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.