Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Daily Christian Devotion

Do not Defile Yourself

“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.”

Daniel 1:8 NLT

Daniel, a Hebrew boy, along with a few others, was brought into Babylon after Jerusalem was captured. These boys were stripped of everything familiar and introduced to new customs, food, culture, and people. They were just about fifteen years old the age when curiosity begins to stir. Yet, in that vulnerable stage of life, they chose to set themselves apart for God’s kingdom.

In spite of the appealing atmosphere and attractive surroundings, they still chose not to defile themselves. The king of Babylon had instructed his officials to handpick strong, smart, healthy young men who were full of wisdom and understanding, to serve in his palace. They were assigned a daily portion of rich food and wine from the king’s table. Among these chosen ones were Daniel and his three friends.

But when the king’s delicacies were offered, Daniel refused. Humbly and firmly, he denied himself the wine and food that would defile him and break his covenant with God. Instead, he requested permission to be given vegetables and water. At first, the official feared that if Daniel and his friends looked weaker than the others, the king would be furious. But Daniel pleaded to be tested for ten days.

After ten days, Daniel and his friends eating only vegetables and drinking only water looked healthier and stronger than all the others who ate the royal food. Seeing this, the official removed the king’s delicacies and gave them only vegetables and water from then on.

God blessed these four boys with wisdom, knowledge, and skill in literature. Daniel, in particular, was given the special ability to understand visions and dreams. They found favor in the eyes of God and before every authority. No one could compare to Daniel, who carried divine wisdom to reveal God’s plan through dreams and visions. Though he was taken captive, Daniel was exalted in the very land of his captivity and placed as a great official in Babylon. Instead of blending into the customs of a foreign land, Daniel chose to carry out God’s plan in his life.

God has also called us to be set apart from the world and its customs. He has placed a purpose in our hearts, and it is important that we do not defile ourselves. We must discern what influences us and what corrupts us. Daniel and his friends refused to be polluted by pagan practices, even at such a young age. Likewise, the defilement in our lives today may not come from food or wine but from the corruption of the body, mind, and soul.

It might be the movies you watch, the conversations you take part in, the people you spend time with, or the environments you allow yourself to stay in. Learn to say “no” for the sake of your soul. God is counting on you, for He wants to reveal the secrets of His kingdom to you. You might be the one to bring breakthrough in your family, in your workplace, or in your community.

The enemy seeks to defile us in ways that make us feel worthless in God’s kingdom. But remember our life here is short. We are instructed to honor God in all things. Do not trade your crown for temporary pleasures. Set yourself apart for God’s glory, and He will exalt you in due time.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, give me the strength and courage to set myself apart for You. Help me discern what defiles my spirit and give me the grace to say “no” to the things that pull me away from Your presence. Just as You gave Daniel and his friends wisdom and favor, grant me wisdom to walk in Your ways and boldness to stand firm in my faith. May my life reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Your Shame Will Be Rolled Away

Joshua 5:9 NLT

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.’ So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.”

God had spoken to His people through Moses that He would bring them out of slavery and that He would give them a land flowing with milk and honey, where they would increase, multiply, and be blessed so they could freely worship Him.

These people were oppressed for 400 years together with their ancestors, families, friends, toddlers, teens, and the rest of the younger generation. It must have taken radical courage to convince one another to move forward. On top of this, the mighty Egyptian army chasing and Red Sea in front of them was testing their faith over fear .

God had performed wonders and miracles to deliver them from suffering. Although God brought these people out of slavery and humiliation,living under a taskmaster and under the authority of the oppressor for many years had shaped the way they thought.

They breathed fear. They heard only words of discouragement. They saw only failures. They walked only in distress. They gossiped, talked, and laughed all under slavery—and about their slavery.

Their expectations for life were barely minimal, and the Promised Land seemed more dream than reality.

Along the way, whenever they faced a hiccup in the journey, they stopped, feared, and murmured. At times, they even longed to go back to Egypt rather than press forward into freedom.

Later, they were tried and tested in food, water, disease, war, and natural disasters. Recovery from oppression was not a short walk; it took forty years to see a breakthrough and taste victory. The wilderness became a place where unbelief cost many their lives, and only a few made it to the Promised Land.

Joshua, the current leader after Moses, was leading the people of God to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Crossing the Jordan was the final step before entering the land of promise. God told them to set up twelve stones as a testimony, a reminder that the slavery of Egypt was behind them. At this moment, the roles were reversed—the oppressed were now free, and their enemies around them were the ones trembling.

Here, God also commanded Joshua to circumcise all the males so that they could enter and enjoy the fullness of the Promised Land. And at this very place, God said to Joshua: “Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.” That place was called Gilgal.

The Word of God encourages us that He, too, will roll away the slavery of our lives. You may be tried and tested in your journey. Your path may be filled with fear and uncertainty. You may even want to hide from people to escape shame and mockery. Maybe you are recovering from trauma, struggling, and walking through a never-ending wilderness.But God is saying to you: There is a Gilgal for you.

This Word comes to you today with hope: God will lead you to your Gilgal—the place where the shame of your youth, the struggles of your past, and the fear of oppression will be rolled away. Moreover your Gilgal is the place where God restores dignity.

But just as the Israelites had to be circumcised in their flesh, we too must allow God to circumcise our hearts—to cut away unbelief, bitterness, and fear. When the heart is surrendered, the promise becomes clear.

So lift your head. The wilderness is not your home. Shame is not your identity. You are on your way to Gilgal—the place where shame is rolled away, and the future of God’s promise unfolds before you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God who rolls away shame. Just as You brought Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, bring me out of my wilderness seasons and into the place of freedom and promise. Lead me to my Gilgal, where the slavery of my past is gone forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

You Will Be Restored

Joel 2:25–26 (ESV)

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Locusts are among the most destructive pests in agriculture. They form massive mobile bands that migrate over long distances, consuming every bit of vegetation in their path. Increased rainfall produces more vegetation, which fuels their growth. As they multiply and crowd together, they shift into swarm behavior, taking on a different form with long wings, unlike their solitary state. These swarms bring large-scale devastation through mass migration and consumption.

In the same way, the consequences of sin are compared to the destruction of locusts. Sin feeds on our weaknesses and multiplies wherever there is potential growth or blessing. It swarms into areas of our lives and devours them. Turning away from God is also sin whether by worshiping family, jobs, self, or finances puts us in a vulnerable place where devastation can occur. Sin takes root, fills every corner, and leaves behind loss, emptiness, and destruction.

But the Bible calls us to repentance and reminds us that God is able to restore what was lost. He is merciful and sends healing and breakthrough into the very places that have been damaged. Only Jesus can repair what no human effort can fix. He does what seems impossible, reviving what seems beyond hope.

The years lost to heartache, pain, suffering, lack, bondage, and curses are not beyond God’s reach. His Word promises that He will restore those years. When you love God and surrender your situations to Him, you will see His restoration overflow with His goodness, love, and abundant blessings. Your latter days will be more glorious than your former ones. You will be bountiful and fully satisfied by His grace.

Let not the hopper, the destroyer, or the cutter overcome you anymore. The great hand of God is at work, and He will deal wondrously with you. Not a single trace of the damage will remain. Turn to Jesus, repent of your sins, worship the King, and you will never again be put to shame.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for Your promise of restoration. Heal the broken places in my life and restore what has been lost to sin, pain, and despair. Strengthen my faith to trust Your timing, and let my latter days be filled with Your goodness and abundance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Voice of The Blood of Jesus

“…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24 ESV

We are a generation that lived through a great pandemic. For many of us who did not even understand how the human body works, there was one word that echoed everywhere during those days—oxygen. Wherever we turned, all we saw was suffering, and all we heard was talk about oxygen levels, oxygen cylinders, and the desperate need for one gasp of breath.

Now we understand how essential oxygen is for breathing, and how the blood plays a crucial role in carrying it throughout the body. This means that the flow of blood is directly connected to the breath of life. Blood itself has life-giving power. Though it makes up only about 8% of our body, it must continually flow within us for us to live in health.

Not many people are willing to donate their blood, but the Bible speaks of a true Friend who gave not just a portion, but all of His blood for us.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 ESV

Friends hold a special place in our lives—especially for those of us who live far away from our home country. From weddings to funerals, friends stand with us and support us, becoming family for life. But the Bible tells us of a Friend unlike any other—Jesus Christ—who laid down His life for us.

At about 33 years old, this healthy man from Bethlehem willingly allowed Himself to be mocked, bruised, beaten, nailed, and crucified. He poured out all His blood—His very life—to fulfill God’s law. This extreme act of love was done so that we could be brought near to Him and secured with Him forever in eternity.

In Genesis 4:10–12, God confronted Cain after he killed his brother out of jealousy:

“The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”

The innocent blood of Abel cried out for judgment.But the blood of Jesus speaks something greater:

But the blood of Jesus speaks something greater:

“…and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24 ESV

The voice of Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance. The voice of Jesus’ blood cries out for forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation with the Father.

When His blood was shed, the temple veil was torn in two:

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”Matthew 27:51 ESV

The blood of Jesus cries out for our freedom from sin, and our deliverance from the power of darkness. It silences every accusation the enemy raises against us:

“…having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

The Israelites experienced the power of blood during the first Passover. God instructed them to apply the blood of a spotless lamb to the doorposts of their homes. When the angel of death passed through Egypt, every house covered by the blood was spared, while the firstborn of Egypt perished (Exodus 12:23).

Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb. When we remain under His blood covering, the enemy cannot touch our families, our health, our finances, or anything that belongs to us.

The blood of Jesus is our safe haven. Let the voice of His blood be louder in our lives than the voices of condemnation, vengeance, or suffering. His blood gives life—and life abundantly.

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony Revelation 12:11 ESV

The only weapon we can fully trust to overcome the enemy and defend ourselves is the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, let the voice of His blood speak louder than every voice of accusation, fear, or condemnation in our lives. Cover our families, our health, and everything that concerns us under the blood of the Lamb. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

God Will Intervene In The Great Betrayal

For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that He could bring disaster on Absalom!”

2 Samuel 17:14 NLT

Absalom, one of David’s sons, was on a mission to become the next king. He tried to overthrow David’s kingdom before his time and crown himself. To win people’s hearts, he began acting like the “kind ruler.” Every morning, he stood at the city gate to meet those who came for judgment. He would say, “It’s too bad there is no one to hear your case—if only I were judge in the land!” When people bowed before him, he refused their bow but instead took them by the hand and kissed them, pretending to care deeply. He continued this for four years until he stole the hearts of the people.

Absalom also deceived many of David’s counselors, including Ahithophel, David’s most trusted advisor, whose counsel was considered as if it came from God. But Ahithophel carried a long-standing bitterness toward David and used this chance to betray him by joining Absalom’s side.

When David realized his own son and his most trusted counselor had risen against him, he fled with a small group of soldiers, family members, bodyguards, and advisors, carrying the ark of the covenant with them. On the way, a loyal guest insisted on staying with David, vowing to remain with him in life or death.

David climbed the Mount of Olives weeping, barefoot, and covering his head in sorrow. When he heard that Ahithophel had sided with Absalom, he prayed: “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). He asked God to turn Ahithophel’s wisdom into foolishness.

God answered. Absalom, who normally followed only Ahithophel’s counsel, unusually sought a second opinion from Hushai, David’s loyal friend who had returned to Absalom pretending loyalty. Hushai gave advice that contradicted Ahithophel, and Absalom chose to follow instead. Hushai secretly warned David, giving him time to escape.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had been rejected, he went home and hanged himself. Later, Absalom too was killed in battle. If Absalom had followed Ahithophel’s original plan by sending 12,000 soldiers, David’s life would have been in grave danger. But God overruled the wisdom of man and turned it into foolishness.

We are reminded of Absaloms and Ahithophels in our own lives. It is very unfortunate that we live in a world where even our own friends, family, and trusted alliances can turn against us. The same people who spend time eating and drinking with us might have a hidden agenda. They might rise against us, gathering others to defeat us. We may even see them grow stronger and stronger while we grow weaker and weaker. Like David, we might be moaning and weeping over the great betrayal from our own.

The Bible teaches us to build an altar of worship in the time of crisis, just as David did on the Mount of Olives. How many may ever come against you, making plans to devour—be encouraged to know that we have a God in heaven, who sees our cry, feels our pain, and knows our wandering and weeping. The same God who turned the wise man Ahithophel’s advice against him will do the same for you.

The enemies hoped to overpower us, but God will make quite the opposite happen.

David patiently waited, hoping in God, and God kept him safe. In the same way, He will keep us in His safe haven and subdue our enemies in due time. Our very own can disown us, but God will send strangers to be on our side to strengthen us.

The Lord will turn Ahithophel’s advice of destruction into a memorable victory.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You are our refuge and our stronghold. Help us to trust in Your timing and Your plans, knowing that what was meant for our destruction, You can turn into a memorable victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Believe and Be Free

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. ‘Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,’ he said. ‘I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!’”

— Mark 9:25 NLT

One day, the Jewish leaders were arguing with the crowd. When they saw Jesus, they all ran up to Him and greeted Him. Jesus asked the crowd, “What is this argument about?” One man responded, saying that his son was possessed by a spirit that had made him mute since childhood. Whenever the spirit seized him, it tormented him physically, often throwing him into fire or water to destroy him. The father pleaded with Jesus to have compassion on them—“if you can.”

Jesus quickly replied, “Anything is possible if you believe.” The man cried out, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” Then Jesus rebuked the spirit that made the boy unable to hear and speak, commanding it to come out and never enter him again. The spirit screamed, threw the boy into another violent convulsion, and left him. Jesus then took the boy by the hand and helped him stand on his feet.

Earlier, the boy had been brought to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not cast out the demon. When they asked why, Jesus explained that certain kinds can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.

The Word of God encourages us that Jesus is here to cast out every spirit that has been tormenting us for a long time. The enemy works hard to keep us powerless by making us voiceless. He does not always appear in scary clothes with horns and sharp teeth—sometimes he comes dressed in designer clothes, looking beautiful /handsome, carrying a fancy job title, coming from a respected family, or even from our own family, appearing as a friend, a believer, or a neighbor.

The first thing the oppressor seeks to do is to silence us, preventing us from speaking out. When we are muted, he overpowers us and throws us under his control. He uses weapons like shame, fear, and loss to keep us silent—so he can keep causing chaos in our lives. When we go through this silent torment, unable to express ourselves, our bad attitudes and behaviors often surface as the overflow of our emotional suffering.

Many times, we cannot help ourselves. To others, we may simply become a topic of gossip, a matter to talk about. That is why our inner circle matters most. When we cannot believe for our own deliverance, like the father believing for his son, God places people around us to believe, pray, and plead on our behalf. The Bible also calls us to do the same—to stand in the gap and intercede for those who are helpless and voiceless.

The father only complained that his son was mute, but Jesus not only opened his mouth—He also opened his ears. This shows us that Jesus knew being deaf to the Word of God leads to losing the power to speak. Therefore, in His deliverance, He restores us completely—spirit, soul, and body.

So be alert, be vigilant, and stay rooted in fasting and prayer. The enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy—but the Good News is this: Jesus has come to give us life, and life in abundance (John 10:10). He loves us so much that He willingly gave up His Spirit so we could walk in freedom.

May the Lord open deaf ears to hear His voice and loosen mute tongues to speak. Even in times of exhaustion and humiliation, Jesus will hold your hand, lift you up, and help you stand on your feet again.

Believe in Him and accept the free gift of freedom. God will turn the story of your muteness into a lasting memory of deliverance.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the One who silences the enemy and opens our mouths to speak. Where we have been muted by fear, shame, or oppression, set us free today. Hold our hand, lift us up, and let our lives become a testimony of Your deliverance. In Your mighty name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Give It All To Him

8th Sep 2025

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

In a time of severe famine, when food and water were scarcely available, God still had a plan to feed His people. He instructed the prophet Elijah to go and live in the village of Zarephath, assuring him that a widow there would provide for him.

As Elijah entered the city gate, he saw a widow gathering sticks. He asked her for some water, and as she went to get it, he also asked for a piece of bread. The widow explained her desperate condition—she had only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. She was preparing a final meal for herself and her son, after which they expected to die.

Elijah told her, “Make a small loaf for me first, and then make some for yourself and your son. For the Lord says: The flour will not be used up, and the jar of oil will not run dry until He sends rain on the earth.” She obeyed, and as God promised, the flour and oil never ran out. They ate and were satisfied for many days.

It is striking that God chose this particular widow to sustain Elijah during famine. The Lord could have sent him to a wealthy home with plenty stored away, but instead He went to a house where there was no man to provide, no field to work, and nothing left for tomorrow. In those days, widows often survived only on the kindness of others. Yet God chose her home to reveal His power.

This widow believed she and her son would die after their last meal. Yet God asked her to give to a stranger from her very little. Humanly speaking, it sounds unreasonable—almost impossible. But when she obeyed, she discovered that her little became endless in the hands of God.

This shows us something powerful: God often selects people for blessing long before they realize it. He saw this woman in her hopelessness, her affliction, and her insecurity, and He set her apart for a miracle. The same is true for us. God may send someone into your life with a genuine need—or someone who tests your patience, time, and resources—so that through the stretching, His goodness and provision are unveiled.

What Elijah asked of the widow may have sounded ruthless, but it was the doorway to her breakthrough. Not everyone who enters your life comes with bad intentions. Some are sent by God so that through the pressing and the breaking, you will begin to produce fresh oil. We are handpicked, tested, and tried so that we may be made complete in Him.

This widow, in her darkest moment, chose to believe the promise of God. She obeyed and gave her last portion, and in return, she saw an overflowing blessing. God delights in blessing those who surrender everything to Him. He asked for her “nothing” so He could give her “more than enough.”

Give to God—even the least you have—and you will see His faithfulness take its full course in your life.

As promised, you will lack nothing:

1 Kings 17:14 (ESV)

“‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that even in seasons of famine, You are the God of abundance. Strengthen our faith to give, to serve, and to trust You fully, so that we may see Your overflowing provision and goodness in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Be available with your Little Strength

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

Gideon, came from the smallest tribe, Manasseh, and he was the youngest in his family. During his day, the people of Israel were overpowered by the Midianites. They made dens in the mountains and caves to escape from their enemies. The Midianites came after the Israelites’ crops and livestock. They were numerous in number and left Israel with only a few things to take back home. God allowed this because of their unfaithfulness and sin. Yet when they cried out to God for help, He sent a promising word to deliver His people.

One day Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide from the enemy. The angel of the Lord met this lowly person and called him, “Mighty man of valor. The Lord is with you.”

This man Gideon lived much of his life with disappointment and inadequacy. When the angel called him a warrior, it was contradictory to what people used to call him. His very name, Gideon, means “woodcutter.” He could not believe what the angel had spoken over him. In those ancient days, the youngest were considered least in authority and inheritance rights. It is natural for anyone to be in disbelief, considering where they came from and what they were capable of doing. The equation did not make sense when the angel called him a warrior.

But God overruled Gideon’s doubts and confirmed his calling. Judges 6 records powerful incidents where God Himself answered Gideon’s requests for confirmation. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and the people with him as they encamped against the Midianites.

Gideon brought 35,000 soldiers to fight, but God told him to reduce the number. God knew that if Israel won with such a large army, they would boast in their own strength. So Gideon sent home the fearful, cutting the number to 22,000. Still, that was too many. God gave Gideon a selection process until only 300 men remained.

This weakest clan, with the least mighty man—Gideon—was now ready to face a vast army. God said, “You are good to go. I have given this mighty army into your feeble hands.”

That night, God told Gideon to rise and go down to the enemy camp. Along with Purah, Gideon approached and overheard two Midianite soldiers sharing a dream and its interpretation: Israel would defeat them. Strengthened by this word, Gideon worshiped.

With his small force, Gideon advanced and surrounded the enemy from three sides. During the change of guard, they broke jars, lifted torches, and blew trumpets. The camp was thrown into confusion. The Midianites turned their swords against one another and fled in terror. Gideon and his men pursued them and defeated them, along the very route the Midianites once used to torment Israel.

The Word of God brings encouragement today: God can use you regardless of who you are or where you come from. He calls you a warrior. People may label you with names that make you feel inferior, but I encourage you to overhear only what God says—you are valiant.

It is okay to doubt. It is okay to feel weak. God will send you a word to strengthen you. He is not asking, “Can you do it?” He is saying, “I am sending you.” Your weakness doesn’t matter, because God Himself will be your defense and fortress. The question is, are you ready to be used by Him?

When you make yourself available, God will show up for you. With the little strength, the little talent, and even the little faith you have, He will use you to chase a vast army. As you step forward into His calling, He will send confusion into the enemy’s camp and clear your path so you can continue His work.

Your beginning may look humble, like a woodcutter, but your ending will be that of a victorious warrior. Start with the little strength you have—for isn’t it God who is sending you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for reminding me through Gideon’s story that You see me not as I am, but as who You have called me to be. I choose today to make myself available for Your calling. Use me, Lord, even with my little strength, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Lord Will Fight For Your Beracah

“But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

— 2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT

King Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of Judah, walked upright before the eyes of the Lord. He loved the Lord and followed His commandments and also brought reformation in the land of Judah that placed God under his leadership. There was peace and justice in the land of Judah.

The military power was very strong, and he had many soldiers to fight, and he stationed them around the country of Judah. God was with him and the people of Judah, and this brought fear around the neighboring kingdoms. The enemies of Judah formed their alliance to bring down and capture the land. When the messenger informed Jehoshaphat about their plan, he was afraid.

A very successful king, with strong military force and positions effectively guarding his nation, was afraid of the message about enemies approaching. When fear crept in, the first thing the king did was send out an invitation for fasting to seek the face of the Lord. When the invitation was sent, people all over the cities of Judah came along with their wives and children, fasting and praying.

King Jehoshaphat, a leader who was adored and looked upon as a mighty man, stood humbly before God in front of the assembly for help. He prayed that when disasters, sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine came upon the land, the house of Judah would stand in the house of the Lord and cry in their affliction, for they knew that He would hear and save.

He revisited what God did for the ancestors and boldly declared that He would do it again for them. The strongest military people with the king admitted that they were powerless before these alliances, and that only God alone could give victory.

God sent a word after these people humbled themselves before Him. He said not to be afraid of this great alliance and told them they would not need to fight the battle: stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord.

God did not ask the army to go back to their houses just because He assured that the battle belonged to the Lord. Rather, He commanded the army to go out to the battlefield and they would see the hand of God.

When the word came, Jehoshaphat was encouraged. He bowed his head, and all the people bowed and worshiped, followed by a loud voice of praise. When the day of battle came, the soldiers of Judah arose early in the morning, and the worshippers went before the army in holy attire, thanking and praising God for His steadfast love.

The three alliances—the Moabites, Ammonites, and Mount Seir—invaded Judah by climbing up 3,400 feet from the Dead Sea to the wilderness of Tekoa. The Bible says that when Judah began to sing and praise, God set an ambush against these people, and they killed each other.

Meanwhile, the people of Judah were marching towards the wilderness of Tekoa. When they arrived, they saw only corpses and dead bodies in great number. The battle was already defeated because God was involved.

The story ends like this: they came for a battle, but they carried back blessings—good clothing and precious things. They even left some behind because they had more than enough to carry home. The army of God came back with shouts of joy, noise of victory, with happiness and instruments. The place is even now called the Valley of Beraca, which means the Valley of Blessing. The surrounding kingdoms were even more fearful of the land of Judah.

The Word of God brings encouragement today that the battle belongs to God. Like Jehoshaphat, what are we afraid of? We might be mighty people with power and possessions, but when messages like this come with fear, we lose our ground and yield to fear.

Our first defeat is when we yield to fear. When fear finds a place in our lives, there is no way we can think of overcoming the situation. Our minds are already defeated before even facing the actual battle. We only find solutions to handle the defeat and cope with failure. Success will not even cross our minds, and planning for victory will not even be part of our strategy.

But King Jehoshaphat understood that this fear was mightier than the actual army coming after him. He didn’t even have to be worried because he had a strong military force and positions around his country, and yet the enemy’s message shook the ground with fear.

One person bringing one negative word is enough to break us. King Jehoshaphat was no exception from fear. Instead of yielding to it, he dealt with it, not alone, but with a company of people.

We need more than one person to defeat this fear. It emphasizes the importance of being with people of faith to acknowledge and agree with the promises of God. The story tells us the importance of seeking God’s face in the time of crisis, irrespective of how powerful, mighty, and intelligent we are.

Like Jehoshaphat, let us go low before God and surrender to Him, acknowledging that we are powerless to handle situations alone, and that He is a faithful God—yesterday, today, and forever. When we put our confidence in God, we will deal with the situation like yet another battle, and of course, yet another victory.

Let us face our battle with praise and worship. We might walk towards the wilderness, but that is where our victory is. With our own eyes we will see the problem already dealt with, the situations already handled, and the enemy already defeated.

We might have walked in looking for a battle, but God will change our situation so that we will only carry His blessings back. Only God can make shouts of praise roar in the battleground.

May our valley of wilderness become our Valley of Beracah (blessing).

Prayer

Heavenly Father,Thank You for reminding us that the battle is not ours but Yours. We surrender our fears to You and trust that You will fight for us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

A Hot Water Bottle Prayer

Isaiah 65:24

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers.”

Helen Roseveare was a British doctor who gave her life to Jesus while studying medicine in college. She was part of a Bible study and involved in evangelical activities. After completing her master’s degree, she felt called to become a medical missionary and went to the Congo.

She served in many parts of Zaire, now the republic of Congo, helping build hospitals from the ground up. Along the way, she endured terrible suffering—beaten, raped, and imprisoned—but she was determined to fulfill her vision of establishing a fully constructed and functional medical school and hospital. She trained others faithfully until 1973, when she left behind a thriving medical center. Today, the rebuilt medical center continues to be a lifeline for healthcare. Her life of service, forgiveness, and faithfulness was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. She went to be with the Lord at the age of 91.

I’d like to recall one of her remarkable stories about faith, prayer, and the power of God.

While serving as a medical missionary in Central Africa, Helen faced a heartbreaking situation. A single mother died shortly after prematurely delivering a baby girl, leaving behind a two-year-old sister. The newborn struggled to keep her body temperature up. Helen wrapped the baby in cotton wool but feared she would not survive the cold night.

She called the children in the orphanage to pray for the needs of the Orphanage and also for a hot water bottle. Among them, a ten-year-old girl named Ruth prayed boldly:

“Please, God, send us a hot water bottle this afternoon. The baby won’t survive till tomorrow without it. And would You also send a doll for her sister, so she knows You love her?”

Helen was deeply moved by the child’s faith. It seemed impossible—after all, they lived in the middle of the jungle where no package had ever been delivered. But to her surprise, a few hours later, she received word that a parcel had been dropped off at the front door by a car.

Inside the 22-pound package were medical supplies, clothes, food—and miraculously, a hot water bottle. The children rejoiced. Little Ruth exclaimed, “If God sent a hot water bottle, there must be a doll too!” She dug through the box and found a beautiful doll.

Later, Helen discovered that the package had been sent months earlier by a group of Christians in England. While packing, they had felt an unusual prompting from God to include a hot water bottle and a doll. Their obedience became the exact answer to a little girl’s prayer in the heart of Africa. That orphanage erupted with joy as the children witnessed God’s power to answer prayer.

This story reminds us that God not only answers prayer, but He also cares.

The Word of God encourages us to pray in all circumstances. Prayer is the love language between you and God. It is like a radio frequency—always available, always tuned in when you choose to connect.

The Bible teaches us to ask God the Father, through God the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit. When you do, the windows of heaven open. Asking in faith aligns you with His promises. Yes, God knows the desires of your heart—but He also commands us to ask and believe.

This same God, sovereign over everything and everyone, bends down to listen. He calls you His friend. That’s why I encourage you today: invite Jesus into your impossible situations through prayer.

Even if you don’t feel like praying—pray.

Even if you’re too tired—pray.

Even if you’ve lost faith—pray.

Even if you’re angry at God—pray.

Even if you keep failing—pray.

Even if you don’t believe He will answer—pray.

As you pray without ceasing, God will find His way into your life. You will begin to surrender, to wait on Him, to believe again, and you will begin to walk by faith and not by sight.

Prayer may not always change things the way you expect, but it will always bring peace. And remember—Your Father is the King, and you are His child and there is no protocol required to talk to your Daddy.

So what are you waiting for? Claim your birthright. Claim your inheritance.

Try Him in prayer. Try Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for the gift of prayer. Even when we struggle to pray or don’t know what to say, give us the grace to seek You. Teach us to trust, to believe, and to find joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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