Today’s Reading:
Psalm 119:9-16
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget they word. (vv. 9-16 AKJV)
Have you ever been at a crossroads, not knowing what decision to make, or which way to go? And after having been given good counsel in a direction, imagine the joy, the relief you will experience. As if a heavy burden has been taken off your shoulder. This is fine. But as a believer, the best counsel for direction to live an abundant life that is pleasing to God can be found in the word of God – the Bible. There is a word for all situations in the Bible. Hiding the Word of God in our hearts by studying, meditating, and memorising verses and passages of the Scripture is the best weapon we have to defend ourselves against sin. So that we will not sin against God, be able to live in His blessings, and operate in His victory (vv. 9-11).
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Our world is drowning in a sea of impurity. It has been plunged into decay, confusion and further darkness. Job 1:6-7 told us that, the day when the sons of God presented themselves to God, Satan also was present. God asked him where he was coming from. He answered that he was going to and fro on earth, and from walking back and forth on it, looking for whom to devour. Today, he is doing this with ferocious strength, knowing that he has limited time. It’s like a floodgate of satanic activities and operations is opened into our world. There is a serious rage from the kingdom of darkness, a fierce battle is going on in the spirit realm. And unless we engulf ourselves in the Word of God, we cannot escape the lies, deceit, bait and snare of the enemy. Because our strength is not a match for his.
The enemy is seriously out to defile our body which houses the Spirit of God, and is the temple of God. He is all out to destroy our salvation and to drown and tarnish the glory and honour God bestows on us. The Psalmist asked a pertinent question how can we stay pure in a filthy environment and world? This question is referred to both young and old. At the same time, he answered, that unless we have counsel and strength, we cannot overcome the tempting influences of the media, evil comparison, lust of the flesh, evil control and manipulation, evil peer pressure, evil soul tie, and evil world systems all around us. And it is by reading, meditating upon the word of God and doing what it says that we can get the strength and wisdom to overcome. Job 22:21 says that we should acquaint ourselves, yield and submit ourselves to God, agree with Him and be conformed to His will, then we will be at peace. That’s when we will prosper and good will come our way. When Joshua took over after Moses’ death, the Lord told him that the book of the Law should not depart from his mouth. He should read it and meditate upon it day and night so that he would be able to carefully do what is written in it. Then he would make his way prosperous, and he would succeed in whatever good he lays his hand to do (Jos. 1:8).
What do we do?
Admit that you are far away from the Almighty, and need forgiveness and help. Be interested in listening to the Word of God to help you surrender to the lordship of our lord Jesus Christ.
By the help of the Holy Spirit, daily read and meditate upon the word of God and keep his Word in your heart, so that you will remember to do as it instructs.
Have a prayer altar in your house and in your heart that is, continuously pray for mercy and help. Do not leave a vacuum in your mind.
Forgive all who have offended you, this is very important in your walk with God. Immediately the thought of the offence props up in your mind, pull down the stronghold and cast it out of your mind.
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach, enable and encourage you to always operate in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Always put on the whole armour of God, depending on the strength and might He supplies. Be able to exercise the dominion of God in Christ Jesus over situations.
Be a prayer addict. Regularly ask the Holy Spirit to repair your prayer altar, and teach your hands to war and your fingers to battle.
Regularly wear the love of God and charity as a garment.
Do not try to revenge offences. Leave God to fight your battle.
Daily reject the devil and he will flee from you. He is a defeated foe.
Surrender your will to the will of God, He is in control. He created you for a purpose.
Continually seek the face of God and include fasting in your life.
Acquaint yourself with the source of the power of God: the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and Prayer.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. The world and they that dwell therein. And the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Lord, create in me a pure heart, and renew a right, humble and teachable spirit within me, in Jesus’ name.
Let the blood of Jesus separate me from company and friends that would not add value to my life, this year in Jesus’ name.
Lord, repair my prayer altar. Refuel it, rekindle it, and sharpen my spiritual sword, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, heal me of my sinful nature, uproot bitter roots and its fruit from my life, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, separate me from the sinful nature of this world; let my will be lost in your will, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, teach me, help me, encourage me to continually seek your face, in Jesus’ name.
I say No! to the control, manipulations, lies, deceit and baits of the devil, his cohorts, and his human agents, in Jesus’ name.
O Lord encourage and strengthen the body of Christ to be able to withstand the wiles of the devil, depend on the strength and might you supply, and be able to stand our ground in our faith, in Jesus’ name.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. You who lead Joseph like a flock, You who dwell among the cherubim, shine forth before the nations calling on Your name, especially our nation Nigeria. Stir up Your strength, and come to save and rescue us. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name.
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