OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY MAY 4TH 2017

THEME: HELP FOR THE HELPLESS

Memorise:

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:7

Read: Psalm 9:18-20

9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

9:19 Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

9:20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.

MESSAGE

There are general blessings and also personal blessings. I have observed that anytime David wanted to discuss something that is very important to him, he normally personalize it. For instance, in Psalm 23:1, he says,
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
He did not say, “The Lord is our shepherd”. He was simply saying, “I can only speak for myself; I don’t know about you.” I pray that you will experience God as the Good Shepherd, so that you can testify personally and not just by sharing other people’s experiences. A shepherd is a person who looks after sheep. One thing you will observe about sheep is that they are very defenseless against predators. They cannot bite, they have no claws, and they cannot run fast; their only defense is the shepherd.

You will agree with me that it is a very frightening thing to be defenseless in a hostile world. It is indeed a horrible feeling to be completely helpless. When a man is sick, he runs to the doctor hoping to be healed, but when the doctor tries his best and says there’s nothing he can do, the sick becomes hopeless. When a man has serious financial problems, he runs to his bank expecting a bailout, but what will he do when the bank insist on using assets he doesn’t have as collateral? In the same way, when a child is sick, he looks up to his parents for help and care, but how will the child feel if his parents tell him that the forces battling against him are beyond their capability? Worst still, imagine how you will feel if your pastor tells you that after praying all manner of prayers, there is nothing more he can do to help you! It is a terrible thing to feel lonely or forsaken by relatives and loved ones. A man who once experienced such a situation used these words to express his feelings in Psalm 102:6-7:
“I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.”

Have you been in such a situation? Do you feel exposed, naked and prone to shame? Are you facing the worst of times with no one to defend you? Has everyone you thought could help deserted you and now you think life is worthless? I bring you good news today! There is hope for the hopeless and cover for the naked. God can still do something about that hopeless situation you are going through. God is very close to you, and He will reach out and touch you today. The Lord will make a way for you! Call on Him and tell Him you have no one to help you but Him. Ask Him to help you now. He will answer and turn your situation around for good.

Key Point:

When everything else has failed, never give up your hope for a better life; although it may take time, help will surely come.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 1
Jeremiah 25:17-33

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4: THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR

1. Through the love of God our Savior,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor,
All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
Perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
All must be well.

2. Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
All, all is well.
Happy still in God confiding;
Fruitful if in Christ abiding;
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding:
All must be well.

3. We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well.
On our Father's love relying,
Jesus every need supplying;
Or in living or in dying;
All must be well.

Prayer Points on Today's Open Heavens Thursday, May 4th, 2017) - HELP FOR THE HELPLESS

1.Father, l worship you, because you are the help of the helpless; and a very present help in times of trouble.

2.Thank you Father, for it is by your mercy, that, l have not been consumed.

3.Father, in anyway, l have fallen short of your glory, have mercy and forgive me.

4.Father, you have promised to help me; l need your help, please, help me, in Jesus' name.

5.Father, do not allow my expectations in you to be cut short, please, connect me to all those you have appointed to help me in life, in Jesus' name.

6.Father, let every arrow of affliction, fired into my life, go back to sender, in Jesus' name.

7.Father, you are my refuge and fortress, and in you do l trust, please, take over all my battles and fight for me, in Jesus' name.

8.Father, send your fear and terror into the camp of my enemies, that, they may know that they are mere men and mortals, in Jesus' name.

9.Father, come and turn every hopeless situation, in my life around for good, in Jesus' name.

10.Father, you are my shepherd, therefore, l shall not want; please, lead me to greener pasture, in Jesus' name.

11.Father, please, find a permanent solution to every impossible and difficult situation, in my life, in Jesus' name.

12.Your Personal petitions.
( Phil 4:6)
13.In Jesus' name I pray.
(Jn 14:13-14; 15:16)
14.Thank you Father for answered prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
#GodBlessOurNation