The Day Of Many Troubles

Devotion for Sunday April 8, 2018

Topic: The Day Of Many Troubles       

Text: Job 1:13 – 19 

After God had given Satan permission to tempt Job, he went and planned a serial attack on Job’s properties and family to happen in one day which would definitely bring Job to his knees and make him discredit God.  On that appointed day of trouble for Job, Satan unleashed his anger against him to make him turn against God and curse Him. He lost all his wealth, his children and properties. This was not even enough for Satan as he came back in Job chapter 2 to fight the more. When Job was being attacked, he never knew that it was his uprightness and integrity that attracted those troubles. 

Most times we tend to believe that when we pass through troubles of life, it means that we have fallen out of favour with God. It is not always true. The troubles came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed (Job 1:15, 16, 17 and 19). His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news came to Job in that same day that they had all been killed. So many people will conclude that such calamities can only come on sinners. This world offers nothing better than troubles, heartache and pain. But in all, we should be of good cheer (John 16:33) bearing in mind that God will make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Sing the hymn: When peace like a river attendeth my way - SS&S 901 Abu 191        

Food for Thought: “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” – Job 14:1

Memory verse: Job 1:19

Prayer: Lord, grant me the grace and enable me to endure the troubles of life knowing that better things await me in heaven.

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

TO GAIN HONOUR OVER PHARAOH: Devotion for Thursday August 18, 2016

Text: Exodus 14:1 – 9                

Memory verse: Exodus 14 v 4

It is act of foolishness to use human reasoning to assess God. Such assessment is baseless. It will amount to failure because God is never programmed. He cannot be manipulated. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are higher than ours. He deserves our respect, honour and adoration.

There is this aphorism of my people which says that “He that the god will kill; first, will be made mad.” This was the case of Pharaoh. God hardened his heart so as to gain honour over him. Pharaoh thought that all Israel were entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey for him. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. Of course we all are made for the honour of God, our Maker. If men would not have their hearts hardened, they must not continue knowingly to disobey God. If they thus disobey, all the blame will rest upon them (Rom. 1:24–26) if God decides to gain honour over them.

After relenting and giving them permission to depart with the greatest reason, Pharaoh now changes his mind and determines to prevent the Israelis from going. Without any farther restraining grace and delay, God permitted him to rush on and pursue the Israelis to his final ruin. This was the evidence that his cup of iniquity was now full. God judged him. This shows that there is a limit to which we can enjoy the grace of God. Never think that you have all the days and years to enjoy the grace of God. Are you living in sin and thinking that you can continue to live the way you like? Today may be your last day to commit that sin and God will expose you. Why not repent at this moment and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late. Kindly do it now or God will gain honour over you by force?

Food for Thought: Exodus 9:16 - But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth.

Prayer: Almighty God and my Father in heaven, help me to live a life that will bring honour to you and not you, taking it by force.