OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY 3RD JANUARY 2021
TOPIC: IF ONLY YOU KNEW
MEMORISE:
Psalm 91:7
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
READ: Psalm 91
91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
MESSAGE
There are lots of battles God fights for us that we know nothing about. Many of such battles take place when we are sleeping, working or even relaxing. It is a big error for anyone to think that he is alive by his own power or not to thank God every day for all that He does.
One day God decided to give me a glimpse of the battles He fights for me that I am not aware of. l was a lecturer at the University of Ilorin at the time. In those days, I used to leave the campus after my morning lectures and drive home for lunch since my house was not too far away from the school. I would also rest a little before returning to the campus to take my afternoon classes. One afternoon, I came home as usual, finished my lunch and lay on the couch to rest for a little while. I did not intend to sleep but I closed my eyes because I was already a Pastor then and my sitting room was always busy with people going in and out of the house. If they saw my eyes closed, they would know I was resting and not disturb me. Suddenly, I felt someone looming over me. The person held my hands and legs then drew closer to kiss me. At first, I thought it was my wife, then it suddenly occurred to me that whoever could hold my hands and legs at the same time had to be really tall and strong, so l opened my eyes and the person disappeared.
After this incident I felt a cold sensation run through my body but I soon forgot about it and went for my afternoon lectures. Immediately after my lectures I started vomiting and stooling. When I drove back home, I had to practically crawl out of the car to get into the house. I was in the toilet when I cried "Daddy, what is this? I am Your son, how can this be happening to me?" He replied "Son, l just wanted you to have a little taste of the unseen battles I fight for you constantly." After that the stooling stopped.
You may not know it but God loves you so much that He is fighting for you day and night. He is not only fighting for you; He is fighting for your loved ones as well because He knows that whatever affects them will affect you. Therefore, give Him thanks daily. Praise His name with all your heart. Stand tall with the confidence that God is on your side and you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).
PRAYER POINT:
Father, thank You for all the battles you are fighting for me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Genesis 7-9
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 19: Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer
1 Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer,
Sing O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him! Hail Him highest arch-angels in glory.
Strength and honour give to His holy name.
Like a shepherd Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.
O ye, saints that dwell on the mountain of Zion.
Praise Him! Praise Him! ever in joyful song.
2. Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer,
For our sins He suffer'd and bled and died;
He, our rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail him! Hail him! Jesus the crucified.
Loving Saviour, meekly enduring sorrow,
Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced His brow;
Once for us rejected, despised and forsaken.
Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.
3. Praise Him, Praise Him Jesus our blessed Redeemer,
Heav'nly portals loud with hosannahs ring;
Jesus Saviour, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him, Crown Him prophet and priest and King!
Death is vanquished! Tell it with joy ye faithful.
Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?
Jesus lives! No longer thy portals are cheerless,
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.