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ROCK OF OFFENCE Thursday 27 October


Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom. 9:33).

READ: Isaiah 8:13-17

Apart from being called the Rock of our strength and Rock of our salvation, our Lord Jesus is also called the Rock of offence. Romans 9:33 says, “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”. The implication of Christ being the Rock of offence should call for sober reflections. First, as a Rock of offence, He is a stumbling-block—a hindrance or setback to some people. This is frightening! Believers who fail to follow the Lord with all their hearts, or who take Him for granted and continue to violate His laws, will soon see that the Rock that should protect them, will begin to cause them to fall. In Isaiah 8:13-17, because the children of Israel refused to fear and obey God, He became a stumbling stone and a Rock of offence to them. He hid His face from them and many stumbled, fell and were broken. Some believers today are encountering difficulties not caused by the devil but by the Rock of offence. One way to know if your challenges are as a result of annoying the Rock of offence is if your challenges defy prayer and fasting. Also God’s face will be turned away from you. It is like no matter what you do, you cannot hear his voice. If this is your situation, go to God in repentance. Trace the cause of the stalemate and obey God in all pending issues.

Another implication of Jesus Christ as the Rock of offence is that He will be your stability, and make sure that no matter the boisterous wind, fire, storm or flood you go through, you will not be moved. Whatever happens, the Rock of offence is there to absorb your shame. What are your enemies planning against you? Fear not! You shall not be ashamed because the Rock of offence is there to absorb the shame projected against you. It also means that those who are fighting against you will soon realize they are fighting against the Rock of offence. They will lose their legs. Hence, Jesus told Saul, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’ (Acts 9:5). He did not want that to happen, so he too became a convert. In the name of Jesus, all your persecutors will become your converts.

PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, be my Rock of offence and bring stability into my life.
 
Bible in One year: Jer. 45-48

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