GODFATHER OR GOD THE FATHER: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 18TH JULY 2018

MEMORISE:

 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:8-9

READ: John 5:1-9

1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

MESSAGE

In the Jewish culture, a godfather is primarily a person who assists a father in performing the rite of circumcision by holding the child upon his knees.

He also takes interest in the child’s welfare and plays the role of a father to the child. In modern times, the concept of a godfather has become synonymous with the leader of a powerful criminal organization, especially the Mafia.

In a more general term, a god father is viewed as one who sponsors a person and who goes to great lengths to promote the interests of that person, often having something to gain for himself from this support. A godfather will do everything in his power to fight for the interest of his protégé, including illegal actions like giving bribe or using political power and personal recognition to influence things in favor of the protégé.

For this reason, people of all ages, up and coming professionals, business people and even pastors go to a great length to source for rich, famous and powerful individuals to play the role of godfathers I their lives. The question the spirit of the Lord is therefore asking you today is, are you seeking for a godfather or God the Father?

Looking to others for encouragement is not bad, but having godfathers will at the very least lead to partial dependence on a human being to achieve success. God views this as paying allegiance to ordinary and a rejection of his ever present help. He frowns at the attitude, and in Jeremiah 17:5, He has very strong words for anyone who depends on human being for success:

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

The Holy Spirit further highlights the futility and agony of anyone who places his or her confidence in man instead of God, saying in Proverb 25:19:

 “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

Dependence on God to meet our spiritual and physical needs arises out of an awareness of human helplessness and trust in God’s ability to do all things. Note that the use of the word “princes” in today’s memory verse stands for godfathers.

God alone is more than able, and He is very much willing to help His people to achieve their purpose and fulfill their destiny. Therefore, looking elsewhere for help is tantamount to rejecting God and paying homage to the arm of flesh which fails. I pray that God will hear your cry for help today and respond seedily in Jesus’ Name.

KEY POINT:

Whatever a man can give to you, a man can take away from you.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 32-33

Matthew 2:19-3:17

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 11: O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.