OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - MONDAY 22/07/2013 - STRIKE A BALANCE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

STRIKE A BALANCE

MEMORY VERSE

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 

Proverbs 29:2

READ

Exodus 1:15-21

Exo 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

Exo 1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Exo 1:18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

Exo 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

Exo 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

Exo 1:21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

MESSAGE 

Earlier, God had promised Abraham that through him, the whole world would be blessed. Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob and Esau, and Jacob had 12 sons. By the time they got to Egypt, they were 70 in number. Thereafter God began to multiply them over a period of time to such an extent that they became a mighty nation within Egypt. The Egyptians however became afraid of them. After all the Pharaohs that knew about Joseph died, one came who did not know Joseph. This Pharaoh came up with an evil strategy against the children of Israel. We ought to learn a few lessons from these events. We know that changes are bound to occur as one government gives way to another. Some will recognise and represent your interest while some others will not. Yet, irrespective of the earthly government in power at any given moment, the divine government of the Most High God remains unchangeable. Since this divine government is the highest level of government, it can impose its will on all earthly governments. Therefore to remain relevant at all times, stay connected with the government of heaven.

I once asked God why He decided to hide so many truths in the Book of Exodus, and He replied that the Book of Exodus is the book of the rapture. He said just as the children of Israel went enmasse from Egypt so will the saints leave the world someday. Are you prepared for this glorious day? Remember there may be no notice other than a reminder like the one you are having now. Moreover, we also learn how dangerous it is to have power without the fear of God. A man who can order the death of innocent babies is a dangerous fellow, which is why we must pray fervently that from now onwards, anyone without the fear of God will never rule our nations again. Anyone in government who does not care about preserving the lives of those under him or her has failed in governance. When the righteous are in authority, joy should flood that city, state, or community. But if you claim to be righteous and those under you are in sorrow during your dispensation, you are a shame to the Body of Christ. How is your life bringing joy to others?

ACTION POINT 

Using Psalm 72:7, pray that during your tenor in ministerial or secular affairs, the righteous will flourish and peace shall abound all through your sphere of influence.