29/04/2021
*OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021*
*AUTHOR: PASTOR ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE*
*TOPIC: THE CURE FOR DEFEAT*
*MEMORISE:*
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 51:1
*READ: Deuteronomy 28:1-7*
1. And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth;
2. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face; they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
*MESSAGE:*
When a person transgresses the law of God, he or she becomes profane. Unless there is a quick return to the word of God, such a fellow may likely suffer permanent defeat like Samson, who died along with his enemies. You will not die with your enemies in the mighty name of Jesus.
"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways" Psalm 119:1-3
It is possible that you have suffered defeat, perhaps due to carelessness. I have good news for you. The Scripture reading for today contains what you need to do to get back on your feet and how you need to do it.
You must pay close attention to the voice of your Lord God, Many Christians today are not ready to listen to God. The reason is not far-fetched; (1 Corinthians 1:18) says
the word of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. It is sad that some preachers encourage their flock not to pay attention to the Epistles anymore; they say the contents are not meant for Christians of today. Beloved, we are not only to pay close attention to the word, we must also be diligent enough to observe and do all His commandments.
What are His commandments?
You are to come out of every unequal yoke with unbelievers (2Corinthians 6:14,17,18), repent of your sins and forsake them genuinely. Revelation 2:5. These are two of the thing you must do to cure yourself from any defeat you may have suffered. David knew this secret and he employed it to his advantage as we see in our memory verse for today.
I pray that, in whatsoever areas of your life you may have suffered defeat, the Lord Himself will restore you and grant you permanent victory in the mighty name of Jesus.
*ACTION POINT:*
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you assess your life and see where you need revival. Then call upon the Lord to revive you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Joshua 11-13
HYMN:
PASS ME NOT, O GENTLE SAVIOUR
1. Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
REFRAIN:
Saviour, Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
2. Let me, at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.
3. Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
4. Thou, the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heaven but Thee?
