ESOCS Devotional 25 January 2022
TEXT: GALATIANS 1:11-24
MEMORY VERSE: “To reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” Galatians 1:16 KJV
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see [a]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.
In the kingdom of God, there is a definite and a finite protocol to how men are made mighty. No one rises without following processes; and as a matter of fact, those who try to rise by bye-cutting processes would only be like a flower that blossoms in the morning and dies off as the sun rises.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power, no foe can withstand” (Ps. 91 – AMP].
David began to introduce the concept of the secret place, the place where men are fashioned, designed, and equipped by the Holy Spirit. The secret place, as many may have misunderstood, is not limited to protection from disaster or calamity but it is a place where warriors are made and equipped.
Apostle Paul reveals to the church at Galatia the source of his profound revelation and making. He began by saying that after he was saved by the grace of God; he did not rush out to consult any mortal man; rather, he went to Arabia. It may interest you to know what Paul went to do in Arabia. Apostle Paul went to a place that could afford him the opportunity to spend time with the Holy Spirit. Having a new orientation about the faith life, he decided to travel to be alone with the Holy Spirit, governor of his spirit. No wonder he was able to receive revelations that were not earthly.
It is true that you were predestined to be great; it is true that you were designed for the Master’s use; but we are too cold and clueless to embark on the journey of the Spirit. We will never be effective outside the covering and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
There is a place where men are made. It is called the secret place: the place where you light up the lamps on your altars; the place where you fan up the smoldering embers; the place where you release the sounds of your melody to the Holy Spirit; the place where you allow Him prune you with His fire until you are spotless and set to conquer nations for Jesus.
“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Prov. 23:26 – KJV). Oh, how we need to go back to the altars of prayer, not as a corporate body or group, but a personal fellowship with our heart and not just our mortal bodies. The Holy Spirit beckons for your heart.
- Never attempt to skip the process ordained by God.
- Lord, I come under your shadow that I may be processed into who you want me to be.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 56:1-8; Ezekiel 3:22-27; Philippians 3:1-14
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ESOCS Devotional 25 January 2022
