CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MARCH 16, 2024 : TOPIC – DON’T FRET
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Saturday, March 16, 2024
TOPIC: DON’T FRET
MEMORISE : Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass (Psalm 37:7).
READ: Genesis 16: 1-6
[1]. Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.
[2]. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.
[3]. Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.
[4]. So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.
[5]. Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The Lord judge between you and me.”
[6]. So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.
EXPOSITION
Getting result is a contentious topic, particularly in the ministry. Physical results, for which some people have been kissing the devil’s behind, do not appear to be received by many truly called ministers of God who have been working in the Lord’s vineyard. Results are frequently very deceptive. It is more beneficial to be goal-driven/result-oriented than to be result-sick.
Abram was called from the Ur of the Chaldeans in order to make him the father of many nations. The seed from him directly was to multiply into nations. Yet, at some points, it looked to him as if God didn’t mean what He promised because, the physical evidence looked otherwise. That led him to resort to self-help, given the pressure from his wife. His action could be justified, humanly speaking, because hope deferred can make the heart weary. But God never takes that from anyone.
Stick to God, no matter what; He is faithful to do whatever He promises. Self-help is never helpful. Don’t opt for it, no matter what. Keep hope alive and fasten your faith in God. What He says, He will do. Till now, we are facing the brunt of Abram’s impatience!
Dear devout, it is high time you were very careful of seeking results at God’s expense. Only God knows what is best for you and at what time. Whatever Satan gives you is an exchange for your dear soul. He has no free gifts. Wait patiently on God!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord Jesus, help me to always know and see You as my Exceeding Great Reward, so that I don’t begin to vainly seek reward elsewhere.
2. Lord, help me to patiently wait and follow through the processes that produce godly results.
3. Lord, deliver our leaders from impatience and loss of hope in You, in Jesus’name.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 775
1. O weary heart, there is a home,
Beyond the reach of toil and care,
A home where changes never come:
Who would not fain be resting there?
Chorus:
Oh wait, meekly wait, and murmur not!
Oh wait, meekly wait, and murmur not,
Oh wait, oh wait, oh wait, and murmur not!
2. Yet when bowed down beneath the load
By heaven allowed, thine earthly lot;
Look up! Thou’ it reach that blest abode
Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not!
3. If in thy path some thorns are found,
Oh, think who bore them on His brow,’
If grief thy sorrow heart has found,
It reached a holier than thou.
4. Toil on! Nor deem, though sore it be,
One sigh unheard, one pray’r forgot;
The day of rest will dawn for thee
Wait, meekly wait, and murmur not!
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Joshua 24,
Judges 1