OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY APRIL 17TH 2025
TOPIC: DON'T HELP GOD
MEMORISE:
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." - (Proverbs 3:5)
READ: 1 SAMUEL 13:1-14 (KJV)
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
MESSAGE:
In Luke 1:26-38, an angel visited Mary and told her she was going to be pregnant and that she would give birth to a special son who was going to be great. Mary said, "That's wonderful, but are you forgetting that I am not married yet? I have never known a man; how will a virgin conceive?" The angel said, "The Holy Ghost will handle that because, with God, nothing shall be impossible." Imagine what could have happened if she tried to help the Lord by sleeping with a man, just like Sarah did when she encouraged Abraham to sleep with Hagar so He could have a child (Genesis 16:1-3).
Years ago, my wife and I were praying for a certain woman who was waiting for the fruit of the womb. After a while, she lost hope and consulted a witch doctor who made some charms for her, and she got pregnant. That was over twenty years ago; up until now, she has not delivered the baby. When you try to help God, you will play into the devil's hands.
King Saul was another person who tried to help God. Shortly after he became king, the Philistines gathered together to fight Israel. It was a difficult situation, and the people began to mount pressure on Saul to act. Instead of waiting for Samuel to present the burnt offering, Saul decided to help God, so he overstepped his bounds into the priestly office and offered the sacrifice. When Samuel asked him why he tried to help God, he came up with excuses that he thought were valid. Those who try to help God always have excuses and reasons to do so, but this doesn't stop them from bearing the consequences of their disobedience. Saul lost the throne because of this foolish act.
Beloved, do not try to help God; just do your part according to His word and leave the rest to Him. If you try to help Him, you will open yourself up to the devil's manipulations and make grave mistakes. I have noticed from my walk with God that whenever He asks that you wait for Him, it is because there is something glorious on the way. Don't get deceived by the flashy things the enemy tries to dangle in front of you to distract you or push you to 'help God'. By trying to help Him, you might end up destroying the very things that you want Him to help you build.
KEY POINT:
Don't try to help God. When you do, you might destroy the things that you want Him to help you build.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 KINGS 21-22
AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE
HYMN: 30 - WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we'll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
