Open Heavens Devotional for Thursday 17th July, 2014: CONFRONT, DON'T RUN

TOPIC: CONFRONT, DON'T RUN!

Memorise: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1
 
Read: Psalm 27:1-3
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Message
If you easily give in to fear, Satan will intimidate you out of your open doors. One attribute of children of destiny is that they are never intimidated by the enemy, situations or circumstances that confront them. When Moses and the children of Israel got to the Red Sea, it appeared their journey to the Promised Land had come to a dead end! How could they cross a sea of that magnitude without ships, canoes or bridges? Yet, in God's wisdom, in order to drown Pharaoh and his army, He needed a sea that big and deep to do the job. A little river could not swallow such an army, hence, His choice of the Red Sea. This tells us that the size of the enemies facing us would determine the size of the sea that will swallow them. The bigger the sea, the more complete your victory will be. Also, from this we learn that the Red Sea that comes our way is not necessarily to hinder us, but to destroy our oppressors. That hindrance on your way is not meant to hinder you; rather it's designed to stop your enemies. That obstacle will not stop you but will surely stop your enemies.

Moreover, it is interesting to note that while the trained soldiers heard Goliath boasting and ran away, David heard the same threat and began to ask of the reward that would be given to the fellow who would kill Goliath (1 Samuel 17:24-26). Children of destiny take advantage of situations other people run from. Do you know that legitimate businesses that other people often run from hold great opportunities? So also are jobs, spouses and kingdom assignments. That brother who no sister wants to marry may actually have so much to offer, which only the bravest sister would subsequently unravel. The lesson here is never to jump on the bandwagon in whatever you do, but to follow God's leading. Do you know that the poorest person today may become the richest person tomorrow? You do not know but God does; so always consult Him in all situations. In addition, we see here that there is always a reward for bringing down your mountains. Do you know that the bigger the Goliath, the greater the reward? God will reward you for living above the flesh and overcoming temptations. Each time you arise to defend God's cause by standing up against scoffers and those in opposition to the gospel, there is a reward for you.

Key Point: When God allows a big obstacle on your path, it is to hinder your enemies, not you.

Bible in one year: Deuteronomy 16: 18-19:14; Job 5:17-6:7

Source: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, VOLUME 14, 2014 by Pastor E.A Adeboye of RCCG