OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY 13TH JULY 2018
THEME: DOUBT AND INDECISION
THEME: SHARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
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.
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 quickly drives it away;
not a doubt or a fear,
not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to 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 blest if we trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to 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.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to 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.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Memorise
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6
Bible Reading: 2nd Kings 7:1-2, 2nd Kings 7:16-20
1 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
2nd Kings 7:16-20
16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.
17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
18 And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria:
19 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
20 And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.
Message
Doubt and indecision reflect the ability of a person to make a choice between two opinions. Doubt reveals the presence of an internal debate and a lack of conviction. It signifies double-mindedness and partial faith. Double-mindedness and partial faith. Doubt paralyzes the ability of a person to make a sound judgment on critical issues. A person in doubt is therefore often a confused person, divided in opinion and at odds with himself or herself. Here is how the Holy Spirit describes the true condition of a doubter in James 1:8:
“A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
A person living in doubt may believe in the authority of God’s word, but somehow he or she thinks it’s impossible or uncertain that what God says in it would come to pass. The harmful effect is that doubt moves from a divided attitude towards God’s promises to a wholesale questioning of God’s word itself. Doubt is obviously responsible for many seemingly unanswered prayers and unfulfilled promises among believers. Concerning a double-minded person, James 1:7 says:
“For let, not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”
Consequently, anyone who lives in doubt may not receive anything from God. May the Lord destroy every spirit of doubt that has denied you the fulfillment of God’s promises, in Jesus’ Name.
Disobedience to God introduces indecision and doubt into the life of a child of God who hitherto was walking in faith. Sin robs us of our confidence in God’s presence. You will observe that Adam and Eve hid themselves from God after they had sinned (Genesis 3:8-10). Indecision and doubt may appear to be simple problems but they have devastating spiritual implications. In today’s Bible reading, doubt cost an official of the king his life. Similarly, in Matthew 14:31, the Lord Jesus Christ identified doubt as the reason why Peter began to sink after he had walked towards Him on water. He would have drowned if the Lord had not stretched forth His hand to get him. These Biblical examples show us that doubting the word of God is so dangerous that it can lead to death. I pray that God will deliver you from the devastating effects of doubt in Jesus’ Name. In 1st Kings 18:21, Elijah asked the Israelite’s an important question which I am also asking you today: “How long halt ye between two opinions?” If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, then believe in Him with all your heart. Stop wavering, and follow Him wholly. Do away with sin and be determined to pursue holiness for the rest of your life. Share your salvation experience with others and tell them about the good things that God is doing in your life. it is well with you in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please completely destroy every root of doubt in my life in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2nd Chronicles 21-23, Acts 27:13-32
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
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