ESOCS Devotional 20 December 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 25:1-9
MEMORY VERSE: “And He will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.” Isaiah 25:1-9
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The greatest power Satan has over humanity is ignorance. Ignorance places man in darkness and puts him under the dominion of Satan through unbelief in Christ and all that He stands for; and also by making man fearful and superstitious. The Bible says that such people have “their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Eph. 4:18). They have their minds and thoughts blinded and consequently, they are dragged into darkness because they lack knowledge and understanding of the great plans of God for them. As long as they are in that state of mind, they remain under the dominion of Satan.
Such people are brought the under control of the evil one through the lies that he parades everywhere. Consequently, they keep living in bondage and suppression in all areas of their lives. They do not know of the abundant life that God gives through the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord called Satan a thief; and that his aim is to steal our goodness from us, kill our destinies which are in God, and to destroy our souls and eternity with God through luring us to love the pleasures of this world and not the things of God and godliness. But our Lord came so that we may have all the good things of this life and enjoy them to the fullest in righteousness and holiness; and then spend our eternity with Him in heaven forever in the presence of the Father (John 10:10).
People who are in bondage and darkness need the liberation that the Lord Jesus gives; that liberation comes from the knowledge that He imparts through the word of God to those who seek for it. When they receive the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and their need for fellowship with Him, the truth that they would know will set them free (John 8:32). When they come to Him in humility, truth, and complete surrender, He will make the light of His gospel shine upon their hearts and mind and give them illumination that make them understand their need for Him.
Now as Christians, we need the Lord to help us remove covering veil that creates a mist over our minds so that we would be able to fully understand the deep things of God. The light of God upon our hearts would keep us on the path of holiness, righteousness, moral and ethical sanctity. We need the light that Jesus gives so that we may overcome the world.
CHALLENGES
- How were you liberated from the dominion of sin and Satan?
PRAYERS
- Prayer for the power and wisdom of God to enable you to overcome the world.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 20 December 2022
