RHAPSODY OF REALITIES TEEVO DEVOTIONAL
27TH MAY , 2018 ; PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME;
THEY DON’T COUNT!
(Never Be Downcast Because Of Adversaries)
TO THE BIBLE Luke 6:26 GNB
“How terrible when all people speak well of you; their ancestors said the very same things about the false prophets.”
LET’S TALK
God desires that every one of us be successful, and depending on your level of success, you’ll automatically become a persona non-grata to some; you’ll attract adversaries. That shouldn’t bother you! You shouldn’t feel rejected or sad if there’re those who are against you, or those who don’t accept or approve of your success. Actually, when you identify those who are against your success, you should be glad!
The reason is that this world is so big, with a population in excess of eight billion people. Those who are against you left everything else just to be against you; that shows you’re very important. So, get excited when you’re criticised by your adversaries. There’s something inspiring in what T.L. Osborn said several years ago; he said, “When you see a man with many or powerful or influential enemies, mark that man, for he’s going places.” How true!
You measure a person’s strength, worth or value, not by his friends, but by the power of his or her adversaries. You measure a person’s greatness or influence, by the number or power of his or her enemies. As long as you’re successful, your detractors will have you in focus. Once you’re no longer as radiant or as successful as they think, they wouldn’t care. But you don’t need to bother about them, because they don’t count. When they come out against you, they’ll stumble and fall, because the Lord is your salvation.
Never give undue considerations to satan, and the activities of wicked and unreasonable men that seek to bring you down. Understand this: your daily life is the fulfilment of that which has already been written in Psalm 27:1-2. Those who set themselves up to be your enemies, their fate is sealed: they’ll stumble and fall. Therefore, refuse to be distracted. Focus on what you’ve been called to do.
Go Deeper
Psalm 27:1-3; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Romans 8:35-37
Speak
God’s peace garrisons my heart and mind in Christ, irrespective of the adversaries and adversities around me. My heart is fixed on the Lord who is my rock and fortress, my protection, and salvation. Now and always, I walk in victory, and in the dominion of the Word, reigning by grace through righteousness. Hallelujah!
Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
John 13:1-30, 2 Kings 20-22
TWO YEAR
Mark 13:12-23, Numbers 30
Act
Meditate on what Prophet Isaiah said about the weapons of the enemy in Isaiah 54:17.