Knowing JESUS Daily Devotional | February 19, 2019 | Enrich and Sustain your relationship with Jesus reading our daily devotional – A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. – Habakkuk 3:1-2.
Beloved, your Father in heaven is in deed a very very compassionate God. He has been since time immemorial and will never change until the end of time.
Malachi 3:6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Micah 7:18-19. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
But then His compassion can only be triggered when He saw compassion in the lives of saints, concerned about the plight of erring sinners of all ages.
The Bible is repleted with such compassionate saints both in the old and new testaments who stood between Him and erring sinners and averted His fiery judgement against them. See some of them, they are inexhaustible.
1. Abraham:
When the Lord revealed, what He was out to do to Soddom, Abraham prayed and his prayer, rescued. Lot.
Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
2. The same thing was what Moses did, when he came from the mountain having been away for forty days and left Israel with Aaron. Unfortunately, before he came he had made them naked, by leading them to idolatry. He prayed to God, not to destroy Aaron.
Exodus 32:25. And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
Deuteronomy 9:20. And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
3. When Rahab the harlot saw respite and deliverance through the two spies that came to Jeticho, before it was invaded by Joshua and Israel, she prayed and rescued her family, from looming death.
Joshua 2:11-14. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
4. In the same token, when our Lord saw by revelation what satan was set to do against Peter, He prayed for him.
Luke 22:31-32. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
This was the pathetic state of Habakkuk. Remember God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets.
Amos 3:7. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
The Lord had shown Habakkuk the fiery judgement, coming upon the impudent and hardheaded Jews, who refused to turn back from following idols . He was afraid of this surely forthcoming judgement on his people, so he began to pray, pleading with God, to temper judgement with mercy. See it.
Habakkuk 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
See his prayer, that he sang to God, for mercy, revival and restoration of his people.
Habakkuk 3:1-2. A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Beloved, see what Habakkuk and others saw about Israel and made them prayed.
Jeremiah 25:11-12 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ¶And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.
Daniel 9:1-6. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
Beloved, now that you are well acquainted with the righteous judgement of God on sinners. You are aware, what shall become of your unsaved spouse, children, parents, siblings, close and extended relatives, in laws, neighbours and co workers etc, should something happen to them or if the dawning rapture takes place.
Why don’t you do what others and Habakkuk had done and pulled them out of the eternal flame awaiting sinners.
Jude 1:22-23. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Are you not persuaded, that if you do something about these your loved ones, God will save their precious souls and they shall be delivered from damnation? See what His unchanging eternal words says.
Ezekiel 22:30-31. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.
Isaiah 59:16: ¶And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Isaiah 63:5: And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Jeremiah 5:1: Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
Beloved, see how Moses stood between God and Israel and made Him, to reverse the fiery judgement, He wanted to do against them.
Exodus 32:10-14. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
May the Lord find another Habakkuk in you in Jesus name.
Dearly beloved, our Lord commanded believers of all ages and you in particular, to learn of Him.
Matthew 11:28-29Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
There was one major lifestyle He passionately expects His faithful followers of all ages to learn of Him and be committed to doing, till He comes. It is genuine compassion that makes them to reach out in love and rescue sinners from perishing. See how He himself lived same lifestyle, during His earthly ministry.
Luke 19:10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 9:51-56. And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Luke 19:41-44. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Luke 22:31-32. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 23:33-34. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luke 23:39-43. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Romans 8:34: Who is he that condemneth? It isChrist that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Isaiah 53:11: He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Dearly beloved, it is always very delighting and encouraging that Bible days believers were addicted to doing this. No marvel, our Lord used them to bring multitude to His kingdom. See it.
Peter and the rest apostles.
Acts 6:2-4. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:7. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Paul:
Galatians 4:15-19. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you. My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Epaphras:
Colossians 4:12: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God
It is now your turn. I am persuaded you will not disappoint our Lord. My heart rejoices so much about you. You are a bonafide addicted faithful follower of Jesus. Please be like Jesus. In comparison reach out, henceforth to every person, likely to be lost among your world of influence. These are your loving unsaved spouse, children, parents, siblings, close and extended relatives, in laws, neighbours and co workers etc,. May the Lord depend on you in Jesus name.
Matthew 9:36-38. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
JESUS’S EVER PRESENT WILLINGNESS AND COMPASSION TO RESCUE THE PERISHING. BE LIKE HIM.
Friend, no doubt as one of the faithful believers, expecting the coming of the Lord, and daily preparing for the dawning rapture, as a wise virgin, you are aware of your position in the economy of God. See what the Bible says about you.
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
In addition you are aware that sinners within and outside your world of influence shall not be saved, except you preach to them.
Romans 10:13-15. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Very very importantly, you are aware that Christ had commissioned all believers of all ages, including you to be occupied till He comes in preaching the gospel to every creature.
Luke 19:13. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Matthew 28:18-20. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
It is important to know that what you do with this directive of the Lord determines, whether you shall partake in the rapture or not. Now see what becomes the lots of the Worldling and nominal churchgoers. They were not saved, so they shall not be part of the rapture.
Matthew 7:21-23. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
But very unfortunately, believers who have been saved, but not bothered about the salvation of others shall miss the rapture too. You shall not miss it, so be obedient to the Lord.
Ezekiel 3:17-20. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
But then, what happens if you reach out in compassion to save sinners.
Daniel 12:3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Proverbs 11:30: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Matthew 24:45-47. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
May the good Lord depend on you at this perilous time in Jesus name.
![SERMON | HOLINESS - THE PATH TO GODS HEART - BISHOP PETER BABALOLA [ General Overseer of Calvary Light of Christ Bible Church [ CLCBC ] ]](https://clcbconline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HOLINESS-THE-PATH-TO-GODS-HEART-BISHOP-PETER-BABALOLA-300x300.jpg)