GOD IS JEALOUS: Devotion for Thursday November 12, 2015

GOD IS JEALOUS            Thursday November 12, 2015

Text: Nahum 1:1 – 8        Memory verse: v 2

The theme of this poem was the certainty and severity of God’s judgment on the enemies of His people. The prophet begins by describing God's awful attributes of righteousness and omnipotent power; because it is from these that the destruction of Nineveh comes. Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon (1:4) were places known for their lush fertility (Amos 1:2; 4:1; Ezekiel 31:16). Divine wrath is not indiscriminate (1:7) because His mercies appertain to the righteous.

The Lord is inherently good and a stronghold for the righteous who seek refuge in His person. God promised to make an end of Nineveh (1:8, sweeps away). The Greek historian Ctesias recounted that the overthrow of Nineveh took place at a time of great flooding that swept away the city’s gates and the foundations of the king’s palace. This should make us understand that God is jealous whose words are sure to fulfill. Any hope in this?

Food for Thought: Isaiah 59:18

Prayer: Sow your fear in my heart, O Lord, to understand that you’re jealous.

EFFECT OF PRIDE : Devotion for Saturday August 22, 2015

EFFECT OF PRIDE        Saturday August 22, 2015

Text Daniel 5:17 – 23           Memory verse: v 20

The king offered Daniel gifts and great power if he would explain the writing, but Daniel turned him down. Daniel was not motivated by material rewards. His entire life had been characterized by doing right. His act was not disrespect. Doing right should be our first priority, not gaining power or rewards. Are you disposed to doing right or gaining rewards and power? Note that desire for power can be destructive.

Belshazzar knew Babylonian history, and so he knew how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar. Nevertheless Belshazzar’s feast was open defiance to God’s authority as he took the sacred cups from God’s Temple and drank from them. No one who understands that God is the Creator of the universe should be foolish enough to challenge him. Pride led him into it and he paid for it. Do you defile God? Be warned because our God is a Jealous God.

Food for Thought: Pride and humility doesn’t dwell together.

Prayer: Father, heal me of any form of pride and grant me humble spirit.

NEVER TRY TO HELP GOD

NEVER TRY TO HELP GOD  Sunday August 2, 2015

Text: 1 Chronicle 13:9 – 13        Memory verse: v 9

Here the sin Uzza committed is a warning for us never to take heed of presumption, rashness, and irreverence, when handling or dealing with holy things (1 Chronicles 13:9). We should never think that a good intention will justify a bad action. In our communion with God we must carefully watch over our own hearts, lest familiarity breed contempt and we think God is in anyway indebted to us. That was the sin of Uzza. 

Beloved, let the punishment of Uzza be a proof to us that the God with whom we have to do is a Jealous God. Uzza’s death, like that of Nadab and Abihu, proclaims aloud that God will be sanctified in those that come nigh unto
Him. How do you treat the things of God as a Pastor or church member? Never take things for granted or you will know that our God is Jealous.

Action: Write down some ways we take things of God for granted.

Prayer: God, help me never to mishandle holy things in Jesus name.

I AM ZEALOUS FOR YOU

I AM ZEALOUS FOR YOU          Friday June 19, 2015

Text: Zechariah 1:13 – 17               Memory verse: v 14  

Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5, 34:14; Nahum 1:2). God alone has the right to be jealous and to carry out vengeance. When human beings are jealous or take vengeance, it is out of spirit of selfishness. God’s jealousy and vengeance are never mixed with selfishness. Their purpose is to remove sin and restore peace to the world (Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9). That hard time you are facing may be out of God’s jealousy to bring you closer to Himself. 

God has strong affection for Israel; and indignation against their enemies. This strong affection made Him zealous for Israel. At times God withdraws or defers His help and comfort from His people, yet in this declarations He showed that He still loves them most dearly, and when it is expedient for them, His help is ever ready. This is the kind of love that God has for us.

Do you know that Almighty God is zealous for you despite your weaknesses and faults? Indeed his zeal is based on the work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. He will not want that price He paid to be in vain. It is in His zeal he drove away merchants from the temple. We should however note that the zeal can make God to compel us into doing things according to His will.

Food for Thought: Zechariah 8:2

Prayer: Lord, use your zeal for me to draw me closer and closer to you on daily basis in Jesus name.