OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025.
TOPIC: TWO SIDES OF A COIN
MEMORISE
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” - (Psalm 119:105)
READ: Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
MESSAGE
Many things in life have two sides or distinct opposites, just like the sides of a coin. For example, there is the sun and the moon, male and female, etc. God Himself has two sides. (1 John 4:8) says that He is Love; however, Hebrews 12:29 also says that He is a Consuming Fire.
God is a wonder; many things about Him attest to this. He is a lamb, and He is a lion. When you talk of a lamb, you immediately think of a tiny little sheep that is so beautiful that you want to hug it, but when you talk of a lion, that is an animal that people do not usually mess around with. The Bible also calls God a sun and a shield (Psalm 84:11). While the sun can be so hot that people run away from it, a shield protects people and makes them safe. We also know God as the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13). While He is starting some things, He is putting an end to some others. He is the One who blesses a family with a newborn baby and stands faithfully by the side of a believer who is taking his or her last breath. The same God who is merciful (Psalm 103:8) is also terrible (Deuteronomy 7:21). Our God is unfathomable.
In your relationship with God, there are also two sides: God's side and your side. As you work out your salvation with fear and trembling, He works in you to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). If you say that because He is working in you, then you can continue to sin, expecting grace to abound, He will forbid that (Romans 6:1-2). Yes, He wants you to be with Him in a mansion in heaven (John 14:2-3), but if you don't play your part to get to that mansion, you will end up in hell. I agree that Jesus Christ brought grace (John 1:17), but that same verse says that He brought truth along with it. If you reject His truth, which sanctifies you and keeps you holy (John 17:17), then you will not enjoy His grace.
Beloved, the side of God you see and experience will depend on your actions and inactions. Walk in His truth and obey His commandments, and you will experience His favour and mercy abundantly in your life.
KEY POINT
God is Love, but He is also a Consuming Fire. Whichever side of Him you experience is up to you.
AUTHOR: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Lamentations 1 - 2
HYMN 1 - ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS' NAME
1. All hail the pow'r of Jesus name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all
2. Crown Him, ye martyrs of our God, who from His altar call; Extol the stem of Jesse's rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
3. Ye chosen seed of Israe's race A remnant weak and small Hail him who saves you by His grace And crown Him Lord of all.
4. Ye Gentile sinners, ne'er forget the wormwood and the gall; Go spread your trophies at His feet, and Crown Him Lord of all.
5. Let every kindred, every tribe on this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all
6. O that with yonder sacred throng we at His feet may fall. Join in the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all.
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