A Compassionate God

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Thursday July 20, 2017

Topic: A Compassionate God

Text: Luke 7:11 – 17

The city of Nain was about twenty five miles from Capernaum and Jesus travelled that long distance to bring comfort to sorrowing widow. Distance is not a barrier to Jesus in terms of solving problems. Jesus and the crowd following Him met the widow and her crowd as she was going to bury her only child. The Author of life (Acts 3:15) will meet with your dead situation in Jesus name.

Jesus’ compassion for the widow shows His soft spot and care for widows, the needy, the down trodden and people who are hurt. God is the father of the fatherless and the defender of widows who trust in Him. They are under His special care and protection (Exodus 22:22 – 23; Deuteronomy 10:18 and Psalm 149:9). When Jesus saw the widow following her dead son to the grave site, He had compassion on her and restored the dead son back to life.

Christ has concern for the mourners and the miserable that put their trust in Him and often provides them with the blessings of His goodness. Love made Him to undertake the work of our redemption (Isa 63:9). What a pleasing idea it gives us of the compassion of the Lord Jesus and His tender mercies. That is His nature. Adam and Eve sinned and went for leaves of fig tree but in His nature, He made clothes with Goat skin for them. They didn’t request for it. He knew what they needed and the ones that were best for them. So He knows what the best things for you. By virtue of His compassion He will remember and provide for you. Just be patient with God.

Food for Thought: God’s bosom is filled with pity and He pours it into a wounded spirit to console it, causing it to sing for joy.

Memory verse: Luke 7:13

Prayer: Lord, meet me at the point of my need with your comfort and mercies.   

You Will Not Be Ashamed

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday June 2, 2017

Topic: You Will Not Be Ashamed

Text: Psalm 37:18 – 20

Famine and war are two things that we should not experience. It is my prayer they will not come to us in Jesus name. We saw few days ago dangers and consequences of famine. It leads to stealing, killing, covetousness and all manner of crimes. Famine can come as a result of sin, war, natural disaster or God’s intent to manifest His glory. From whichever way famine might come, God has a way of taking care of His people and taking away shame as our text suggests.

The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8 – 16) is a true case. Elijah was not disappointed. We should know that when we are faithful in what God commits into our hands, He will always take care of whatever consequences that may arise. Sometimes calamities will come, but deliverance will come also. The righteous are never immune from trouble. When it happens and they call upon God, He will prove his faithfulness and love.

Beloved, if God's providence is our inheritance, we need not worry about famine or escalating prices of food items as it was when I was writing. The barrel of meal and cruse of oil lasted out the days of famine for widow of Zarephath and if ravens do not bring your bread and meat, your supply shall come in some other ways. Have this assurance as He has promised to help us (Isa. 41:10, 13 & 14). Read Psalmist’s assurance in Ps. 37:25 and stand by it also.

Food for Thought: Providence knows what we need better than we do.

Memory verse: Psalm 37 verse 19

Prayer: God, provide all I need through your providence in time of trouble or famine.

Wavering In Faith?

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday March 21, 2017

Topic: Wavering In Faith?

Text: 1 Kings 17:17 – 24

Affliction, pain, problem and sickness, want, etc, can make us behave funny and abnormal. John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) but when he was imprisoned, he sent message to ask if Jesus was indeed the Messiah. One would wonder why sudden doubt? This is one effect of a backslidden life or one who had not actually repented. Another reason for such doubt maybe the result of knowing God just because of miracle you have received and not because you have a relationship with Him.

This latter reason may be the cause of this woman of Zarephath’s action against Elijah in our scriptural reading for the day. She received a miracle when she had not developed a relationship with God. However, one would have expected that with such a miracle received, she would have known God the more. This woman’s action is one way sinners react. They see the presence of true Christians as the cause of their problem instead of repenting and using such opportunity to develop a relationship with God.

On daily basis we receive one form of miracle or another from God. These miracles especially waking up everyday should challenge us to develop a relationship with God. Again, we shouldn’t start wavering in faith because of one problem when we have previously been blessed with a miracle. The miracle should challenge us to draw closer to God in our time of troubles, problems, affliction, sickness and pain. These problems of life shouldn’t despair us.

Food for Thought: Cynicism and fear freezes life; faith thaws it out. Release your life and set it free with faith.

Memory verse: 1 King 17 verse 18

Prayer: Lord God, increase faith in me so as to set me free from wavering in Jesus name.

The Widow Of Zarephath

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday March 20, 2017

Topic: The Widow Of Zarephath

Text: 1 Kings 17:8 – 16

In mid-2016, I read in one of the Nigerian National dailies how a woman used her child as a surety to get food for her family in Osun State Nigeria because of hunger. In August 2016, I also read how a pregnant woman stole N300:00 (less than a dollar) to eat. She didn’t deny when arrested. These and many more are effects of hunger on Nigerians as at the time of writing especially the one caused by famine.

That makes it worse as was this case in Israel in time of this woman of Zarephath. Her faith in this time of crises was exemplary and worthy of emulation. This woman and Jezebel, wife of Ahab are from the same territory. She was not a Jewess. Zarephath is a Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean between Tyre and Sidon, usually subject to Tyre. How come she had faith in God of Israel to believe Elijah? Is there any lesson for us about those who are not of the same faith with you?

How could this woman easily believe the words of Elijah as she was not an Israelite? Probably, she had heard so much about Elijah and the God of Israel. Or she had become a secret worshipper of God of Israel. Beloved, you might have heard so much about God or you might have read so much about Him in the scriptures. Do you believe His words or you still have doubts in His ability to heal, deliver and save you?  

This woman gave up what she termed her last meal before death to a total stranger. She acted like the widow who gave a mite. That was an uncommon faith. Her faith is a challenge for us. How many of us are willing to give out from our best or last food, clothes, car, etc? Most of us give out the over used clothes, remnant of our food, etc. We should learn to give the best. This woman was rewarded for such a faith. You will receive far more if you learn to give your best.

Action: As you go out today, ensure that you give your best in words and deed to those who need them.

Memory verse: 1 King 17 verse 15

Prayer: God, grant me the kind of faith in that woman of Zarephath in Jesus name. Amen.

It Happened As God Said It

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday March 6, 2017

Topic: It Happened As God Said It

Text: 1 King 17:8 – 16

God’s word that has been spoken doesn’t go back to Him without fulfilling the purpose for which it was sent (Isa. 55:11). God confirmed what He said through Elijah the prophet in 1 Kings 17:14. This widow of Zarephath thought she was preparing her last meal when Elijah met her but her simple act of faith produced an unprecedented miracle. She trusted Elijah and gave out all she would have eaten.

Faith is a step between promise and assurance. When we have feeble faith, miracles seem so out of reach. Every miracle, large or small, begins with an act of obedience. Solution to our problems may not come until we take the first step of faith. God expects this from us. When we take God’s word to heart by faith it opens the gate to miracle.

Most people don’t believe the word of God because the name used there is not theirs but Abraham, Moses, Hannah, Elizabeth, Samuel, etc. To get the real blessing from the bible, we have to fix our names where there is a name. Where it speaks good things, you will learn and where it speaks evil you will receive warning. Whatever God has spoken about you, just believe and act in obedience. Is it about your salvation, marriage, studies, job, imprisonment, children, fruit of the womb, etc? It will surely come to pass.

Food for Thought: Isaiah 45:23

Memory verse: 1 Kings 17 verse 16

Prayer: Lord God, as you speak to me through your word, grant me the grace to act on them so it will be fulfilled in Jesus name.

There Was No Ulterior Motive

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL 

Devotion for Thursday January 19, 2017

Topic: There Was No Ulterior Motive

Text: Ruth 2:4 – 9  

Men and women can be used as reapers in the Near East. The binding of the sheaves was normally done by women, the handling of the sheaves by men. The rough male labourers in Israel could be as crude and insulting to young women. However, Boaz spared Ruth from insult and exhaustion by letting her glean right behind his women field workers.

He also provided water for Ruth by urging her to go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. These kind gestures by Boaz had no ulterior motives attached to them. He had heard about so much love, friendship and care Ruth had shown Naomi. These challenged Boaz because such love can hardly be seen between mother in laws and daughters in laws.

This type of kindness that Boaz showed Ruth is no longer or hardly in practice in our communities again. Most men help widows only on the condition that they play games with them. Some of the men would even go as far as withdrawing some of the rights of these women as a means of pressurizing them to yield to their demands. Unfortunately, some of these men are even in the church today as leaders and elders.

Do you attach ulterior motives in the help or charity you offer widows, pastors and the poor in the society? Do you give out your goods because of what you intend to gain? We shouldn’t attach motives to our good deeds. God recompenses and He will recompense us. Let our good deeds speak well of us and not bad of us. God bless you and have a great day.      

Food for Thought: What are the motives behind your alms and charity – to take advantage of people or on humanitarian grounds?

Memory verse: Ruth 2 verse 8 - Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.”

Prayer: Help me never to attach any ulterior motive to the alms and charity I give to people in Jesus name. Amen.

Return To Your People

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday January 15, 2017

Topic: Return To Your People

Text: Ruth 1:6 – 10  

There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world even in our present day society. They are still not recognised. They are to be seen and not heard. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored as in the days of Naomi. They were almost always poverty stricken. Some were denied of assess to their late husband’s wealth.

It was for the above reason, God’s law, therefore, provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow; but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. However, she decided to go back to Israel.

As she set to go, the daughters’ inlaw, Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. Though she had right over Orpah and Ruth as daughters in law, she didn’t want to stick to that right. That is a challenge for us in the action of Naomi. Most times, we stick to our right as Christians and that doesn’t work well in most cases. She encouraged them to return to their people to start live anew. This is a selfless attitude that is required to live well as a Christian. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. She would have stood on her right at least to have someone live with her. As she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives anew, even though that would mean hardship for her.

Like Naomi, we (Christians) must consider the needs of others and not just our own. As Naomi discovered, when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example. This led to the reaction of Ruth as we shall see tomorrow in our devotion. We should note that service to others is the justification for our existence and self-sacrifice is our highest moral duty, virtue and value which we should show to people we meet on daily basis.

Food for Thought: Selfless acts are always good examples for people especially the goodly, to follow.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 8 - And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to consider the needs of others as I take decisions concerning my welfare in Jesus name. Amen.

PRAY ALWAYS: Devotion for Wednesday December 23, 2015

PRAY ALWAYS         Wednesday December 23, 2015

Text: Luke 18:1 – 8     Memory verse: v 1

In this parable of the persistent widow, the judge had the responsibility of settling disputes and avenging wrongs, but he cared little for those who made appeals before him (Luke 18:2). Here, Jesus taught earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more against her; but our earnest prayer is pleasing to our God.

The term ‘speedily’ (18:8) does not necessarily mean ‘immediately,’ but ‘in due time,’ according to God’s economy and timing. Notice the question in 18:8. The Son of Man will come looking for faith and wonders whether or not He will find any. He will judge the faithless (17:37) and reward the faithful. Beloved, prayers don’t die easily and there is no overdose in prayer. They outlive people who utter them. Speak your own to the world and the heavens. It will germinate, grow and bear fruit at the right time.

Food for Thought: Pray and pray until something happens (PUSH)

Prayer: Lord, teach me to pray always and how to do it well in Jesus name.