Open Heaven Daily Devotional 7 February 2022
Topic: Living In Glory (IV)
MEMORISE:
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” – (Luke 15:7)
READ: Luke 15:1-24 (KJV)
Open Heaven Daily Devotional 7 February 2022 MESSAGE:
Backsliding is the act of becoming slack in spiritual commitment and not being fervent in the things of God. It means turning back from following God’s ways and guidance, forsaking His laws and commandments (Isaiah 1:4). It is a spiritual defection that grieves God, as it is a form of rebellion and adultery before Him (Jeremiah 3:8). Backsliders are likely to forget God’s mighty works in their lives, ignore His counsel, and reject His instruction (Psalm 78:11, Psalm 107:11, Isaiah 30:9).
Backsliders are children of God who had repented of their sinful acts and turned a new leaf, but then relapse into their former ungodly ways. Backsliding is, therefore, like abandoning one’s faith. As we have learnt from the lessons of the past three days, there is nothing glorious in backsliding. If anyone is in doubt, let the fellow find out from King Saul, who once prophesied by the Spirit of God but ended up being tormented by an evil spirit.
Backsliding is so terrible that it can invoke God’s anger. In (2 Samuel 12:25), the Bible says, “And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.” Jedidiah means “beloved of the Lord”. However, in (1 Kings 11:9), the Bible says, “And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice”.
Backsliding ignited the anger of God against Solomon, despite His initial love and affection for him at birth and early life. God reacted to the backsliding of the nation of Israel similarly, according to Psalm 78:57-59 which says, “But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers… When God heard this, he was wroth, And greatly abhorred Israel”.
To return to living a glorious life in Christ, however, a backslider must do the following: Accept Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour, repent of and forsake every sin, and begin to testify to the mercy of God that restored him or her.
Have you fallen from glory to shame? Return to the Lord, and He will welcome you with open arms, as we saw in our Bible reading today.
God bless you.
RCCG Open Heaven 7 February 2022 ACTION POINT:
Father, please forgive me for backsliding and make me abide in You forever, in Jesus’s name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 22-23
HYMN 28 – WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
1. When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
CHORUS:
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise,
Not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear,
Not a sorrow we share
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss,
Nor a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove
The delights of His love,
Until all on the altar we lay,
For the favour He shows
And the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet
We will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
What He says we will do,
Where He sends we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
