Open Heaven For January 4, 2023 TOPIC – When God Breathes II
Read previous Open Heaven Devotionals here
MEMORISE: “And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.” – 2 Samuel 22:16 (KJV)
READ: 2 Samuel 22:16-25 (KJV)
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 13-17
MESSAGE:
When God decides to breathe for the sake of someone, He may not do so directly on the individual; rather, He could breathe heavily to blow away the fellow’s enemies. Whenever you see the Bible say ‘blast of His nostrils’, that is God breathing heavily to blow away the enemies of His children, as we see in Exodus 15:8-10.
With the blast of His nostrils, He parted the Red Sea that was standing in the way of the Israelites to the Promised Land and then He made the water return, to drown Pharaoh and his army. When God breathes against your enemies, not only will they be no more, you will also be established in the place of your destiny. David testified to this in verse 20 of today’s Bible reading:
He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
With one breath, the Lord cleared off all David’s enemies and also brought him into a large place. Do you know that God can do the same for you today? He can clear off all your enemies and take you to that same place that they have been trying to stop you from getting to.
Now, I have always said that the summary of all Jesus’ messages in the Bible is that nothing goes for nothing. In other words, there are always conditions to be met for everything that we expect God to do for us. What is the condition for God to breathe against our enemies and to lead us to the glorious end He has set ahead of us? It is in verses 21-25 of our Bible reading – holiness. David said the Lord rewarded him according to his righteousness and the cleanliness of his hands.
Are your hands clean? When a person is faced with enemy forces he or she cannot defeat; an ally stronger than the enemy forces would be required to guarantee victory. The ally would however, withdraw their support if the person offends them. Don’t offend your Ally. Don’t do things that will make the Lord refuse to fight for you.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to live holy. Lord, breathe against all my enemies so that I can fulfil my destiny, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN 10: In Christ Alone
1 In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
2 In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
3 There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Open Heavens 2023 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven for Today 2023