Written by Pastor E. A Adeboye, President, Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries
TOPIC FOR TODAY WED:9:2:22: The benefits of afflictions
Posted by allcitynews.ng
MEMORISE: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
READ: Judges 6:1-10 (KJV)
1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
Open Heaven 9 February 2022 MESSAGE:
Afflictions are situations that we typically pray against. Interestingly however, afflictions have their benefits in the life of a person. One of the typical benefits of afflictions is that they draw men back to God, especially when faced with challenges they cannot surmount by themselves.
In our Bible reading today, we see the afflictions of the children of Israel at the hands of the Midianites and Amalekites. These two nations attacked Israel successfully from time to time, causing them to suffer greatly. These afflictions drew the Israelites back to the God of their fathers, who they had neglected for strange gods, as we see in Judges 6:7:
“And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,”
God was then able to speak to them through His prophet whom they would not have listened to but for the affliction. The Lord reminded them that He was still their God, far superior to the gods of the Amorites and the gentiles among whom they were living.
Also Read: Open Heaven 8 February 2022 – Living In Glory V
One lesson to learn from this fall of Israel is that serving other gods will always bring affliction. Also, the environment in which a person lives or operates could lead to a departure from serving God. Many of the sound doctrines we cherished in the past have been trashed due to globalization and our contact with the Amorites, Canaanites and Jebusites of the present age.
This has led to many ungodly practices among believers. This in turn causes grave afflictions. Sicknesses that were not mentioned among the believers before are now commonplace. For example, where would high blood pressure come from when a believer’s life is full of joy and the peace of God? A believer of old did not compete with the so-called rich people of the world and would seek God’s counsel before engaging in any enterprise. Believers ought to be led by the Holy Spirit on what line of business they should pursue. Failure to do this leads to loss of peace and rest of mind.
The COVID-19 pandemic is also a case in point on how afflictions can draw people to God. All thanks to God as the Church is now retracing her steps to the old rugged way of peace and joy. May the Lord help us, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Open Heaven 9 February 2022 PRAYER POINT:
Father, heal our backsliding as a church; have mercy on us and send Your salvation in the mighty name of Jesus.
Open Heaven 9 February 2022 HYMN 3: Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus.
1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Refrain:
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher every day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious, holy Word.
2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,
And His perfect will.
3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,
Till all conflict past,
Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image
Perfected at last.
5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,
Holy faith and true;
In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom
Let me peace pursue.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 27 – Numbers 1.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
Beloved Reader, Remember! John 3:3 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye are born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God.”
If you are ready to give your life to Christ Jesus, please pray the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess all my sin, have mercy on me, forgive me all my sin. Lord Jesus come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
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Beware! This Scripture: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” Matt 24:12, is being fulfilled in our time. Our prayer is: any power or any problem that will kill our love for God, blood of Jesus will destroy and flush them away from us, in Jesus name.
Good Day, we cherish your presence here. Thank you for your comments, observations, feedbacks and time spent on this platform.
Beloved! We are in perilous time when kidnappings, banditry and other vices have become daily occurrences. But the Lord is saying, fear not, be bold & be courageous!
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you shall not be a victim to whatever calamity flying around by day and by night, in the name of Jesus, Amen!
DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY
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