ESOCS Devotional 27 November 2024 – It Is Not In Vain
MEMORY VERSE: “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” Isaiah 45:19 Ecclesiastes 9:16
TEXT: ISAIAH 45:18-25
For thus says the Lord,
Who created the heavens,
Who is God,
Who formed the earth and made it,
Who has established it,
Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited:
“I am the Lord, and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
In a dark place of the earth;
I did not say to the seed of Jacob,
‘Seek Me in vain’;
I, the Lord, speak righteousness,
I declare things that are right.
20 “Assemble yourselves and come;
Draw near together,
You who have escaped from the nations.
They have no knowledge,
Who carry the wood of their carved image,
And pray to a god that cannot save.
21 Tell and bring forth your case;
Yes, let them take counsel together.
Who has declared this from ancient time?
Who has told it from that time?
Have not I, the Lord?
And there is no other God besides Me,
A just God and a Savior;
There is none besides Me.
22 “Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.
24 He shall say,
[c]‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.
To Him men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him.
25 In the Lord all the descendants of Israel
Shall be justified, and shall glory.’ ”
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With the trend of persecution Christians go through today coupled with the diverse circumstances and challenges confronting believers, there appears to be a subtle message being passed across as though all who seek God do so in vain. It is packaged and presented as though there is no need seeking God at all. But hear this, no matter what you have heard, seen or experienced, it is never in vain to seek God. Yes! We can vividly confirm to you that seeking God is never in vain. You are not wasting your life, your time and resources seeking God. We can clearly state that there is no vainness in running after God. Do not agree with any fallacy propounded that your search or worship of God is in vain or a waste.
You need to understand that the God who asked you to seek Him is righteous and true to His word. He says things that are right and there is no God besides Him. Therefore, His word is reliable and it fulfils the purpose for which it is sent out. It is also good you know God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love (Heb. 6:10). God is not wicked, neither does He turn blind eyes to your diligent search for Him. All you need is to have faith in Him so that you will please Him. The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:16).
Beloved, let it be settled in your heart that you are seeking a God who is a rewarder and a blesser. Therefore, it is not possible for you to seek Him in vain. Let these scriptures encourage you today: “…For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Psalm. 9:10); “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:10); “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee…” (Psalm 40:16); “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee …” (Psalm 63:1); “…and those that seek me early shall fend me” (Prov. 8:17); “…but they that seek the Lord understand all things” (Prov. 28:5); “…and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper” (2 Chron. 20:5); and “The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God” (Psalm 69:32). Let it be settled again and again in your heart that your seeking God is not in vain.
- Seek God, His kingdom and His Righteousness faithfully.
- Have unshaken faith on the God you seek.
- Let nothing drift you away from seeking after God.
- Father, thank you for the invitation to seek you. Give me the grace to always seek you and let me benefit from the reward due all those who seek you, in Jesus name Amen.
Further Reading: Isaiah 28:17-end; John 14:15-24
ESOCS Devotional 27 November 2024
