Category: OLD TESTAMENT

GOD DISTRACTED SAUL TO PROTECT DAVID – 1 Samuel

God Knows How To Protect His Children

(Passage: 1 Samuel 23)

Protection comes from God! God distracted King Saul and prevented him from capturing David. The scripture stated,

“Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi” (1 Samuel 23:26-29).

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God’s Protection Remains For His Children

Believers must understand that God’s protection stand’s sure on us! He knows how to protect his children during a crisis; he will shield us from the onslaught of the enemy. Jehovah will respond to the cries of his children whenever we call on him, and he will defend us for the sake of glorifying his name.

God’s protection still remains for his child who fails at any point or other. He will show mercy to help his children so that Satan will not take the glory. Jehovah will restore a backslid Christian and restore him to the joy of his salvation. It is important that God’s children (Christians) reserve their trust in God. We must take refuge in Him for he is an unbeatable God!

God’s Protection: “God of the universe that Christians serve is faithful to help us triumph during challenges. Christians are God’s children; we occupy a special place in his heart, and he will benefit us with his limitless provision and protection. It is important that we (believers) trust God when we are at the point of needs. Why? God is an Omnipotent one – His strength has no limit!” (BibleLifeLesson.com)

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Prayer To Trust God For Protection

Dear God, I believe that you are a strong God who does a great thing for his children. Your protection stands sure on your people! You have the power to do all things, and you will perform your wonders in the lives of people who trust you. Therefore, I ask that you give me strength to trust you! Please let my faith turn to testimony. Subdue every mountain for me and give me an upper hand over my adversaries. Help me to enjoy your victory every day of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD REWARDED JOSHUA FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS – Joshua

Obedience Leads To God’s Blessing

(Passage: Joshua 19)

Joshua who led Israelites to possess the Promised Land also claimed his own personal portion of the inheritance. Israelites awarded his entitlement to commemorate God’s faithfulness on him. Joshua had demonstrated remarkable courage in the past. He joined Caleb to stand with God in the wilderness, when others refused.

The scripture reported how he was rewarded:

“When they (Israelites) had made an end of dividing

the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritances among them to Joshua the son of Nun. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it” (Joshua 19:49-50).

Lesson on Obedience

God still rewards people who diligently seek him. He will ensure they are blessed so that people can glorify his name. He will lift his children up and he will bless them. In fact, God’s rewards on his faithful children will extend beyond this earth! He would dignify them in heaven, and they will also receive crowns of glory.

Prayer of Grace to be Worthy of God’s Blessings

Dear Lord, I love good rewards, and I want you to give me many of them. Let me faithfully serve you so that I can qualify for your blessings. Please encourage me to stand with you at all times, even when it is no convenient! Let me be your true son/daughter/servant that would receive honor on the Day of Reckoning. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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ISRAEL EXPERIENCED GOD’S FAITHFULNESS – 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles – God Remains Faithful Through Thick and Thin

(Passage: 1 Chronicles 16)

God was faithful to Israelites his children. King David recounted some of Jehovah’s faithfulness, and mentioned how God supernaturally lead Israelites out of Egypt and brought them to their Promised Land.

God was faithful as David stated, “When they went from one nation to another, And from one kingdom to another people, He permitted no man to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do my prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:20-22).

God will do the Unimaginable For His Children

The difference between God and man is that God does not fail on promises, but man does. Circumstances may cause a man to change his mind, but God will remain faithful to his children.

Jehovah will do whatever necessary to fulfill his promises – even when circumstances prove difficult. Hence, believers are challenged to keep their faith and remain hopeful for fulfillment of God’s promises on their lives. If he said it, he will do it! The Creator may or may not require any effort from our part, but it is important that we trust him.

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Application Prayer

Prayer of Grace to Wait on the Lord

Dear God, please help me to trust you at all times. Let my confidence in you be resolute; let me cooperate with you so that you can meet all my expectations. Please give me long life, good health, and prosperity to continue enjoying your goodness. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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WOE TO WICKED PEOPLE SAYS THE BIBLE – Micah

God Will Deal With Wicked People Unless They Repent

(Passage: Micah 2)

God hates wickedness, and he asked the wicked people to repent of their evil ways or else they pay dire consequences. (Meanwhile, God promised to bless people who exercise genuine repentance).

The end game will not be sweet for a defiant person as God stated,

“Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them So they oppress a man and his house, A man and his inheritance” (Micah 2:1-2).

Lesson On Fairness and Justice

God dislike wickedness and he will cast wicked people away from his presence. People who oppress others will not exist at the mercy of God on his Day of Judgment. No alternate action for wicked people than repentance!

Jehovah who knows and sees all things will exert his righteous judgment on wicked people. Meanwhile, God will favorably deal with people who exercise fairness and justice. Compassionate people will receive God’s blessing in all their ways.

The bible states,

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21 NIV)

Prayer To Exercise Fairness

Dear God, please help me to be fair and treat other people with respect. Make me a righteous person who cares for others and make positive contributions to their lives. Do not let me be obsessed with power and/or position so that I might not sin against you!

Please forgive my past mistakes and help me to start living an acceptable life before your from today! Please count me worthy to receive your blessings always. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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GOD OF ISREAL FORFEITED THE SYRIANS’ STRATEGIES – 1 Kings

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God Will Defend His Children At All Times

(Passage: 1 Kings 20)

A Syrian king and his army underestimated God and believed they could loathe his protective power. After local gods (idols) have failed to earn the Syrians their desired victory they concluded that God of Israelites must have been powerful on the hillsides where the battle took place. Therefore, Syrians decided to change strategy to attack Israelites in the plain land. Meanwhile, they also lost the battle to Israelites.

The scripture reported, “Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, ‘their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they.’” “Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” (1 King 20:23; 1 Kings 20:28).

Lesson on God’s Power

God is not limited in power; anyone who underestimates his power will live to regret it. The same God who will negatively deal with wicked people will favor people that faithfully serve him. Jehovah is the living God! He is an omniscient Creator. He is an invisible, invincible, and indefatigable God that reign over the universe. He conceived and created all things by his power to his ssatisfaction Therefore, all people must serve him with due honor. Every living ought to faithfully serve him.

Prayer on Affirmation of God’s Strength

Dear God, I honor you because you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. Your power is great and convincing. I pledge my allegiance to you. I will not serve an idol, but my loyalty will remain with you. Please help me to remain consistent with you everyday of my life so that I can enjoy your benefits. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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PERSISTENT EXILE JEWS REBUID THEIR HOMELAND DESPITE PRESSURE – Ezra

Persistence: God Will Honor A Persistent Christian

(Passage: Ezra 5 & 6)

Some exile Jews returned home to rebuild their homeland, but the enemies were furious about their decision, and they were willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. However, Israelites summoned the courage to resist their opponents and kept their project on schedule. (They were persistent). Besides, the determined Jews pushed back against the enemies with an applicable legal backing. The authority honored their petition, and God’s name was glorified.

Bible reported,

“…Therefore, if it pleases the king, we request that a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to discover whether King Cyrus ever issued a decree to rebuild God’s Temple in Jerusalem. And then let the king send us his decision in this matter… So King Darius issued orders that a search be made in the Babylonian archives, which were stored in the treasury. But it was at the fortress at Ecbatanain the province of Media that a scroll was found. This is what it said: “Memorandum: “In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, a decree was sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem. “Let the Temple be rebuilt on the site where Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundations. Its height will be ninety feet, and its width will be ninety feet. (Ezra 5:17; Ezra 6:1-3).

Since the exile Jews remained persistent in rebuilding God’s temple, God helped them. In spite the odds they faced, Israelites were able to successfully rebuild God’s temple. They decorated it and offered acceptable sacrifices to God.

Lesson On Christian Persistence

People who serve God with persistence will not regret their decisions. God will honor them for their pious efforts. Children of God may have tough time and go through some hash circumstances, but they will ultimately prevail. They will scale through their challenges to praise the name of God. Since much benefits will is available for people who are persistent in their relationship with God, all people should endeavor to associate with him and serve him well.

Ask God for strength to be a persistent Christian who does a great thing to benefit his kingdom!

Prayer To Be Persistent In God

Dear God, please help me to be a persistent Christian. Let me be someone that loves you wholehearted. I understand that you will defend those who honor you, and you will not give room for their enemies to mock them so that your name can be praised on their behaves. Please strengthen me to work well with you to enjoy all your benefits everyday of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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ELISHA DEAD BODY RESURRECTED ANOTHER DEAD BODY – 2 Kings

Resurrection: Christians To Have Faith In God of Wonders

(Passage: 2 Kings 13)

God used Prophet Elisha greatly during his lifetime to perform many miracles. Elisha raise a dead person to life; he made a metal object float in water; he also averted a long-standing famine overnight. Perhaps none of those miracles should be considered as the greatest when compared to what happened after Elisha died. His dead bone resurrected another dead man to life!

The scripture reported,

“Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet” (2 Kings 13:21).

Faith In God Has Resurrection Power

Faith proves God’s resurrection power! The God that Christians serve is full of wonders. He does many unimaginable things for people who trust in him. People who serve God will enjoy his benefits on earth and in heaven.

Any Christian who faithfully serve God will have a basket full of testimony to share with other people! However, the challenge is left to anyone who intends to enjoy God’s benefit to not doubt his power.

People who doubt God may see their benefits eroded! It is important that a believer trust God and patiently wait to receive his help difficult a moment. God will show up in due time to benefit whosoever cast his complete trust in him.

Be hopeful in God. Trust him, and you will experience his resurrection power!

Pray To Have Resilient Faith In God

Dear God, I know you have the power to do all things. I believe in the power of resurrection! You will honor people that reserve their confidence in you. Therefore, I ask that you please increase my faith in you!

Make me a Christian who has confidence in your word that you will perfect whatever concerns me! Please let my faith turn my trial to testimony so that I praise your name among the saints. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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ISRAELITES MUST PAY THEIR VOWS – Deuteronomy

Children of God Must Redeem Their Pledges

(Passage: Deuteronomy 23)

God required Israelites to honor and redeem their pledges before him. They must not overlook any pledge or consider it irrelevant but redeem every pledge in a timely manner. God stated he would consider any Israelites’ failed promises as an offense, and he would enforce them to redeeming them.

God said to his children, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth” Deuteronomy 23:21-23

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Lesson on Keeping Promises

Our heavenly Father is a God of promise and he does not fail on a promise. He will fulfill whatever he has promised his children to the last letter – As a proof of his faithfulness. The same God of promise also expects his children to share the same principle and practice it.

God wants his children to honor their words and keep whatever promises they make in his presence. Jehovah wants us to make it a practice to redeem our vows before him; he will hold whoever fails accountable. Unfortunately, many believers are rash with their words; they are quick to make promises, but only to soon forget them. Some people will promise to offer God their time, money, or materials whenever they need his help, but only to dishonor their words afterward. Some might even say “O God if you can help me through this difficult time I will dedicate the rest of my life to you and serve you,” however they forget their words and walk away with their answered prayers.

Meanwhile, God will not forget any promise a man/woman choose to forget! He will require redemption of every promise, and he may delay anyone’s future blessing as a consequence of a failed promise.

Therefore, believers must consider it an important matter to be sensitive in the presence of their God. Everyone ought to honor his/her words, and not be loose in the speech by making irrational promises to him. Also, we must duly redeem our pledges in a timely fashion so that they can be acceptable. However, believers must understand that our call to honor the principle of redeeming vows to God does not indicate his sense of lack. Jehovah is not poor, and he doesn’t need our gifts to survive; he only needs our proof of faithfulness so that he can be motivated to shower more blessings into our lives. Once we can prove we are persons of our words, the Creator will release his remarkable blessings for our benefits, and to the glorification of his name.

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Application Prayers

Pray for Grace to be Faithful to Your Vows

Dear God, please help me to honor my words and keep my promises before you. Do not let me make empty promises to your dissatisfaction. Forgive my past-unredeemed pledges, and please let whatever opportunity I have lost due to an unredeemed pledge be returned to me. Please give me another chance for a new start so that I can be blessed. From now on, let my offerings gladden your heart to motivate invite your blessing into my life. Let me enjoy your benefits every day of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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KING JEHU KILLED IDOL WORSHIPERS – 2 Kings

God Hates Idol Worship: Christians Steer Clear

(Passage: 2 Kings 10)

King Jehu chose to take a drastic decision amidst his disinterested citizens. The king stomped his feet against idol worship by killing the idol worshipers of his land.

The scripture reported,

“Now it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, “Go in and kill them; let no one come out!” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; then the guards and the officers threw them out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal. And they brought the sacred pillars out of the temple of Baal and burned them. Then they broke down the sacred pillar of Baal, and tore down the temple of Baal and made it a refuse dump to this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel” (2 Kings 10:26-27)

People Who Serve Idol Will Suffer

God hates idol worship; he is not in friendship with idol worshipers. The Creator requires all people to serve him only. We must not serve any other deity whether it’s a god of air, land, or sea. Jehovah made the heaven and the earth, and request all people to honor him. People who serve idols and those who arrogate God’s glory to themselves have signed up for a crisis, since God does not share his glory with anyone! A person who desires to enjoy God’s benefits must give him due honor at all times.

Prayer Against Idol Worship

Dear God, please give me the ability to faithfully serve you every day of my life. Do not let me share your glory with any idol, but let my life be devoted to faithfully serving you so that I can prosper in the land of the living. I promise to obey your instructions and remain your true child forever! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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ISRAEL DEFEATED THEIR REBEL TRIBE – Judges

Judges – Perseverance in Christianity

(Passage: Judges 20)

The tribe of Benjamin rebelled against the remaining eleven tribes of Israel and insinuated a civil war. The eleven tribes who remained united asked God for a strategy to use against their rebel brothers, and he gave them some specific instructions to follow. However, United Israel lost the battle because they failed to closely follow their God-given strategy. Meanwhile, they were not discouraged. They improved on how to follow God’s instruction until they succeeded in their third attempt. The United Israelites conquered Benjamin’s tribe and brought them to their knees. The scripture reported how Israelites conquered their revolting Tribe of Benjamin.

It is reported,

“But when the cloud began to rise from the city in a column of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and there was the whole city going up in smoke to heaven. And when the men of Israel turned back, the men of Benjamin panicked, for they saw that disaster had come upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel in the direction of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them, and whoever came out of the cities they destroyed in their midst. They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them, and easily trampled them down as far as the front of Gibeah toward the east. And eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell; all these were men of valor. Then they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon; and they cut down five thousand of them on the highways. Then they pursued them relentlessly up to Gidom, and killed two thousand of them. So all who fell of Benjamin that day were twenty-five thousand men who drew the sword; all these were men of valor” (Judges 20:40-46).

Lesson on Perseverance

God still leads people today; he leads his children to take appropriate steps that will benefit their lives. However, things may sometimes work in contrary when we do not follow God’s instructions to the letter. Notwithstanding, believers should not be discouraged when they don’t have an expected result. Christians should summon the courage to understand God’s instructions well and carefully follow them. We must not hesitate to consult God over and over again until we have an expected solution. Our heavenly Father will definitely respond to our cries. He will answer our prayers and guide us unto all victories.

Prayer of Victory

Dear God, please teach me how to duly follow your instructions so that I can have my expected victories. Help me to follow when you lead. Please help me to live in victory everyday of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Amen.