Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 April 2024 (Wednesday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: FREED AT LAST!
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that you sanctify my spirit, soul and body as I read your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 48:12-22
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q4: Is there any promise for me to believe or hope for?
* Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 APRIL 2024 OUTLINE
Notice the name with which God identifies Himself: “I am He; I am the first and the last” (v.12). The God Christians serve is the Creator and the Controller of history. He knows the end from the beginning! The people of Israel are God’s called; called according to His purpose, called by Him out of Egypt (see Hosea 11:1) and now out of Babylon; a people whom with a distinguishing favour, He calls by name. God used Cyrus to bring deliverance to Israel. In what way was Cyrus the Lord’s chosen ally? The God who made the world can do anything (v.13).
In wherever circumstance we find ourselves, we are assured that God will cause His purpose for us to come to fruition. Note also that, having infinite knowledge, He has almighty power to effect whatever He has foretold. No idol has such foresight (v.14). God by His prophets had declared long before now His people’s captivity and the destruction of Jerusalem. And now, He gave them notice of their release (v.15).
In what ways is Cyrus’ deliverance of the Jews from Babylon like the deliverance from sin that Jesus has won for believers? How did you first respond to the news that, because of what Jesus has done, you are free from enslavement to sin (see Romans 8:1-3)?
Practice/Word Application
Reflection: Read v.21 and compare with 1 Corinthians 10:4. In your life, is the water of the Spirit gushing, trickling or turned off?
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Turn John 7:37-38 into your personal prayer.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Jeremiah 33:6
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 108 – Psalms 17, 35, 54, 63
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN APRIL 17, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
TEACHABLE SPIRIT
Whoever loves knowledge, but hates reproof is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1
THANK GOD FOR:
* Placing spiritual elders and faithful fathers and mothers who watch over our lives
PRAY FOR:
* Humility to listen and learn from our past mistakes instead of continuing in them
* Humility of heart to yield to correction, reproof and all trainings that will increase us in righteousness
PRAY AGAINST:
* Pride, worldly wisdom and unteachable spirit especially among our youths