BE SWIFT IN YOUR BUSINESS: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 4TH SEPTEMBER 2018

MEMORISE:

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11



READ: 1 Samuel 17:48-51

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

MESSAGE:

When you critically study the life of our Lord, you will observe that He was a man who swiftly went about accomplishing His mission (John 9:4). He was in such a hurry to finish His task (Matthew 17:17). Amazingly, the everlasting impact He made took just three and a half years to accomplish. If you want to be like your Master indeed, I encourage you to be diligent, not only in your service to God in the Church, but also in your job or business. 

Our father in heaven is not slothful in carrying out His assignments. Speaking about the Father’s work ethic, Jesus in John 5:17b said:

“……….My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”

The Holy Spirit’s admonition on our expected work standard in today’s memory verse is profound because it captures the three aspects of our being: body, soul and spirit. Our Christian experience must affect these three dimensions of our lives before we can say we are living according to God’s will for us. Physically, we must be industrious in our day to day activities. 

Don’t be deceived into believing that once you are born again, manna will begin to fall from heaven to sustain you. Remember that the rain of manna stopped immediately the children of Israel entered the Promised Land. They had to settle down to cultivate the land for a bumper harvest from God. However, pursuing your physical activity with vigor should not come at the expense of your spiritual life. In this regard, always have the words of Deuteronomy 8:18 at the back of your mind:

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

You need to learn some great lesson from David’s attitude in swiftly doing the needful in other to triumph over Goliath in today’s Bible reading. Beyond the fact that he was fervent in spirit, he was also physically alert in getting his job done. He did not allow the battle to meet him standing still. 1 Samuel 17:48 tells us what he did:

“And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”

He quickly took the battle to the enemy on his own terms. The story gets even more interesting after Goliath fell. Observing that Goliath might have been knocked unconscious or might be feigning death, David ran to where he fell, climbed over him and cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword, putting an end to any hope of his resurgence. I prophesy over you today that your enemies will be totally decapitated and you will have complete peace in Jesus’ Name.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, to the glory of Your Name, please quicken my body, soul and spirit to be swift diligent in all my, assignments in life, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 111-118, Mark 2:1-17

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY.

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.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. 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 blessed if we trust and obey.

4. 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.

5. 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.