ESOCS Devotional 30 September 2022
TEXT: 2 KINGS 18: 17-22
MEMORY VERSE: “You say you have strategy and military strength – but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me.” 2 Kings 18:20 NIV
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 ”
Our memory verse contains the threatening and rude words of King Sennacherib of Assyria to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The Gentile king did not only threaten King Hezekiah, he also underrated and abused the Lord God of Israel. He relegated the power of the God of Israel, insisting that the power of Jehovah was no match to his military might. To King Sennacherib, the king of Egypt whom Hezekiah was in alliance with, was far inferior to the military super power and experience of Assyria.
This is the way of the carnal man. This is the way of those who trust in their human ability. These are the sorts of people King David talked about in Psalms 20:7; thus: “some nations boast of their chariots and horses,” (NLT, but they that trust in the Lord, shall boast in the Name of God.
In the warfare between the forces of good and evil, the righteous should always put their confidence in the power and ability of God to save. Like King David said in Psalms 121:1-2, he looked up to the mountains and found help nowhere, except from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. It follows therefore, that, children of God everywhere should not entertain any fears as they pass through persecutions and diverse temptations. Testimonies abound in scripture of those who sincerely walked with God and were not ashamed. Peter was put in prison, but, through an angelic jail break operation, he was miraculously set free, following the prayer of the Church (Acts 12:7-8). Paul and Silas also experienced a similar deliverance from prison, as they sang and prayed while in prison at midnight (Acts 16:26-28). In 2 Chronicles 20:21-24, King Jehoshaphat miraculously destroyed the three powerful armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who besieged Judah. This he achieved by setting up a praise choir, who sang and praised God – even in the face of an intimidating military siege.
Only have faith in God, and pray without ceasing. They may call your prayers empty words. But don’t forget; “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16). So keep trusting God, keep praying, keeping winning. The Lord God remains your strength forever.
CHALLENGES: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were not bothered about the fiery furnace, in the belief that God would deliver them. Could you have done the same?
PRAYER POINTS: O Lord, my God, you delivered Daniel from the lions. Save me from all my pursuers.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 18: 1-4:19-14; Luke 4:16-30; Galatians 6: 1-10.
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ESOCS Devotional 30 September 2022
