Topic: Good From Evil [Friday 15, December 2017]
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: John 16:4-7 (KJV)
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Bible in One Year: Revelation 11-13, Zechariah 1:18-2:13, Hymn: Sing Hymn 4 – Through The Love Of God Our Saviour
MESSAGE:
Everybody has a choice to make on the issue of focus in life. Your focus has a way of directing your activities and dictating how well or badly your resources are utilized. It is therefore great wisdom to make Jesus Christ your focus. May the Lord grant you grace to do so in Jesus’ Name. When you walk with God for a while, you will come to realise that He specialises in bringing something good out of something seemingly bad. This is why it is well said that opportunities are wrapped up in unpleasant packages. This truth was demonstrated in the life of Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-15). To Elisha, losing his mentor and master was seemingly a bad thing, but this had to happen for Him to get promoted to the office of the national prophet and become a mentor to others. Similarly, it was seemingly a bad thing when Jesus Christ had to be beaten and His body was torn in shreds. However, this was the price He had to fully pay for us to access healing for all kinds of diseases (1 Peter 2:24). This tells us that not every bad event is truly bad, particularly as it relates to children of the Most High God (Romans 8:28).
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” – John 16:7
After spending just three and a half years with His disciples, the time came for the Lord to leave them. This was an unthinkable scenario for them, and it was most undesirable! The disciples were not ready to let the Master go, not even when they knew that He needed to go to the cross in obedience to God. In fact, Peter was prepared to involve himself in physical combat in his attempt to prevent Jesus from leaving them. However, Jesus needed to depart for the Holy Spirit to come. Some people may have to leave the scene so that you can move from obscurity into limelight. Have you been left out in the cold? Something will happen that will cause a sudden divine remembrance of you this season in Jesus’ Name! King Uzziah had to die for Prophet Isaiah to see more clearly (Isaiah 6:1). The Lord will do something about your matter today! Whether good or bad, things will happen that will favour you in Jesus’ Name. Both good and bad will work in your favour this period! As bad as afflictions appear to be, 2 Corinthians 4:17 says they are actually working great rewards for us. May every seemingly bad event work for your good in Jesus’ Name!
Prayer Point: Father, in seemingly bad situations I have been through or that I am going through now, please open my eyes to see the good inherent in them.
Hymn 4: Through The Love Of God Our Saviour
- Through the love of God our Savior,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor,
All, all is well:
Precious is the blood that healed us;
Perfect is the grace that sealed us;
Strong the hand stretched
forth to shield us;
All must be well. -
Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Christ hath purchased full salvation,
All, all is well:
Happy still in God confiding;
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding;
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding;
All must be well. -
We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well:
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Then in living or in dying,
All must be well.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
