THE CHILDREN’S BREAD
Weekly Devotional –
23rd. January 2023
SCRIPTURE:
“The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported within the palace. The king got up in the night and said to his officers, “I will tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving; so, they have left the camp to hide in the countryside, thinking, ‘They will surely come out, and then we will take them alive and get into the city.”
2 Kings11-12, NIV.
Child of God, we all love and pray for good news from far and near, because nobody loves to receive negative news, not even those who make their living on giving bad reports love to be hit, by same themselves!
Have you ever been in a situation where it seems as if there is no end in sight to the problems you are grappling with, where it seemed the enemy had built a siege around you with no way out? Have you ever been in such a negative-season where it felt like the heavens were closed over you, while you constantly over-hear your enemies taunting you from far and near? Then, you child of God Almighty, are not alone as there are many people going through similar circumstances. Nonetheless, the good news is this, “regardless of how long your storm may last, every suffering has a beginning as well as an end, for we serve the God to Whom nothing is impossible. He is the BEGINNING and the END of all things!” Our God, is more than able to use anything that people consider as foolish to give you victory over the enemy of your soul. Hence, the need for you to call on God, to get Him involved in your affairs because often-times, you have to come to that very point where you are tired of putting up with the enemy of your priceless and precious soul, before the LORD GOD can come in to save you.
Think about the response of the king, in the above Bible reference the moment the good news came to him; Initially, he neither believed that it was true, nor did he, even believe that it was a good report, but rather, he was convinced that it was a trap by the enemy, to destroy him and his people. His assumption is quite relatable giving the fact, that they may have gone through the worst kind of tribulations to get to the point, where they became indifferent to any kind of report; Good or bad. They had literally given up hope on God being able to deliver, and bless them any longer, and this is so because like I mention a little earlier, they had been grappling with the negative condition, in which they found themselves for a long time, long enough it seems, that they had gotten so used to it as the normal way of life. This is what happened to Peter, when he, and his men had toiled all night long and without any reward in sight for their night-long toil, they gave up hope and dis-continued fishing. Even when the Good Fisher of the souls of men; Jesus Christ, told him to let down the net, Peter, being a very experienced fisher of fresh fish here on earth, would have tried to explained to HIM, that he was only letting down the net once more, just because of the respect he had for HIM, and to prove to HIM, that he was not lying at all, but was rather, telling Him the fact from his experiences in fishing occupation, which he had acquired, and practiced for many years, how no fish could have been found in that river, and at that time. Nonetheless, the LORD GOD of good news proved Himself to Peter, that He is a God, Who comes to redeem a situation for the good of His own children, even when the case seems to be over (Luke 5: 4-7), like HE also did in the case of Lazarus, who was long dead and even buried.
Still talking about the GOD of good report, I truly love the case of Abraham and Sarah as it relates to bearing a child at a very old age; Blossoming at a very old age, or when the odds are against you. Their story is so beautiful and unique at the same time as it is applicable to our situations in different aspects; Trust God. Hope in God. Be patient with God. Don’t laugh at God, but rather, laugh with HIM! They had practically lost hope that God was going to still bless them with a child at their very old age, that when He finally promised them that He would, it took them a while to learn and understand God’s nature as the miracle working God, to Whom no miracle is impossible, as well as the Man of war, Who is known to use any means He deems necessary to defeat the enemies of those, who truly belong to Him. Therefore, child of God Almighty, if God was able to bless them, then, He is very much able to bless you too, don’t you think so? Don’t you believe? I BELIEVE IN GOD!
I really love the fact that Sarah laughed! In my opinion, at least she was very graceful, and decent about the way she laughed. I do believe, if I were in her situation, and given the fact that such miraculous conception had never happened to anyone before her, in order for her to have easily believed, that there was a possibility of it happening for her, I too would have found it difficult to believe, and would not have handled it as gracefully as she did as I would have laughed out very LOUD, and could have gone to sit there with them to explain to them, how completely wrong they were, and even carried away the food, which I cooked for them, just for coming to my house, sitting before my tent and my husband-lord, to mock me! Right in their presence, I believe, that I might also have read Abraham, the genealogy of his life for not doing anything to defend me from what I would have perceived as mockery of my situation!
DISCLAIMER: This is not to insinuate, that a spouse must always defend their significant other, whenever any little thing is said, or done against them as there are things, which are so insignificant, thus, could, and should be ignored. While on the other hand, there are things that are so below the belt, that one should not ignore, but rightly address, in order to also send a “cease-and desist message” to those who are engaging in such wicked activities against the one you care about, with the intent to make them realize, that it is not acceptable, as well as making your S.O. to know, that you value them, and that you are fully aware, that they have been disrespected. Having said that, such things have to be done in a manner that is neither violent, nor in ways that would endanger your life or those of the people, whom you are trying to address, or correct. After addressing such people if you must, and they still do not stop, then, you must know that you have done your best to strongly establish your opinion about their attitude, therefore, you ignore them as your partner knows where you stand; Not with them in their wickedness.
Back to Abraham and Sarah; Their case was quite different as before them, sat the LORD GOD Himself, that notwithstanding, this very old couple had literally given up hope on God being able to bless them any longer, which was evident, through the way she laughed at the LORD’s promise to her and her husband. From a human perspective, we should all be able to relate with Sarah’s hopelessness as it relates to the possibility of her, still being blessed by God with a child at such a very old age. I do fully understand Sarah’s and Abraham’s doubt because that kind of miracle, like I hinted above was so strange to them as such had never been done before, that when God finally did bring it to pass, she remembered mocking the word of God with her laughter. Consequently, to correct her mistake, she decided to glorify God Almighty, Who ignored her mockery and still blessed her, by giving their son the name that would always remind her, never to laugh at God Almighty, but rather, to laugh and rejoice with Him- ISAAC!
Child of God, as human beings, when we are going through a very horrible and lengthy storm, we may end up getting so acclimated to it, that while going through such trying times, it could take us a while to remember, that God’s nature as the miracle working God still remains the same. Hence, the need to go back to the word of God very often, especially during such tough times to be reminded of Who our God truly is.
SISTER SUSAN, WHY AM I STILL EXPECTED TO HOLD UNTO GOD DESPITE EVERYTHING?Child of God, ask yourself why JOB, the Godly prominent Bible character, who was flesh and blood just like you and I, could still have held unto GOD ALMIGHTY despite everything; Though he was frustrated, and sometimes depressed in the waiting. He nagged while he waited. He was despised, mocked, laughed at, and was even blamed for his condition, by those, who he was in every sense much better than. I do believe, that Job must indeed have had the kind of relationship with God Almighty, that ultimately transcends earthly possessions, and things that the world holds in highest esteem! Holding unto our holy God, in the short or long run ultimately pays off as HE is always able to bless you in such a way, that would even make you, just like the king, think it’s the trap of the enemy. Child of God, our Holy God, would bless you when you believe that it is no longer possible to be blessed, like He did for Abraham and Sarah, as well as for Hannah, to mention but a few of them, whom HE had done such for. He is able to bless you through people, whom you would never in your wildest imagination have considered eligible to be used by Him, for such.
THE CASE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AT JACOB’S WELL
The woman at Jacob’s well is a classic example of how the God of good news is able to take a lowly position just in order to reach anyone, whom He has decided to bless, and in the case of this Samaritan woman, she found it very hard to believe that the Messiah should be asking her for a drink, which made her challenge Him the best way she knew how, just to find out who He truly was, and what it was, that HE really wanted from her. God Almighty is able to bless you in such a way that would make your heart melt with fear of how people, who believe, that you are not qualified for HIS blessing would feel should they hear about it! God is able to give you such breakthroughs, that would make you have the need to verify, that it is indeed yours! The good thing about the good news that comes from God Almighty to those who belong to Him, is that it is perfectly and completely good. HIS reports are by no means entangled with conditions that should make you always look behind your back, in order to see if the law enforcement is coming for you, or if Satan and his evil forces would come for their pay-day!
I have literally heard about men, who live in mansions, but the moment someone rings their doorbells at a certain time, or occasion, they jump out of their windows for safety! Why would such people, who seem to be living in such luxury, be in such great torment despite their riches? Child of God, it is so because many of them, who live their lives like that got such luxury by going into deals with Satan, through different means. Therefore, they very well know, that there is always a day of reckoning for them as their master is very shrewd, and does not have such words like mercy, compassion and forgiveness in his dark dictionary, thus, they are like the troubled sea, which never comes to rest, or find genuine peace, despite all that they have amassed for themselves.
I have come to fully understand, that as a good, holy, faithful, Omni-potent, Omniscient, and Omni-present God, Father, and Husband, He knows how to bless each one of His children, with exactly what they need to have, when they need it, and how He wants them to have it. Therefore child of God, we have to understand, that another person’s good news if given to you, may end up becoming a bad news for you, if the God of good news never meant for you to have it!
Hence, regardless of what you may be going through in the present time, and despite how long you may have been going through it, I equally want you to understand child of God Almighty, that the God of good news is still the same yesterday, today and forever-more! Consequently, if He never changes, and you know without a shadow of a doubt, that you truly belong to Him, then, don’t be afraid as the good news, which He has for you, will not pass you by.
Child of God, I also want you to hold unto this truth: God Almighty, knows how to chase those, whom He wants to bless with His blessings for them, which means, that regardless of how swift, and how fast a runner you may be, you cannot out-run the good news, and blessing of God Almighty for you- He will chase you, literally pursue you with what He has for you, till you have nowhere to hide from HIM, thus, you have to surrender to HIM, and receive the BLESSINGS OF GOD ALMIGHTY, which prevails over every curse of the enemy in Jesus’ most powerful name, amen!!!
As I conclude this week’s devotional, this is the word I have for you today,
“Child of God Almighty, may our holy and most powerful God, pursue, overtake and bless you with His good news, which the enemy will never be able to revoke, oppose, steal, kill or destroy in the most faithful name of our holy LORD and Savior Jesus, THE CHRIST, amen!!”
PRAYER
- Father God Almighty, and thou faithful God of good news, make way for me where there is no way, and bless me with Your good news, in such a way that would seem as if I am dreaming in the merciful name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.
- Holy and most powerful Father, wherever I go, let your blessings, and good news chase me till I surrender to You, receive, and hold on to them in Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
- Most faithful and Holy God, I now receive, and forever hold unto Your blessings which breaks every ungodly yoke and every curse in Jesus’ merciful name, amen.
- Thank You faithful and most powerful Father for blessing me, in the precious name of my Savior Jesus Christ, amen!
Child of God, be happy and stay blessed
Jesus loves you!
Sister Susan!