Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck,
shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Prov. 29:1)
READ: Matthew 11:28-30
God has several tones of speaking depending on several
factors. First, He could plead with an individual or nation. In Ezekiel 18:31-32,
God asks: ‘Sinners, why will you die?’ Here, He is begging sinners to repent.
Are you still living in sin? The Lord is begging you to quit today. In Proverbs
1:22, He asks: How long will you simple ones love simplicity? In other words,
how long will you stupid fellows continue in stupidity? Secondly, He could
advice. For instance, in Deuteronomy 30:19, He gives a piece of advice for you
to choose life and live, out of two options. He is the best person to give you
advice because He is the Wonderful Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6). Have you accepted
His advice? Going by Matthew 11:28-30, another tone of God could be invitational.
He invites you to come and reason with Him (Isaiah 1:18). The day you will heed
his invitation and take your burdens to the Lord, you will become a free person.
Are you still carrying your load of care all by your limited strength or
resources?
God’s tone could also come in form of an encouragement. In
Isaiah 1:19, He tries to motivate you to be willing and obedient so that you
can access the best planet earth has to offer you. Similarly, in Proverbs 1:23,
God encourages you to take correction so that He can release His Spirit upon
you, and reveal His Word to you. Are you ready to be corrected? In addition,
another mood of God’s voice could be a warning. God likes to warn people before
judging them. In Isaiah 1:20, He warns that destruction awaits those who reject
His Word. Similarly, in Proverbs 29:1, He warns that continuous stubbornness
can attract irredeemable destruction. Has God been warning you of certain sins
yet, you continue? Repent today before your time of grace runs out! Moreover,
when God has warned but the fellow continues to pay deaf ears, then God can use
a declarative tone according to Proverbs 1:24-31. Also, in Hosea 4:17, God said
Ephraim should be left alone with his idols. May God not leave you to your self
will! In Hosea 5:9, God said Ephraim shall be desolate. This was no longer a
warning but a declaration. God can also speak with a tone of command. In
Genesis 1:3, He commanded that there should be light. In Matthew 28:19, God commands
that believers should go and preach the Gospel. Have you obeyed His command?
KEY POINT:
When you hear His voice, determine the direction of His tone
and comply immediately.
Bible in One year: Ezek. 8-11
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