OPEN HEAVEN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 2017

Monday August 14, 2017

THERE SHALL BE NO BARRIER     
 
Memorise : There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. - Joshua 1:5
 
Read:  Zechariah 4:6-9
 
4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

4:8 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.
 
 
MESSAGE :
 
The Lord spoke the words of today’s memory verse to Joshua at a very crucial time in his life. Moses, the man of God, had just departed and handed over the baton of spiritual and political leadership of Israel to him. Obviously, this was a very scary thing for Joshua. Having been the servant of Moses, he knew the severity of the spiritual assignment ahead. He also had firsthand experience of the several episode of political intrigue and multiple rebellions against his master.

Joshua least expected the leadership mantle to fall on him, since there were (at least) seventy elders ahead of him, most of whom he esteemed to be better suited as political  leaders compared to himself. There was also the family of priests, members of which he reckoned to be more experienced for the spiritual leadership of Israel. Nevertheless, although age, experience and maturity may not have favoured him, it still pleased the Lord to appoint him as a replacement for Moses; and knowing Joshua’s fearful state of mind, He therefore spoke those words of assurance to encourage and embolden him in his new assignment. I pray for you today, you will receive divine support and assurance that will propel you to success in Jesus’ Name.
 
Today, God is telling you that there shall be no barrier to your promotion, success and breakthrough, God has the power to make such declaration about you because He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and He is the Author and Finisher of your faith. All powers in heaven and on earth belong to Him, and His word is Yea and Amen. Numbers 23:19 says this about Him:

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
 
We have assurance in the word of God that God is able to bring whatever he says to reality. I therefore, encourage you to rely on his promise to you, knowing well that He is the Creator of all things - whether visible or invisible, all things were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

Furthermore, you also have reason to believe strongly that there shall be no barrier to the fulfillment of your destiny because of His mighty acts both in history and even now. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Holy One of Israel, who delivered the Israelites from 430 years of captivity. He parted the Red Sea and provided manna in the wilderness.

He is the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, who heals, delivers and raises the dead. May His Name be praised forever.
  
PRAYER POINT :
Father, please speak a word of support and assurance into my life today that will send jitters down the spine of my enemies and detractors in Jesus’ Name. 
 
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR :
2 Kings 12-13;
Ezekiel 24:1-14

 
HYMN 1: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

1.  My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
 
2.  May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
 
3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
 
4. When life’s swift race is run,
Death’s cold work almost done,
Be near to me.
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
Redeemed and free!