SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2018 THEME: MERCY VERSUS JUDGEMENT

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUNDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2018

THEME: MERCY VERSUS JUDGEMENT

MEMORISE:
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1

READ: Psalm 103:17-22

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

MESSAGE

Our God is a holy God. At the same time, He is Love. From time to time, the holiness of God and the love of God may clash. His holiness will direct Him to go one way while His love will direct Him to go the other way. These two divine attributes may therefore seem to be at odds with each other. When the love of God wins we obtain mercy, but when His holiness triumphs, we get judgement. Many times, God's holiness deliberately allows His love to keep winning. Why? Because it knows that it is already settled that without holiness, no man shall see God (Hebrews 12:14). Our deeds often deserve God's judgement, but the love of God triumphs, and we obtain mercy. One thing is certain: it is because the love of God wins that we are able to see another day. Thank God for His mercies, because they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Love is optimistic, always saying to God, "Don't lose hope in him; he will get better; let's give him another day to repent and become holy." However, a day will come when God's judgement will take its course.

On the basis of the scripture that says "the mercy of God endures forever", some people make several ridiculous claims. Some of them say "I can do whatever I like; the mercy of God that has helped me thus far will keep forgiving me forever." Some even prepare their confessional plea before they commit sin! They say to God, "Please forgive me for this lie I am about to tell." Such people are only deceiving themselves. The fact that God's love grants us access to His mercy does not mean that God is stupid. Yes, the mercy of God endures forever, but not for those who do not fear Him. Psalm 103:17-18 says:

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.”

Those who fear God are wise enough to know that any pleasure derived from sin is actually poisoned. If you fear Him, you will know that although He is a very good friend, He can also be a very dangerous enemy. If He decides to fight you, no one can rescue you from His hands. It is folly for a child to keep annoying his or her father just because he or she was forgiven yesterday. One day, the father with turn to that child with a rod, and because the child has been steadily building up annoyance in the heart of the father, that rod will do some serious havoc. I pray that God will touch your heart and take away every appetite for sin in Jesus' Name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me a heart of flesh that yields to your corrections in Jesus' Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 27-28, John 3:1-21

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.