FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2019 THEME: ANY EXPECTATIONS FROM GOD?

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE:  FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2019

THEME: ANY EXPECTATIONS FROM GOD?

MEMORISE:
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? Matthew 20:32

READ: Matthew 20:29-34

20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.  20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.  20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.  20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?  20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.  20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

MESSAGE

It is a sad thing to realise that some children of God virtually expect nothing from Him. In the guise of modesty and spirituality, some people practically live a life of begging. Like Lazarus, they live off the provision of their fellow brethren, whom they sometimes consider to be "worldly". Rather than asking God and working towards having something productive to do that will meet their needs, they prefer living at the expense and mercy of other people. They can be likened to the older brother of the prodigal son, who did not realise who he was and the enormous resources at his disposal as the dutiful son of a very rich man (Luke 15:11-32). It was in his presence that his younger brother foolishly asked for his share of their father's inheritance and went away to squander it. The older brother kept on working faithfully in his father's business but never bothered to ask for anything meaningful to celebrate with his friends, even though he desired to do so. The reason he did not ask was because he  chose to feign spirituality and modesty. His inward nature and desire came to the fore when his younger brother returned in repentance, and their father forgave him and even celebrated the occasion by killing the fattest cow this older brother has been grooming! Probably he had been planning to ask his father to let him have that cow to celebrate a special occasion. Unfortunately for him, the cow was used to celebrate a lost son who was found! Luke 15:28-30 captures his reaction to this, saying:

"And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf."

In response, his father reminded him that all he had was his. In other words, if he had asked, he would have received whatever he wanted. The bottom line here is that the older son neither knew what he wanted nor his place in his father's household. He was even asking for just a little goat out of all his father had, which actually belonged to him! He ended up being jealous, and this kept him outside while others enjoyed themselves in his father's banquet hall. Beloved, what is your expectation from the Lord as you serve Him and do is bidding? In today's Bible reading, Jesus asked the blind men, "*_What will ye that I shall do unto you?_*" They wisely responded, "*_Lord, that our eyes may be opened._*" Consequently, Jesus compassionately touched them, and they received their sight. The Lord will have compassion on you today, provided you sincerely tell Him what you desire from Him. There is no impossibility with God; He will surely meet your expectations.

KEY POINT:
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:24)

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Chronicles 31-32, Revelation 19:6-21

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Saviour, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!