Open Heavens Devotional: IDOLS FRUSTRATE EXPECTATIONS – Monday, August 27, 2012

By Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Memorise: The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Proverbs 10:28

Read: Isaiah 44:10-18

Before you receive a prophetic declaration, check out the fruit of the vessel-the prophet, pastor, or servant of God, whether the fellow is still in league with God. Some people say, “thus says the Lord,” but the Lord did not say anything to them. Some of them heard from themselves and spoke. Be careful of what you accept as being from God. In Jeremiah 28:1-4, Hananiah a prophet prophesied that in two years God was going to set Israel free from the yoke of the king of Babylon, but it was all a lie! Imagine the joy of the people when they heard that. But after two years, and the prophecy did not come to pass, all the expectations of the people failed. Instead of two years, they spent 70 years. In others, the prophetic lies of prophets cannot change what God want to do or alter its timing. Stick with genuine men of God and particularly the Word of God i.e. the Bible.

Apart from lies, expectations that are based on the support of an idol, another power or spirit will definitely be disappointed. Sincere idol worshippers and cultists know that there are severe manipulations and falsehood regarding the predictions of their idols or deities. They also know that promises of fame, power and wealth made to them are actually in return for long life, health, the lives of their loved ones, etc. being taken from them. Satan does not offer any free gift but at the time of the offer, he will make everything appear as if it’s free. The recipient of such offers would have been trapped before there is a realisation of what the devil would have in return (Isaiah 40:19-20, 24). The expectations of the wicked including idol worshippers shall fail (Proverbs 10:28). This involves confidence in local deities, charms, amulets, magic rings, love portions, anything and anyone you love to a point of taking the place of God in your heart. According to Psalms 92:7 and Isaiah 45:16, idol worshippers with their hopes shall be disappointed because they want to share what God cannot share with anyone- His glory. The prophets of Baal who contested with Elijah on Mount Carmel were disappointed and lost their lives (1 Kings 18:17-40). Are you using evil power or contesting with a bona fide child of God? Your expectations shall fail and you may even lose your life. Repent today, and apologise to the child of God you are fighting before the Lord faces you.

ACTION POINT:

Make this confession: Every idol taking God’s place in my heart, I tear you down and enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ at the centre of my life.

 

Bible in one year: Obadiah 1, Jonah 1-4

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