Yesterday’s devotional revealed that Rachel’s years of barrenness was as a result of her hate for her sister Leah *(Gen. 29: 31).* What this teaches is that God might send diseases or sicknesses, accident or unfortunate thing to us Christians due to our behaviour which is at variance to His standard. When this is done, God’s intention is to correct us and bring us into His holiness (Heb. 12: 10). God arranges things to happen to us according to what He knows is beneficial for us. We usually do not agree such afflictions are beneficial. Therefore, we allow resentment to build up in our minds against God.
God spanks us most when He sees us derailing in faith and commitment in serving Him. For instance, many God’s Ministers had suffered period of divorce as a result of their total negligence of their families while devoting all in them to serving God. When the divorce comes, both husbands and wives were allowed to pass through very unbearable emotional, social and spiritual trauma. More lessons would be learnt by them at this period. Thereafter, God allows them to reunite. After the reunion, the marriage comes up more powerful and bonding. Few of these Ministers who neglect taking the case to God usually lost their marriages and ended up in frustration. This is why one Pastor Rollie Anderson says: “God chastens us so we can be purified and be able to partake in His holiness.”
My personal experience between 1987 to 1994 suits Anderson’s view. I was very dedicated to God. I proposed marriage to a girl of my choice then, who was highly devoted to God too. The relationship went on till I graduated as Higher National Certificate holder. I went for orientation, rushed back to the village at the end of the orientation. The moment I got home, I was told the girl was forced to marry another boy seven days ago. There and then, I announced my leaving the church. This I did. My backslidden was for about five years plus two years of making effort to return to God. Within this backslidden period, things turned too unbearable for me till 1994. Nothing I touched worked. I fully went back to God in 1994. God showed me so many reasons why He allowed the engagement to break. I became more powerful with God. I Got married in 1995 with God’s choice-lady. Today, everything I thought eluded me were restored gloriously in many folds.
I believe this devotional is addressing somebody who might have backslidden on an account that God allowed certain evil happened to him or her. Check your character. Are you hating people like Rachel? Are you rebellious against God’s plans for your life? Any of such related behaviour might be the reason God is spanking you. He wants you back to become more holy and righteous. Make good of this devotional and reconcile with God. If you are with God, don’t do otherwise as you pass through ugly situations. He knows when to turn your case for good.
*PRAYERS:*
1. Father, show me today where I went wrong, so that I settle the case with you today in the name of Jesus.
2. My Father, open my spiritual eyes to see clearly your plans for my life in the name of Jesus.
3. O God my Father, receive me back today, and remove all hindrances from my ways in Jesus name.
*STATEMENT OF CONFESSION:*
God does not disown His own, I am still in the perfect will of God. Hallelujah.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch