PAINS WITHOUT GAIN: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 16TH AUGUST 2018

MEMORISE:
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10

READ: Nehemiah 5:14-19

14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

17 Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.

18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

MESSAGE
God desires that we boldly come before His throne of grace to express ourselves with sincerity of heart and purpose (Heart 4:16, Job 38:1-3). Apostle Peter is one child of God who was sincere. He did not pretend as though he did not know what he wanted from God. After Jesus discussed the price of being His disciple, Peter boldly and sincerely asked Him what would be the gain of those who paid this high price. Here is Jesus’ response in Matthew 19:28-29:

“…….Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

The Holy Spirit also corroborates this truth in today’s memory verse. The essence of these promises of reward is to encourage you not to be weary in well doing.

In today’s Bible reading, there is another classic example of someone who would not settle for pains without gain. Nehemiah knew that the God he served was not unrighteous as to not reward him handsomely for his labor and sacrifice in His vineyard. For this reason, he consistently prayed to God to remember him for good.

He was not like the older brother of the prodigal son, who served his father without asking for his reward as a faithful son (Luke 15:11-31). Let’s take a closer look at Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 5:18-19:

“Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.”

This prayer reveals the sacrifice Nehemiah consciously made to get the project of rebuilding Jerusalem’ walls done. He boldly stated his case to the One who alone could reward him richly. This is a great lesson for children of God who are laboring day and night in God’s vineyard and have nothing to show for it because they do not ask Him for a reward. James 4:2 says “You have not, because you ask not”.

I pray that the Almighty God will reward your labor of love as you begin to ask of Him from today in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, as I labor in Your vineyard, please remember me for good in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 17-20 Matthew 21:12-27

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 6: A NEW THING
 (Tune: There shall be showers of Blessing)
1. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because GOD will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.

Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah  to our king.

2. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.

3. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten

4. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.

5. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations

6. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully

7. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousands.

8. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.