobody there to help him. Yet he will not go away.

Beloved, what is that problem confronting you now? Is it sickness, marriage, no child, quest for admission, job, etc? Just wait patiently on the Lord and He will answer you, and grant you the best. He did it for Zachariah and Elizabeth and also for many other people even in our world of today. Yours will not be an exception.

Food for Thought: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet – Rousseau.

Memory verse: John 5 verse 7

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to perseverance and wait on you for my blessings in Jesus name.

Price Of Godliness (Delayed Conception)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday April 6, 2017

Topic: Price Of Godliness (Delayed Conception) 

Text: Luke 1:5 – 7

In Genesis 29:31, bible recorded that when God saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb but Rachael was barren. What was the wrong of Rachael? Was she the one who desired to be loved? Is it a crime to be beautiful and lovely? God actually wanted to show that He had a hand in the marriage of Leah too and should not be unloved.

Our bible reading stated that Zachariah and Elizabeth were righteous before God but Elizabeth was barren. Moreover they were well advanced in age. This story shows that God does not consider our righteousness in making us fruitful in terms of becoming pregnant otherwise; prostitutes would never have become pregnant. Another lesson from this story of this couple is that when God wants to give people a special child, He delays the conception of the woman. No wonder God blessed them with the greatest man to ever live on this earth outside Jesus Christ.

Remember the case of Hannah too. As a priest, Zachariah loved the wife and they lived righteously. If he had opted for extra marital affair, he would have gotten a child at earlier stage of his life. He didn’t do that because he had the fear of God.

There are many women who are yet to conceive after over 15 years of marriage. Some of them obeyed God and refuse to have pre-marital affair before wedding. The price they are paying for honouring God is delayed conception which could be the handiwork of the devil to make people promiscuous. The case of Elizabeth, Hannah, Rachael, etc should encourage you. God is not asleep and there is nothing impossible with Him. Keep believing in Him and He will honour you with children that are exceptionally brilliant, anointed and godly. Your patience will not be in vain.

Food for Thought: Should delayed conception be the reason to break oath of fidelity or engage in pre-marital sexual relationship?

Memory verse: Luke 1 verse 7

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to remain faithful no matter the consequences of the price I will have to pay.

THE LORD REMEMBERS US: Devotion for Monday May 23, 2016

THE LORD REMEMBERS US: Devotion for Monday May 23, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 1: 19 – 27    Memory verse: v19

There is no condition we pass through in life that God is not aware of and He always plans ways of escape for us. Most times because of our impatience, we miss out in His plans thinking He is inconsiderate to our needs. It is not always true. When our blessings are delayed or devil stands against them and God finally releases them, they will become great blessings for us and our generation. God remembered Hannah (1:19). The remembrance led to one of the greatest prophets of Israel. Though God seem to forget our burdens, troubles, cares, and prayers, yet He will at length ensure that He meets our need so that we will be sure we are not out of His mind. As God remembered Hannah, so He will remember you and solve that lingering problem in Jesus name.  

Blessings obtained of God in answer to prayer should be promptly and gratefully acknowledged, and measures be taken to keep His goodness in perpetual remembrance. Hannah acknowledged God’s manifold blessings (1:24–27). She did not even withhold the child as she promised. For this singular act, God blessed her with more children (1 Samuel 2:21). This shows that when we give God what is due to Him or what we have vowed, He will bless us the more. Have you made any vow to God? Endeavour to fulfill them because it is a way of attracting more blessing upon your life.

Food for Thought: When God remembers us, it makes the difference in what we finally become in life

Prayer: Lord God, remember me as you remembered Hannah and bless me with the desires of my heart. 2. Today pray for all the women having delay in conception that God will remember them as He remembered Hannah.

LIVE ABOVE TAUNTING: Devotion for Sunday May 22, 2016

LIVE ABOVE TAUNTING: Devotion for Sunday May 22, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 1:9 – 18      Memory verse: v 10

Taunting can demoralize us but it should not deter us in living our lives and becoming what we dream of in life. The taunting from Peninnah made Hannah sad that she lost appetite but her husband consoled her and encouraged her to eat (1:8). Thereafter, the taunting led her into prayer. She would have considered the taunting by asking, why should I be angry? Why will I fret over what Peninnah said? Does being angry bring any good to me? Instead of binding the burden upon myself, I had better easy off and cast it upon the Lord in prayer. These motivated her into praying and thus she overcame the taunting from Peninnah (1:10). In the bitterness of her soul Hannah prayed and went ahead to back her request with a vow (1:11). This may have challenged God to answer her speedily.

From the way Hannah treated the challenge and taunting from her mate there are lessons for us. (1) We shouldn’t waste all our time in replying our critics and accusers. Rather we should use it meaningfully to improve ourselves and thus put them to shame. (2) The taunting and critics from our enemies should inspire us to draw closer to God the more. What Peninnah did made Hannah a prayer warrior. She had no time to reply her but she casted the problem to God because He is the one that solves all problem. (3) We should occasionally make vows to back up our request as Hannah did. (4) We should believe God for an answer after praying.

Food for Thought: We are the ones that can make taunting relevant when we let it deny us living our lives as we ought to.    

Prayer: Lord, let not the taunting against my life deny me from becoming what you want me to be in Jesus name.   

DON’T TAUNT PEOPLE: Devotion for Saturday May 21, 2016

DON’T TAUNT PEOPLE: Devotion for Saturday May 21, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 8    Memory verse: v 6

“If the devotions of a family prevail not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put a stop to the devotions” so says Matthew Henry. Despite the problems in the family of Elkanah, it didn’t deter him from bringing them to the presence of God in Shiloh every year (1:3). Peninnah had children but Hannah had none yet and this gave Peninnah the edge over her which she used in taunting her (1:6). Though Hannah had no child then, Elkanah still loved her dearly and demonstrated this openly (1:4, 5). Maybe the love Elkanah had for Hannah made Peninnah to despise and taunt Hannah because of her problem. This is always a problem in polygamy.       

Deut 7:13, 14 teach us that obedience to the terms of the covenant will be rewarded by fertility (in children, flocks, and agricultural produce). Conversely, barrenness to the Israelites was seen as an indication of God’s displeasure against them. Under such a system of belief, barren women easily become the object of heart-rending taunts by child-producing second wives, or even neighbours (Gen. 30:1-5; Lk. 1:25, 57, 58). Such domestic broils are a natural result of polygamy or bigamy. Do you taunt people because of their problems; no child, no spouse, no job, physical stature, etc? Remember you are not their God. God rose for Hannah at the end and her name is now a household name. Who hears of Peninnah today? Beware!

Food for Thought: Taunting someone is a mockery against his/her Maker.

Prayer: Our God in heaven, help me never to taunt someone because of the person’s predicament, trouble or sickness in Jesus name.    

HE GRANTED MY PETITION: Devotion for Wednesday November 18, 2015

HE GRANTED MY PETITION      Wednesday November 18, 2015

Text: 1 Samuel 1:24 – 28                   Memory verse: v 27

Hannah promised (1:11) that her son would be dedicated to lifelong Levitical service (Numbers 4:3; 8:24-26) and would be a lifelong Nazirite (Numbers 6:2-6). God granted her petition and she honoured her vow to God. To do what she promised (1:11), Hannah gave up what she wanted most, her son and presented him to Eli to serve in the house of the Lord. Because Samuel’s life was from God, Hannah was not really giving him up. Rather, she was returning him to God, who had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place. These verses illustrate the kinds of gifts we should give to God. Do your gifts cost you anything?

God granted the petitions of Hannah and she acknowledged it. Do you acknowledge the mercies of God upon your life and that of your family? That God grants our petition is obvious but our response matters so much. When God visits us with His mercies and providence, we should respond with hearts of gratitude for that glorifies Him.

Food for Thought: Blessings that are dear and of greatest comfort are always from the Lord

Prayer: God, grant me a heart of gratitude for your mercies upon my life.   

JUST AS GOD SAID

JUST AS GOD SAID            Wednesday June 24, 2015

Text: 1 King 17:8 – 16          Memory verse: v 16

God’s word that has been spoken doesn’t go back to him without fulfilling the purpose for which it was sent (Isaiah 55:11) When God says something, nothing hinders it from coming to fruition because He is not man who cannot cause His word to manifest (Lamentation 3:37). Verse 16 confirms what God said through Elijah the prophet in 17:14.

When the widow of Zarephath met Elijah, she thought she was going to prepare her last meal. But a simple act of faith produced a miracle. She trusted Elijah and gave all she had to him. Faith is the step between promise and assurance. Miracles seem so out of reach for our feeble faith. However, every miracle, large or small, begins with an act of obedience. We may not see the solution until we take the first step of faith. This is what God expects from us.

God’s word taken to heart by faith is the gateway to miracle. Most people don’t believe the word of God (the Bible) because the name used there is not theirs but Abraham, Moses, Hannah, Elizabeth, Samuel, etc. The proper way to get the real blessing from the word of God is by fixing your name where there is a name. Where it speaks good, you will learn and where it speaks evil you will receive warning. Whatever God has spoken about you, just believe and act in obedience. Is it about your salvation, marriage, studies, job, children, fruit of the womb, etc? It will surely come to pass.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 45:23.

Prayer: Lord God, as you speak to me through your word, grant me the heart to act on them so that all will come to fulfillment in Jesus name.

MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM

MY EXPECTATION IS FROM HIM    Tuesday June 23, 2015

Text: Psalm 62:1 – 7                                 Memory verse: v 5

The Bible severally made it clear that we can’t do anything of our own strength or wisdom (John 15:5). See also Romans 9:16; Zechariah 4:6. The Psalmist knows this fact which made him to submit to God, waiting silently because his expectations can only be fulfilled by God. Christians expect from God because we believe in him. 

Treasury of David Commentary says, “Expectation is the child of prayer and faith, and is owned of the Lord as an acceptable grace. We should desire nothing but what would be right for God to give, then our expectation would be all from God; and concerning truly good things we should not look to second causes, but to the Lord alone, and so again our expectation would be all from Him.” If only we are asking for godly things, we will never be weary or try other ways to meet our needs.

Expectations from men will be disappointed as they are frail, while that from God will be abundantly more than realized. Hannah expected and got Samuel. Elizabeth and Zachariah expected and got John the Baptist. Jabez waited and his coast was enlarged. Don’t give up on that thing you have been waiting on God for. Hear what Charles Spurgeon said, “Call on God and spread the case before Him. Express your unstaggering confidence in him. Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord. Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it.”

Food for Thought: Psalm 62:1

Prayer: Grant me the patience as I wait expectantly from you, O Lord.