Today’s Devotion
Topic: Pray For The Church!
Text: Jeremiah 23: 13-14a
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. 14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie.They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. Amen
The Lord had identified two kinds of prophets operating in Samaria and Jerusalem respectively.
The prophets of Samaria were false. They prophesied by the idol baal, not the Holy Spirit. They looked and acted like prophets of God Almighty but underneath was an allegiance to baal. The led many astray with this deception.
The second kind of prophets were the prophets of Jerusalem. They were called by God. They didn’t prophesy by baal but were very ungodly. They committed adultery and lived a lie (preaching one thing and living the other). Most of them went so far to strengthen the hands of evildoers such that, not one of them turned from their wicked ways.
However, unlike the two kinds of prophets mentioned above, Samuel was loyal to his God and his calling right from his youth. He was so genuine a prophet that in his farewell speech, he dared Israel to accuse him of any form of deceit, abuse, oppression or corruption. (1 Samuel 12: 1- 4)
Our dispensation has seen the emergence of so many prophets with claims and prophesies that must be be taken seriously. But their lifestyle is not different from the prophets of Samaria and Jerusalem.
These “men of God” are misleading the ignorant for selfish gains while the church looks on unconcerned. After all, we have been taught to “touch not the Lord’s anointed and do His prophets any harm”. But are the prophets of Samaria and Jerusalem the “Lord’s Anointed”? Why are we looking on till our own relatives and loved ones are manipulated and led astray before we act. Rise up now child of God, pray for the Church!
Pray that our hearts be enlightened and our minds illuminated by the Holy Ghost to discern through prophecies. Rejecting those that are either questionable or coming from questionable prophets and holding to what is consistent with the word of God.
It is true what Matthew 24: 11 & 24 say: that many false prophets will emerge in these end times to deceive many. But that is even more the reason why the church must wake up and win as many for our Lord Jesus, before evil men lead the innocent astray.
Meditate on this word and begin to pray now. Ask the Holy Ghost to enlighten the eyes of your heart so that you may know the hope to which God has called you. The riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1: 18- 19a). That way, you will not be deceived.
“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude: 24- 25). Click: https://youtu.be/OhHsgZznJxA
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