Today’s Devotion
Topic: How We Had Hoped!
Text: Luke 24: 17- 21
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas,asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” He asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet,powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. Amen
Mostly before the promise of God for your life would be fulfilled, it may seem dead. Things may really look ugly and those who used to believe in you, will now say among themselves “oh, we had hoped he’d be a great person.”
Whenever your life story is told this way by family and friends, it means like Cleopas, they actually saw so much potential in you and had high expectations for you too. But now, the vision seems dead. And they are disappointed.
Beloved, never let it bother you when you find yourself in a situation like this. Every SEED sown must necessarily die in the soil first before it germinates and grows till it bears beautiful fruits. The path way to living the purpose of God can be tough and rough. Things may get really bad before the best results are produced. This requires perseverance and the determination to rise after each fall.
You see, all this while, it was Jesus (Himself) speaking with Cleopas and his friend. They didn’t even realise it was Him. In their minds, He was already dead and gone. BUT HE IS ALIVE! HIS DESTINY INCLUDED DYING FOR TWO DAYS, BUT IT WAS NOT TO END AT DEATH. NOW HE IS SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD INTERCEDING FOR US!
You too arise again and keep on keeping on. Some people genuinely love you and are hoping you will be great. Don’t give up this early. Begin to pray now. Ask for the grace to carry on.
NB: 20days more to 4JBand’s Christmas Concert and Album Launch. 3pm.
(www.yonghana.org, Fbk: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
