April 23, 2021 CAC Living Water Devotional : Topic – MAINTAIN THE SECRET
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Friday, April 23, 2021 – World Book & Copyright Day
MAINTAIN THE SECRET
Read: Joshua 14:7-12
Joshua 14:7-12 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.
And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God.
And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
MEMORISE:
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
EXPOSITION
A renowned international man of God, once asked the secret if his freshness, vigour, and dynamism in his ministerial activities despite his stunning age at 80! His reply was “…secrects? Any secrets… There is no secret that is not open one in this case. The secret is simply ovedience…” What an unexpected answer! It might be expected of him by the questionnaires to mention good diet, adequate rest, etc. rest, but they were amiss. Joshua, the successor of Moses the prophet of God, at the beginning age of 85 said he was as still strong, vibrant and dynamic like he was at 40 when Israel was handed down to him by Moses! Joshua, a gallant general of God’s army looked aged physically but youthful inside. He did not lose his sight or become paralysed due to old age! What a lesson! It was because he had kept the law of His God throughout. He obeyed the Lord in all things.
Definitely, many will be astonished at yiur mental, spiritial, and physcal strength, if yiu2 keep keeping His law. “This one is not even tired at all… What is the secret?” You are aware of the open secret: it is being with the Lord Your called in obedience (cf.Acts 4:13). Turbulent, stormy, or challenging times may come, but remaining in the act of doing His will make you go through unscathed (Jos.1:3).
Do you realise many are already weary, worn out, burnt out, and tried in God’s service before they officially retire? Generals of God’s army are never tired, even when they retire. They keep marching on, leading up front, and still mopping up from the back. Some so-called youths have lost their strength in the Lord because of disobedience (cf.Isa.40:30). The secret of flourishing in the Lord is keeping all the statues of God. That is the way to be fruitful even till old age and death (Psa.92:14-16). Stay fulfilled in Him. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. I receive God’s wisdom to remain obedient to Him, in Jesus name.
2. God, help all believers to keep obeying You, renewing their strength in You and drawing fresh inspiration from You.
3. Help all the leaders of God’s people never to loose relationship with You and to be regular partakers of Your grace at the “throne”.
EXTRA READINGS FOR TODAY: Ruth 2:19-4:22; 1 Samuel 1:1-1:19; Luke 15:21-16:10