OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - TUESDAY- 19/11/2013 - THE HEAVENLY RACE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE HEAVENLY RACE

MEMORY VERSE

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Corinthians 9:24

READ

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Matthew 2:2 Saying, where is the King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared

Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

MESSAGE

Some wise men saw the star that announced the birth of an extraordinary king and they began to follow it. That journey took them about two years. In the process of tracing the star, they entered Jerusalem and went straight to the king, introducing themselves and their purpose for coming into his domain. In those days, such wise men were highly regarded by kings. The king never knew of such a child and so he sent spies after them who secretly tailed them as they continued their search, having seen the star again. They eventually arrived at the location where the star finally stood and there they saw the child the awesome Creator of the universe. How glad they were, they then did only what very few people ever do. They fell on their faces and worshipped Him and gave Him gifts. That was wisdom. Many of us have learned to give gifts to our pastors and churches but are yet to learn to give gifts to God. When last did you give God a gift? Yet, you keep asking Him to give you gifts.

Like the wise men, every race starts at some point. For the wise men, the race started when they saw the star but for the rest of us, it starts the day we surrendered our lives to Jesus. This race is not a 100 metres dash but a marathon - a long distance run- a race that will be run for a life time with its finishing line in Heaven. Back in 1973 when I got born-again, I thought the Lord would come before 1974. When Paul wrote about the rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, he was much younger then and he thought he would be alive to partake of the rapture, but he went to glory by the medium of death. This race can last longer than you think and would require rugged determination to make it to Heaven. The wise men were determined when they left home or else, they could have returned before they reached their goal. Beloved, it is great to start the race but the reward comes from finishing strong. The race you have started on earth the day you received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, may you finish it in Heaven. May you never give up on the Lord until you see Him face to face on that glorious day.

PRAYER POINT

In the marathon from earth to Heaven, Father, don't let me tire before reaching the terminal point.