Topic: Because You Are God’s Dear Child 2 — Sunday September 3, 2017.
Text: Isaiah 54:14-15 & 17(NIV)
In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
Last month we established that it is not only the Jews that are God’s special people; everyone who believes in Jesus is special, Eph. 2:11-14. This means that the way God showed His mercy, kindness and power to the Jews in the Bible is merely symbolic or a foreshadowing of how He will show His greater mercies, kindness and power to us who are now in Christ Jesus. Consider this: while Haman was planning evil against Mordecai, Esther 6:13b notes that “…his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him — you will surely come to ruin!” If this can be said of a single Jew, what do you think will be said of you who believe in Jesus?
In the same way Mordecai’s victory was already predetermined simply because of his Jewish heritage, your victory is similarly predetermined because you believe in Jesus and because you are a dear child of God. So, do not be afraid, dear child of God, regardless of who may be ganging up against you. In the King James Version, the first verse of our text above says: “behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” Our text above is actually addressed to God’s servants. However, can I ask you a question? Given a choice between your beloved child and your servant, who would you protect and defend more aggressively? By virtue of your status as a dear child of God, you are guaranteed victory and safety in every area of your life.
Prayer Focus: Express gratitude to God for your victory and the safety that have been predetermined and guaranteed because you are His child.
Bible In A Year Reading Plan: Psalm 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20
Empowered to do exploits…
CGMI Above Only Daily Devotional, was written by Most Rev. M.E. Benson-Idahosa, Archbishop of Church of God Mission International, CGMI.
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