Tuesday, 9th January 2024
Bible Reading: Genesis 26:1-5
Memory Verse: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father. Genesis 26:3 (KJV)
I celebrate the writer of the devotional Daily Manna. Decisions, we are told, determine destiny. People are faced with the need to make various decisions on daily basis. For instance, young people seeking admission into higher institutions are often faced with difficulty in making the right choices. However, the best guidance comes from God who knows the end from the beginning. Man is limited in scope and knowledge and cannot discern what the future holds.
Our text talks of Isaac at a time there was famine in Canaan and he had to go to King Abimelech in Gerar, obviously on his way to Egypt. Nevertheless, God appeared to him and told him not to proceed but sojourn in Gerar, promising to bless him, perform the promise He made to Abraham his father to give him the land of Canaan and multiply his seed.
Hearing from God and doing what He says is the best way to live a peaceful, successful and fulfilled life. Christ said, “blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (Luke 11:28). Paul the apostle testified before Agrippa that he was not disobedient “to the heavenly vision”. He followed that vision from God with all the hazards it entailed and was able to “finish [his] course”, which guaranteed him “a crown of righteousness” from the Lord.
It is interesting that Isaac listened to God and obeyed His word. God blessed him “and [he] grew until he became very great” to the envy of the Philistines. As you study and meditate on His word today, if you also promptly obey all He commands, you will be blessed as Isaac was. There is great joy in the believer who hearkens “diligently unto the voice of the Lord” because he or she eventually enjoys fulfillment of God’s promises.
Quote: Be child-like. Be foolish enough to trust God’s instruction & tools. Then you will see the miraculous.
Prophetic Decree: Receive a hearing ear and a doing heart, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. I receive grace to thirst and hunger for your leading, O Lord.
2. I receive grace to do your bidding, O Lord.
3. I receive grace to persist in your bidding, O Lord.
4. I receive grace to follow your bidding, O Lord.
5. I receive grace to receive a crown of righteousness having done your bidding, O Lord.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 21-23