Accordion Content

UNFLINCHING FOCUS

 2 Samuel 11:6-11

 And Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.”  2 Samuel 11:11

We are familiar with the story of King David’s affair with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, and the cover-up attempt by King David to pass the pregnancy off as Uriah’s. Uriah was summoned by David to the palace and urged by the king to spend the night with his wife at his home. David did this twice, but Uriah refused because his heart was with his fellow soldiers who were facing the enemy on the battlefront.

His focus on the task was so great that even when he was drunk, he would not go against his resolve to keep his honour as a soldier. Soldiers were to abstain from certain pleasures and indulgences during active battle. Uriah was a man whose heart was pure. His commitment to the battle at hand was exemplary. Not even the summons of the king could change his focus and commitment to his fellow soldiers. Many people may not be able to resist the pressure of personal (in this case, legitimate) gratification, but Uriah passed this test. Today, society is full of offers of instant gratification. We must remain resolute in the face of these offers to please God, who has chosen us to be soldiers. Moreso, knowing that our Master will come like a thief in the night. The coming of Jesus should not take us unawares. The offers and pleasures of this world should never distract us from focusing on our Lord and His business.

 Prayer

Lord, may I be resolutely focused on You and the affairs of Your kingdom in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 182 2 Kings 3,- 2 Kings 4:1-31; Acts 21:1-26; Psalm 78:56- 72

GOD’S WORD CONCERNING YOU

   2 Samuel 7:24-29

 Now, O Lord God, the word which you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as you have said  2 Samuel 7:25

God honours His word. Psalms 138:2 says that God has magnified his word just as His name. God places a premium value on His word. God’s word is infallible, and the integrity of His word cannot be questioned. Hebrew 1:3 says God upholds “All things by the word of His power,” implying that the Universe which was brought into existence by the word of God is also being sustained by the integrity of God’s word. God has a system in place that ensures the infallibility of His word, hence, Matthew 24:35 affirms that God’s word is so dependable that heaven and earth will pass away but His word shall not pass away.

One way to demonstrate honour for God’s word is by believing His word and looking forward to its fulfilment in your life. This was what David did after he received the gracious message from God through Prophet Nathan. In honour of the word, David went before the Lord in prayers, appealing to God that these promises be fulfilled. Go to God in prayer today and remind Him of His word over your life. Also, believe that His word will be fulfilled in your life. Do you believe God’s word?

Prayer

Lord, through Jesus Christ, I receive an “Amen” to every word of Yours spoken concerning me.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 176  1Kings 14:21-31, -1Kings 16:1-7; Acts 16:16-40; Proverbs 15:21-30

THE FUTILITY OF UNRIGHTEOUS RELIGION

 Isaiah 1:3-15

 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil. Isaiah 1:16.

Human history is laced with instances of people formulating ways and means of reaching or appeasing God. They set up rules that are believed to please God, thereby finding a level of comfort for their restless souls. The people in Isaiah’s time had a religion. To their credit, they practised the religious codes of their time and kept the rituals. They didn’t fail in offering the required sacrifices demanded by the Law. Nobody could accuse them of  “forsaking the assembly of brethren.” They marked their calendars and ensured that sacred meetings, solemn assemblies, revival camp meetings, and fire conferences were never missed. But the Lord called them out for trying to confuse religion with righteousness. He reproved them for attempting to mask their sins with sacred meetings. He told them He was tired of their meetings and had no interest in their sacrifices.

The Lord is still calling out people who hide in the community of saints yet live in sin. He is disgusted with people who try to cover up sin with sacrifices and religious performances. God has made a way through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, for humanity to “cease to do evil.” Without Jesus, the religious rat-race of trying to impress God will continue till the soul is damned in hell. Cry out to Jesus today for His power that delivers from sin and vain religion. In Him is righteousness that transcends religion.

PRAYER

Lord, I receive Your power to live for You and practise religion in righteousness. Deliver me from the trappings of sacrifice without obedience. Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 184 2Kings 6:24-33, 2Kings 8:1-15; Acts 22:22-30-23:1-11; Proverbs16:8-17

HE DIVINE REASONING

  Isaiah 1:10-18

 Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18.

There is a realm of relationship that transcends the performance of religious rituals. Here, the reality of fellowship with God is experienced. This is where the greatest problem of humanity is solved by the intervention of divinity. The Lord, in His mercy, called for a meeting with humanity to address the sin problem. It wasn’t a gathering to condemn them because of their sin but to show them a path of victory over sin. This is the Divine reasoning! Divine reasoning asserts that there is a cleansing from sin, that this cleansing is totally apart from any human effort or merit, and that it is only through the redemption which the Lord Jesus accomplished by the shedding of His blood on the cross. This must be accepted by faith to be effective in the life of any human.

The blood of Jesus washes away sin and removes any mark or trace of its prior existence. This is the only route of salvation. It is noteworthy that the prophet whose name means “the salvation of Jehovah” should give us this gospel invitation phrase and a picture of the shed blood. This blood can erase the apparent permanent markings of sin in the life of a person. It can soak up the redness of a defiled life, introduce its redemptive properties, and cause the life to shine in righteousness. Today, will you yield to this divine intervention of the blood of Jesus? Sin stands to chance when this blood is introduced!   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin. May sinners be freed today from the sin’s entanglement as the gospel of Your redemption is shared. Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 185 2Kings 8:16-29,-2Kings9; Acts23:12-35; Psalm80:1-7

THE BLESSING OF OBEDIENCE

 Isaiah 1:19-31

 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;  Isaiah 1:19

 God’s desire for His children is not hardship, confusion, or defeat, but a life filled with His goodness and favour. In Isaiah 1:19, the Lord reveals a simple but powerful principle: willingness and obedience attract divine blessings. Many people want God’s promises, yet they struggle to follow His instructions completely. True obedience begins with a willing heart. God is not only interested in outward actions; He also cares about our attitude toward Him. How do you respond to God’s word? What is your attitude to His service? What is the disposition of your heart while waiting for the fulfilment of His promises?

When we willingly obey God’s word, we position ourselves for increase, peace, direction, and supernatural provision. Obedience may sometimes require sacrifice, patience, or stepping out in faith, but it always leads to a better end. Abraham obeyed and became blessed. Peter obeyed Jesus’ instruction and experienced a miraculous catch of fish. Every act of obedience is a seed that will produce a harvest in due season. Disobedience can stop you from entering your God-ordained harvest. Unwillingness can delay your blessing. God never fails those who walk in His ways.  Today, choose to trust God even when His instructions seem difficult.

Prayer:
Father, give me a willing heart to obey You completely. May my obedience bring glory to Your name and position me for Your blessings, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 186 2Kings 10,-2Kings 11; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm80:8-19

WALK IN GOD’S LIGHT

  Isaiah 2:1-10

 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

From our scripture reading, the prophet shares a beautiful vision of a future where people from many nations come to seek God. They desire to learn His ways and walk in His paths. When people truly follow God, there is peace, so much peace that weapons are turned into farming tools and nations no longer fight each other. This reminds us that God’s ways always lead to peace, righteousness, and unity. As believers, we are invited to be part of this vision by choosing to live according to God’s Word every day.

However, in later verses, the opposite picture is seen: people who have turned away from God and filled their lives with pride, idols, and worldly things. Because they depend on these things instead of God, they lose their sense of direction and security. As believers, when we place our trust in anything other than God, we move away from His light. God calls us to humble ourselves, turn away from idols in our lives, and walk in His light so that our lives will reflect His peace and truth. Have you gone far from God and trust in yourself? The Lord is calling you into a deeper fellowship today; heed the call.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, please help me to walk in Your path today and always. Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 187 2Kings 12,-2Kings 14:1-22; Acts25:1-22; Psalm 81:1-7

THE DANGER OF PRIDE

  Isaiah 2:10-22

 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6.

From our text today, the prophet Isaiah warns about a time when people who are proud and arrogant will face God’s judgment. Even God resists the proud but gives grace to the simple and humble. Many people trusted in their wealth, power, achievements, and the things they built. They believed these things made them important and secure. But the passage reminds us that no human greatness can stand before the greatness of God. When God reveals His power, human pride will be brought low. This teaches us that we should not depend on our possessions, success, or status. Instead, we should remain humble and remember that God alone is truly great.

In verses 18–22 of our text, the people who once trusted in their idols and riches realise that those things cannot save them. They also realise that their idols are useless in the face of God’s power. We are encouraged to stop trusting in human strength because people are limited and temporary. God wants our full trust and devotion. When we rely on Him instead of worldly things, we live wisely and safely under His authority. Do you trust absolutely in God? Or you allow pride to rule and ruin your relationship with Him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to trust in You with all my heart and not in man or any other thing. Amen.

ONE YEAR BIBLE READING

DAY 188 2Kings14:23-29,-2Kings15; Acts25:23-27,-Acts26:1-23; Proverbs 16:18-27