WHEN WE SHOW TRUE REPENTANCE: Devotion for Saturday November 26, 2016

WHEN WE SHOW TRUE REPENTANCE: Devotion for Saturday November 26, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 22:14 – 20               Memory verse: v19

When we read the word of God and it pricks our heart, we should repent and ask God what we should do. This was the case when Peter preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37). If there is any place to weep, it should be in the presence of God for He alone is the one that can help us and not Man. Man may sympathize but can never give you the needed help because he doesn’t have right over his affairs. Have you wept before man and failed to receive what you asked for? Never mind, with Jesus, it is a different case. He knows the necessities of our hearts, when we cry to Him; He saves us (Ps. 34:18). Josiah heard the word of God and it grieved his heart (compare Judges 10:15, 16). Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). How do you react when you hear the word of God? Does it prick your heart (Acts 2:37 & 7:54)?

Unfortunately, we are in a time where the word of God doesn’t touch the heart of many. The preachers are no longer preaching the raw and undiluted word of God. They preach what the congregation wants to hear. This is the reason we see people clapping hands when the word of God is coming forth instead of mourning for their sins. Most of us in this generation have hearts and consciences that have are dead.    

As a leader in the home, office, church, company, etc, how do you react to advice or correction? Does the action of Josiah challenge you? No matter how hardened our hearts may be, it must prick us when we hear the undiluted word of God (Heb 4:12). As you go to God with broken and contrite heart, He will hear and avert that evil He intended (Ps. 51:7). Josiah’s repentance saved him from dying in the war. Though he was wounded in war according to the warnings of the book but he didn’t die there. It would have been worse if not that he repented. 

Food for Thought: Mourning and weeping makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.

Prayer: Lord, grant me true repentance as I hear your voice so I will not die in this battle for eternal life in Jesus name.

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY AFTER WEEPING: Devotion for Sunday September 18, 2016

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY AFTER WEEPING: Devotion for Sunday September 18, 2016

Text: Psalm 30:1 – 5           Memory verse: v 5

When a doctor gives you a shot (injection) in the hospital during treatment, it is always painful but thereafter, those shots will be a great source of relief. Likewise a woman who is in labour, she will almost cry out her eyes and writhe in pain as if that is the end of life for her (John 16:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Revelation 12:2). But when that child comes out, she will become happy on seeing her baby. These are some of the ways to explain Psalm 30:5.

God is always gracious to us. His providence is seen in our daily lives. For this reason, these graces and providences we enjoy on daily basis should endear us to Him to always show our gratitude (Psalm 30:1–4) for all we receive. David alludes in this Psalm 30:5 that dispensations of God's chastisement ordered against his children are but short judgments. They don’t last forever or for a long time as God removed them when we show real repentance and ask for pardon.

We saw in that past few days how Job was afflicted. His case was not chastisement but a trial and test of faithfulness towards God. With the ways those serial attacks came upon him, no one expected him to last longer than he did. We know what became of him at the end. This is a great lesson for us. David used this Psalm as he dedicates his house to testify and encourage us to realise that there is no problem that lasts forever, and that when we call upon God, He will answer us.

Beloved brothers and sisters, I don’t know what you maybe going through at this moment. Maybe you are passing through problems like sickness, no job, problem in your marriage, chastisement, loss as a result of current economic crises, problem in your office, imprisonment, etc; I want you to know that there is no problem without an end or a solution. There is always a change when we allow God to come in and when He does, it ends with joy. As you invite him to come into your problem, that problem plaguing you for some time now will lead to joy in Jesus name. Keep believing in Him for your breakthrough, healing, favour, promotion, etc.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 54:7 and 8

Prayer: Use 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18 to pray