DCLM Higher Everyday 15 April 2023 — Strength for life’s battle
DCLM Higher Everyday 15 April 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Strength for life’s battle
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TOPIC: Strength For Life’s Battles.
Text — Zechariah 4:1-10
2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
3And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
4So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Key Verse: ‘’Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, this is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts’’ (Zechariah 4:6).
Message
Battle implies struggle, fight, conflict, or contest which demands strategies and strength. In games like football, contestants strive to win without harming their opponents. There are also physical battles that aim to destroy lives as pictured by prophet Isaiah, “For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood’’ (Isaiah 9:5). Spiritual battles are fought through prayers of faith.
Our text today addresses contending forces frustrating successes in life’s endeavors. Judah had a building project in Jerusalem that lingered. God sent Prophet Zechariah to Governor Zerubbabel to stir up his faith and hope in God. In life, there are many seemingly impossible situations that confront youths.
It may be finance, health, school admission, or family issues. God has the power to resolve all and He is also saying to you, “Not by might, nor by power but by my spirit.’’ Hold on to that promise, your victory is at hand. What you have started you will also finish well. Nothing can truncate your goals in life as you take God at His word.
Quote: God has power to resolve all
Challenge: When the going gets tough never quit the battle.
Prayer for today: Give me your Spirit, Lord, to move all mountains before me.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
