ESOCS Devotional 2 August 2026 – Unity For Glory
MEMORY VERSE: Memory Verse: John 17:11b“…. Holy Father, keep through thy own name those whom thou had given me, that they may be one as we are.”
TEXT: John 17:1-11
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
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Glory refers to the fame, honour, or praise we get for achieving something impressive. It also refers to the divine attributes of God or the bliss of heaven. Unity refers to the state of being one or the quality of being united. This teaching today will reveal some of the benefits or blessedness we can get from God if we as a church, family or group work as a united force.
Jesus prayed for his disciples and for himself to the hearing of his disciples. He intentionally said the prayer loud so that they will learn the secrets of blissful work.In the first place, he asked for God’s glory to be revealed in him as a condition for him to glorify God. This teaches that we can do nothing to please God except God empowers us to so do. Jesus received the spiritual power to be able to minister and stand to prevail against wickedness, persecution and death. His resurrection is a revelation of the glory of God upon his life. We can also prevail if we rely on the Spirit of God. (John 17:1-3).
Secondly, Jesus stated that he had finished the work God gave him to do and therefore demanded that God should fulfil his part to glorify him. (Verses 4-5) This teaches that our target while on earth should be to identify and do that purpose which God has anointed us to carry out. You will not be a worthy person if you abandon your purpose midway. There may be no reward for you. Complete your task and demand your reward. God did not fail to honour Christ and He will not fail to honour us with eternal life and all the benefits it carries.
Thirdly, Jesus revealed the tool of his work on earth and that is the word which God had given him and manifestation of the name of God. (verses 6-8). This teaches that we must know God and operate with the revealed word of God as the scripture teaches. It is by this that we can build up and sustain the body of Jesus Christ (the Church).
Again, Jesus teaches that prayer is important for us to relate well with God. With prayer, we give report of our activities to God and make our request known to him. God expects us to pray and He promised that He will give to us if we pray. (Matt. 7:7; John 17:9).
Moreover, Jesus revealed that all he has belongs to God and all that God has belongs to him. The Father and son are united in everything. By this unity, God could achieve the purpose for which He sent Jesus to the world. In like manner, Jesus prayed that God should keep all believers to be united. (verses 10, 11). It is also by unity that we can accomplish the purpose of the Church.
Experience has shown that there is always high manifestation of the power of God and increase in every congregation where members unite both in worship and in service. Such situation where the poor and the rich; the preacher and prophets; the leaders and the members; the old and the young believers have regard for each other and join hands to carry out every task as they arise. This is the proper place where God reveals his glory. See (Psalm 133:1-end).
Let us therefore know that God desires us to work together in unity to enable Him command His blessing and give us eternal life. Those who sow the seed of discord in the congregation will never have access to eternal life.
Question
Do you have the desire to work together with others? Or you like to function alone and claim the glory?
Prayer
Father, give me the understanding of unity in the fold in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading:
Ezek. 26:1-14, Deut. 1:1-8, Titus 2:1-end
ESOCS Devotional 2 August 2026
