Lord, Save Us

Devotion for Thursday February 1, 2018

Topic: Lord, Save Us

Text: Matthew 8:23 – 27

Sometimes, it may seem as if God neglects us when we are in danger but it is not always so as God is always there with us when we are in danger at the right time to save us especially when we call upon Him. No wonder His words say, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." (Psalm 50:15). Jesus entered a boat and His disciples followed Him. While they were inside the boat, the tempest arose “but He was asleep.” Some of the disciples were used to such tempest as fishermen but unfortunately, they were also frightened that they called on Jesus to come to their rescue and save them. Of course Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the sea and there was a great calm. The disciples were marveled at that act. These passages Psalm 65:7; 89:9 and 107:29 talk about God ruling over the raging sea, and calming the storm. These are Old Testament scriptures and our text is in the New Testament showing that such acts were either prophesied or known to people of the Old Covenant as attributes of God. For the disciples to become that fearful means they have not actually come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah despite the fact that they have been with Him. For men to be fearful when following the directions of Christ, shows that they lack confidence in Him but He rebuked the storm and saved them. Do not make room for fear in your heart as a Christian. Sing SS&S 661; Abu 327

Food for Thought: One advantage of trials is to make us know our weakness, so as to oblige us to have recourse to God by faith in Christ.

Memory verse: Matthew 8:25

Prayer: God may I always recourse to you for salvation in time of trouble for you alone are my Saviour.

God Is Our Stronghold

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday May 8, 2017 

Topic: God Is Our Stronghold

Text: Nahum 1:1 – 8

Our Lord is good and He manifests His goodness in various ways. God remembers mercy in the midst of judgment. Adam Clarke says, “None that trust in Him need be alarmed at these dreadful threatening; they shall be discriminated in the day of wrath, for the Lord knows them that trust in Him.” This is the evidence of His goodness. In our text, Nahum assures his people of safety in Jehovah under the impending attack of Sennacherib by saying that God is a stronghold in the day of trouble. God as a stronghold means that God alone is the one that can save them from the hands of Sennacherib.

In a time like this, we have so many challenges confronting us like Sennacherib confronted the Israelites. Note that God is our stronghold against all challenges of life (Ps 18:2). The challenge facing you may be healing, freedom from prison, securing a good job, getting someone to spend your life with, food to eat, etc. Remember, He never fails those who make Him their stronghold. 

Beloved, let the words in Zech. 9:12 encourage you. As you cling to your stronghold and believe His word, He will guide you rightly and perfect all that concerns you. He will always keep safe all entrusted to Him because He knows His own (2 Tim. 2:19) except you are not His own.   

Food for Thought: When you trust God sincerely you can never be frightened

Memory verse: Nahum 1 verse 7

Prayer: Lord, be my stronghold against the enemies’ attack on me and my family in Jesus name.

God, Our Stronghold In The Days Of Trouble

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday February 10, 2017              

Topic: God, Our Stronghold In The Days Of Trouble 

Text: Nahum 1:2 – 8

Life is full of mysteries, challenges and uncertainties. Sometimes, these things bring fear, anxiety, worries and desperation. Though they bring these things mentioned above to us, they are the things that make life worth living because in most cases they bring out the best in us. However, when such mysteries, challenges and uncertainties come up, some people will start running to anchor somewhere. Where people run to or anchor depends on their knowledge and understanding. To those who know their God, they will anchor on Him in their time of troubles.

Here in our text, Nahum assures his people (The Israelites) of safety in God under the impending attack by Sennacherib saying that God is a stronghold in the day of trouble. This saying of Nahum is true and worthy of full acceptance. God being a stronghold here means that God alone is the one that can save them from the hands of Sennacherib.

Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8); none who puts his or her trust in Him will be disappointed. As there are many challenges confronting us, we should understand that our God is our stronghold against all challenges of life (Ps. 18:2). Zech. 9:12 urge us to return to our stronghold. As you cling to our stronghold and believe His word, He will guide you rightly and perfect all that concerns you.

The challenge facing you may be the need for healing, freedom from prison, securing a good job, getting a good spouse, house rent, school fees, threats of kidnappers, etc. Remember, He never failed those who make Him their stronghold. He will always keep safe, all entrusted to Him because He knows His own (2 Tim 2: 19) except you are not His own. As you go out today, trust God who is our stronghold for your protection, safety and blessings in your endeavours.    

Food for Thought: Times of trouble should challenge us to run into our stronghold for therein we have protection.

Memory verse: Nahum 1 verse 8 - But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Prayer:

1)      Heavenly Father, help me to rely on you whenever I am faced with trouble in Jesus name.

2)      Lord God, as I anchor on you in the days of trouble, answer me in Jesus name. Amen.

CALL ON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 30, 2016

Topic: CALL ON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE   

Text: Psalm 50:7 – 15                      

Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers us from them all so says the Bible. There are days or period we pass through and it will seem as if God has turned His back on us. There will be no answer to prayer. You go to people for help but received nothing. We have heard of cases of suicide because of hardship, problems of life, betrayal, great loss, etc. These are some realities of life people pass through every day. Despite these and many others, they don’t actually call for suicide, rather we should call upon Him at that moment and He will deliver us for a purpose. What is that purpose in our text? When under such condition, we should note that God is still faithful and on the throne.

In situations that seem hopeless in eyes of men, as believers, we should anchor our faith and hope in Christ alone. What the Psalmist is saying here is that obedience is better than sacrifice. When we obey God and call upon Him, He will answer us. He doesn’t base his answering our prayers on sacrifice rather obedience. He says call upon me in time of trouble; be it sickness, attacks, disappointments, failure, fear, lost of loved ones or properties, etc and He will answer. Even as we look forward to a new year with uncertainties, we should look up to God and He will see us through.

Food for Thought: God hears humble, believing, affectionate prayer.

Memory verse: Psalm 50 verse 15

Prayer: God, grant me the courage to always call up you in times of trouble.

NO MORE DISASTER

DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 29, 2016

Topic: NO MORE DISASTER                         

Text: Zephaniah 3:14 – 20               

Zephaniah was prophesying here about the future of Jerusalem and the day of hope in Zephaniah 3:8–end. Any true prophet as God’s oracle is bound to speak the truth and give the message as God gave it without sentiment, bias or prejudice. Unfortunately, such preaching is lacking in so many pulpits today. The reasons may not be far from these. (1) Some preach to save their job (2) Some preach so as not to offend their members who are wealthy (3) Some preach to please their boss and many more.

In the case of Zephaniah, it was different. He presented the message from God as he received it. He did as God commanded him; thundering certain judgments and horrible punishment for all who would defy the Lord (Zephaniah 1:1ff). However, in our text is a message of hope when God will take away punishment and turn back enemies so there will be no more harm on His people. This message was a relief to the Israelites. After God had done these, He will dwell with them. The prophet called on the Israelites to sing in Zephaniah 3 verse 14 for some reasons. You can find the reasons in Zephaniah 3:8–end.

After the promises of taking away sin, follow promises of taking away trouble. It teaches us that when the cause is removed, the effect will cease. Most times, disaster comes upon us when we follow our own will or do things without first seeking the face of God. However, God is promising here that those things we did in ignorance, He will overlook and take away our disaster. Are you suffering because of sin or not taking time to seek the face of God? God says He will take away that punishment and turn back your enemies. He will rescue and be with you as He has promised, so you will not see any disaster again.   

Food for Thought: Isaiah 10:27

Memory verse: Zephaniah 3 verse 15

Prayer: Take away, O Lord, the causes and effect of sin in my life and family in Jesus name.

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:31 – 39       

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:32

A man who knows His God speaks with boldness and confidence. David knows the God He serves and all His promises of protection, favour, fighting for His people, etc. He knows that God is able to use him especially when it involves the “uncircumcised.” A shepherd boy, who came the same morning from keeping sheep to see his senior brothers in the Israeli’s army camp, had more courage to challenge the Philistine giant than all the mighty men of Israel. This was a very sad and unfortunate case.

God does great things for Israel, by the weak and foolish things of the world. Remember the devotion of Thursday July 28 2016 – NOT THE SPECIAL TYPE where we read that God does not use the perceived great, wise and intelligent people of this world. Rather He chooses the weak, unintelligent and poor people of this world as His instruments so as to shame the wisdom of men. God remains a mystery worth knowing.  

By all standard military wise and stature, David cannot be compared to Goliath but he was the only man in Israel at that time that has the spirit and mind of God in him. Confidence in God is a source of the highest and noblest courage, the most self-sacrificing devotion to duty, and the most exalted virtue. David had no single iota of fear about Goliath. He told Saul and his captains, “Let no man's heart fails because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

As a child of God, what kind of message do you give to people when they face challenges of life? Do you speak faith into them or you bring more fear? Because David had the spirit of God in him, he was calm, confident and relaxed amidst the threat of Goliath. Is your heart troubled because of problems of life? Are you trouble because you are in prison; sick, unable to pass that examination, etc? Never mind, Jesus is saying "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me,” John 14:1.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 20:1 – 4

Prayer: Lord God, send your spirit to comfort me in areas I am troubled. Grant me the courage to confront all my fears and troubles of life the way you encouraged David to confront Goliath in Jesus name. Amen.

THE DAY OF MANY TROUBLES: Devotion for Monday March 14, 2016

THE DAY OF MANY TROUBLES: Devotion for Monday March 14, 2016

Text: Job 1:13 – 19    Memory verse: v 19

In 1 Samuel chapter 3 is the story of how the Ark of God was captured by the Philistines when Eli was the Chief Priest. He also died with his two sons the same day. What a trouble for that family! As a family, where will they start mourning – three persons on the same day? That was a great loss to Israel and the family. We have heard how families had perished in inferno, accident, etc without any survivor. Families dying together may seem better in the eyes of men than for a man to have laboured for years, gathered wealth, had a family and just lose everything in a day. Some may even commit suicide. On the day of trouble, Satan unleashed his anger against Job in order to make him turn against God. 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 true. The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed (1:15, 16, 17 & 19). His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news is brought him that they are killed. So many people would have concluded that such calamities can only come on sinners. We should understand that in this world we will have troubles but in all, we should be of good cheer (Jn. 16:33) bearing in mind that God will make a way of escape for us (1 Cor. 10:13).

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

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