Today’s devotion
Topic: IMMANUEL!
Text: Isaiah 43: 1- 3 (NLT)
- But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine 2. When you go through the deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you”. Amen.
There once lived a man of God, very dedicated and anointed. God demonstrated His awesome power through the ministry of this unique prophet. Several times He commanded fire from heaven to consume an army sent to arrest him. Once he commanded fire to consume an offering soaked with water. The prayers of this prophet shut the heavens for years; there was no rain till he prayed for rain. His cloak parted the famous Jordan river into two.
However, when this great prophet heard that Jezebel, the evil treacherous wife of King Ahab had sworn to take his life, he became afraid, not so much of Jezebel as a woman, but of her ability to use her evil powers to control the state system and mechanism against whoever she pleased. Even the king was under her spell and influence.
The prophet was again afraid because he felt he was the only one left to face this witch and all of Israel who had joined her cult. He fled for his life and eventually prayed to God to take his life before she does. This great prophet was Elijah.
Fear is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm by something”. The devil is always at his best whenever we entertain fear.
When ever fear grips your heart and troubles your soul, remember the other name of your Lord is “IMMANUEL”, which means God with us! The Almighty, All Powerful, All Seeing, All Knowing God is with us, watching over us in our going in and our coming out. He is with us through the fire and stormy waters. He is with you right now!
He has always been there. He already knew about all these before they even happened and that is why He desires that you remain connected and not just show up when you run out of ideas.
He says to you today “don’t be afraid, I have ransomed you”. This means you were already delivered even before the billows threatened. Begin to pray, ask for grace to walk through this assurance even when the odds are against you.
Indeed Immanuel- God is with us: https://youtu.be/fj5y7di1kM0
(www.yonghana.org; Like our Facebook page: Y Outreach Network)
