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TABLE OR FLOOR? Sunday 1 May

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye


MEMORIZE: “And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” (Matt. 15:27)

READ: Matthew 15:21-28

“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come” (Psalm 102:13).
One thing that can differentiate a person from another is the favour of God. It is common for those who are not favoured to envy those who are. For instance, Joseph became the envy of his elder brothers because he was specially loved and spoilt by their father (Gen. 37:4). It is the same with divine favour. However, God does not release His favour just for fun, but for a definite purpose. Therefore, you will discover from the study of Bible characters who have been beneficiaries of God’s favour, that there is a link between divine favour and destiny. In other words, God favours certain people because of where He wants them to get to, or what He wants them to achieve. Matthew 5:45 says every creature of God, irrespective of their faith, receives from God’s general blessings—air, life, works of nature, etc., but He has a special package for candidates of His favour. May you be considered for God’s favour this season in Jesus name.

According to today’s reading, deliverance is not for dogs—unbelievers—but for God’s children. At best, unbelievers can access the crumbs on God’s table of provision while the real meal is for His children. If you have not yet confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, you are stranger to the commonwealth of Israel like the Canaanite woman. You can only receive what falls from the table! The difference of course is favour. By virtue of being a child of God, you eat from the same table with the Lord, while the unbeliever eats from the floor. Where are you eating from – the table or floor? Apart from this favour that is common and accessible to all believers, there is uncommon favour that is accessible to only a few believers. For instance, Romans 9:15 says God’s mercy and compassion are specially reserved for those He has chosen to benefit from them. It’s not as if those who are not uncommonly favoured among His children cannot enjoy such blessings at all, but the uncommonly favoured enjoy these blessings at a higher level. This explains why David remained relevant in God’s plan in spite of his several slips and weakness. In addition to having a right heart like David, you too can be a candidate for divine favour. Avoid what God hates; love and serve Him with the right heart. Do only the things that are pleasing to Him; praise and worship Him.


KEY POINT
You set up yourself for divine favour by making your heart right with God.

Bible in One year: Luke 22-24

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