A Great Understanding

Devotion for Thursday November 23, 2017

Topic: A Great Understanding

Text: Proverbs 14:29

The greatest gift to ask from God is discretion or wisdom. With wisdom, one can achieve so many things in life; it can make you rich, save you from danger; it gives you understanding, protects you against the enemies, guide you in path of righteousness, etc. There are principally two things we should note in this text.

1) Meekness is part of wisdom. Someone who is meek rightly understands and controls himself; his duties and interests, the infirmities of human nature, and the society. Someone who is patient is really to be counted as intelligent; one that learns of Christ in everything, who is Himself (Christ) wisdom.

2) Unbridled passion is proclamation of foolishness. He that has hasty of spirit, whose heart is tinder to every spark of provocation, always thinks to magnify himself and make those around stand in awe of him, whereas really he exalts his own folly. He makes his folly known to all through his foolish and hasty acts and words. Such person lacks understanding.

This exhortation of James in James 1:19 should be our yardstick for measuring one who is wise and truly a child of God. How wise are you? How do you control your anger? An understanding fellow shows wisdom and one who lacks wisdom acts foolishly.

Food for Thought: James 1:19 – 20

Memory verse: James 1:19

Prayer: God, grant me the grace to moderate what I see with my eyes and how I react to them.

Antidote to Worry (2)

My Daily Covenant (2017 Edition) Devotion for Friday January 6, 2017                  

Topic: Antidote to Worry (2)

Text: Psalm 23:1 – 6                

Yesterday, we started series of teaching on antidote to worry. It will last till Sunday. If you missed yesterday’s devotion, look for it and read. It will help you so much.

This antidote to worry in our text is proper understanding of our relationship with God and the tenets of His covenant with us. What God means to you will determine the kind of benefit you will receive from Him. Such understanding is a great advantage in reaping from His promises and blessings just as David expressed in this Psalm 23.

In describing God as his Shepherd, David wrote this out of his personal experience because he spent his early years caring for sheep (1 Samuel 16:10–11). Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, care and protection. Sheep doesn’t doubt the competence and ability of the shepherd. It subjects itself to the command and authority of the shepherd. It is not disturbed or perturbed by threat of the enemies around.

In Gen 17:1, God introduced Himself as Almighty God, meaning All-powerful; having supreme unquestionable power over everything. This introduction was necessary because Abraham needed to understand the God that called him. From that moment, his walk with God changed. Beloved, if you must avoid worries, then you should have God as your shepherd. You must know Him as the Almighty God with whom ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

In John 10, Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd. If we have proper understanding of the work of a shepherd, we will not stress ourselves with cares for worldly things because He knows all we need and will provide them at the appropriate time. At the start of the New Year like this, it is proper to have God speak to us just as He spoke to Abraham. That will help us to live our lives less of worries because we will come to understand that He is the Almighty, with whom all things are possible. Trust Him as you go out today to take care of all those cares and worries.

Food for Thought: Worry is an insult on God that He can’t fulfil His promises.

Memory verse: Psalm 23 verse 1 - ​ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (English Standard Version).

Prayer: Lord God, help me to understand that you are the Almighty with whom all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen.