Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: WEDNESDAY 2ND MARCH 2022

THEME: GOD IS SOVEREIGN

MEMORISE

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 

Psalms 115:3 

READ: Daniel 4:34 -37 

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

MESSAGE

​​​​The truth about God’s absolute sovereignty is seen in our Bible reading today. King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34).

Our memory verse confirms this truth about our God who is in heaven and does as He pleases. These scriptures are food for thought for those who would want to live a good life here and in the hereafter. One major lesson here is that God is capable of doing and undoing anything. He can kill and He can make alive. Where then is the bragging of mere mortals who, by a stroke of grace, are placed in privileged positions and begin to behave like the Almighty?

King Nebuchadnezzar leant his lesson the hard way, however, God was gracious to him and he lived to tell the story of the consequence of his pride. King Herod was not as fortunate as Nebuchadnezzar because in his arrogance, an angel of the Lord struck him and he was eaten up by worms before dying (Acts 12:21-23).

One then wonders why those in authority tend to act as if they have the power of life and death. Some even wrongly allow themselves to be addressed as if they are truly sovereign like the Most High God. This is the reason some of them refuse to allow Christ to reign in their domain. They would do everything possible to obstruct the gospel. How ignorant they are! The Psalmist says, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heaven shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision”(Psalm 2:2-4).

I can attest to the absolute sovereignty of God in every area of life and that is why I am determined to serve Him for the rest of my days. It would be best if you did the same.

PRAYER POINT 

Join me to thank the Sovereign Lord for adding another year to my life today. Please pray that I will finish well in the mighty name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DEUTERONOMY 20-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE

HYMN 17: O LORD MY GOD

1. O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, how great thou art, how great thou art!

2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: Then sings my soul…

3. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die – I scarce can take it in that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin: Then sings my soul…

4. When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation and take me home – what joy shall fill my heart! Then shall I bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, ‘my God, how great thou art!’ Then sings my soul.