DAILY DEVOTION

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Saturday, June 7
Psalm 27:7-14

TAKE COURAGE
...be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14, NIV

Sometimes, we are so overwhelmed by situations that we turn to different persons for solution. The psalmist in today's passage encourages us all to turn to God.
David's confidence in the Lord was so strong that he knew that even when forsaken by his parents, he would not be forsaken by God.

How did he know this? He had seen God deliver him from the fang of lions when he was alone in the bush, shepherding. Again, the Lord delivered him from various attacks on his life. So, he was simply counting on God's faithfulness in the past, and that gave him peace in his present situation.

For the psalmist, no matter what he faced, he had the assurance that God's goodness would not fail. You also need to have this kind of confidence. You need to follow the Lord's instruction to you through David. He says, "Wait on the Lord... take courage...because He will surely do you well".

There is no comfort or solution elsewhere but in the Lord. Hold on to Him, He can never fail. Therefore, take courage, His help is on the way.

• Birthday Blessing: "Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land."     Jeremiah 50:34

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 20, 21; John 11:45-57

Take courage, we walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow. – D.L. Moody

DAILY DEVOTION

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Thursday, June 5
Deuteronomy 6:17-25

THE FEAR OF THE LORD
Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees He has given you. Deuteronomy 6:17, NIV

For God's promises to come to fulfilment in our lives, there is a part that we must play. The Word of God enjoins us to, "Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that..."
When we do what is right, we are bound to have joy and we will enter into the fulfilment of God's promises for our lives.
It is not enough for us to fear the Lord, God expects us to also teach our children, neighbours, classmates, etc. to fear Him (vv. 20-24).

The fear of the Lord must be passed on from generation to generation so that a generation which does not know the Lord will not arise from us. The situation we are witnessing in the world today is a proof that we are not doing well in this matter. Can God testify of you the way He testified personally of Job (Job 1:8)?

For our up-coming generation to fear the Lord, we have a duty to show them an example. May God help you concerning this matter.

• Birthday Blessing: "And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."- 2 Chronicles 20:30

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 17; John 11:1-26

In no relation is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. – J. C. Ryle

DAILY DEVOTION

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Wednesday, June 4
Leviticus 26:14-26

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE
...if you reject my decrees...I will bring upon you sudden terror... Leviticus 26:15-16, NIV

As we learnt yesterday, there is always a consequence for disobedience. Sometimes, the excuses we give for not obeying might seem tenable to us, but the truth is: God does not lower His standard for anyone. Just as there are benefits for obedience, punishments await anyone who disobeys.

Today's passage highlights some of these consequences. God categorically states that whoever chooses not to obey will experience sudden terror, terrible diseases, famine and denial of access into His presence. Like David said, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is better to be on the Lord's side than to face Him from the other side.

Search your heart and commit your life to God afresh today. Ask Him for the grace to always obey Him. Nobody can cope with the sudden terror that comes from disobedience to God.

Beloved, it is safer and better to be for God than to be against Him. The Lord will help you.

• Birthday Blessing: "They will be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called sought after, the city no longer deserted"         Isaiah 62:12.

• Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 15, 16; John 10:22-42

It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it. – B. J. Miller

OBEDIENCE

1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

DAILY DEVOTION

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Tuesday, June 3
Leviticus 26:3-13

THE BLESSINGS OF OBEDIENCE
If you...are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain... Leviticus 26:3-4, NIV

Life is governed by laws and principles. And these laws often come with conditions, which when flouted could have grave consequences. God gave the children of Israel several laws to guide their conducts and ensure their wellbeing.

He spelt out the condition attached to the obedience of these laws as well as the consequences of doing otherwise. God has also given us laws to live by as He gave to the Israelites. How are you faring with God's laws as found in the Bible? What about the laws of your country otherwise called 'Civil Laws'?

Do you find it difficult obeying the set rules of your institution/organisation? Do you find yourself perpetually disobeying constituted authorities? God does not take disobedience to His laws lightly and He also attaches "fringe benefits" to the obedience of these laws. Law breakers do not have any portion with God.

Therefore, surrender your life to Jesus today; ask Him for the grace to obey Him; ask Him to change your mindset from one that rebels to that which humbly sees an opportunity to obey God at all times. As you do so, you make God happy and you will surely enjoy the blessings that follow.

• Birthday Blessing: "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." - Isaiah 60:1

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 13, 14; John 10:1-21

By obeying God's commands you will gain more than you can give. – Thomas Brooks

DAILY DEVOTION

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Monday, June 2
Isaiah 26:1-13

MY SPIRIT SEEKS YOU
My soul yearns for you...my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. Isaiah 26:9, NRSV

We humans are made up of body, soul and spirit. As our body and soul long for attention, so also our spirit. God has designed our spirit in a way that it seeks to worship something or pay allegiance to a supernatural being.

This explains why some had to create objects of worship that they bow down to. For us as Christians, the only One who is worthy of our allegiance and worship is our Creator, God. Seeking the Lord gives us a kind of peace that surpasses human understanding.

Our desire to seek the Lord alone guarantees protection because the Lord is the everlasting rock (v. 4) and our elevation (v. 5). His words are our guide (vv. 7-8).

There is no substitute to seeking God. Your fulfilment in life depends solely on how much of Him you have. So, if you will sincerely seek the Lord, you will find Him. Decide to seek Him and obey only His commandments always.

• Birthday Blessing: "Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it." Psalm 37:34

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 9:10-36; 11, 12; John 9:21-41

Since my heart was touched at seventeen, I believe I have never awakened from sleep, in sickness or in health, by day or night, without my first waking thought being how best I might serve my Lord. – Elisabeth Fry

DAILY DEVOTION

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Friday, May 30
2 Kings 24:8-17

CARRIED AWAY INTO CAPTIVITY
... and the king of Babylon took him in the eight year of his reign. 2 Kings 24:12, KJV

Judah had been under serious attacks from different nations including Egypt as a result of the wickedness and abominable things which Manasseh King of Judah did (2 Kings 21:10-16; 2 Kings 23:26). The situation was so terrible for years that God determined to wipe them off; not even the good reign of Josiah could appease Him.

Thus, Jerusalem was eventually besieged by Nebuchadnezzar and his forces. The families of the king, nobles, skilled and strong men were all taken to exile in Babylon. Daniel and his friends were among this set of captives. This is what the sin of a few can cause others.

Wickedness and disobedience provoke God to act in judgement. It is the reason why some persons have ruined their destinies. Come what may, you must learn to follow the path of righteousness and obedience to God so that you can enjoy His blessings.

Do not ever get to the level where you will feel sufficient in yourself and think you do not need God any longer.

• Birthday Blessing: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you ... you are mine" - Isaiah 43:1

Read Bible Through Passage: 2 Kings 5, 6; John 8:12-35

Affliction is the school in which great values are acquired, in which great characters are formed. – Hannah More