Topic: Blessed Assurance — Thursday December 7, 2017.
Text: Job 33:14-33
Key Verse: “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).
Afflictions and chastisements are definitely unpleasant to man and are often adjudged as coming from the enemy. This makes some undiscerning believers to pray amiss. Our passage today sheds clear light on the fact that afflictions and chastisements could also be instruments for correction from God. Patience, prayer and meditation on God’s words open man’s understanding to see God’s purpose and plan for every experience we may be passing through.
When passing through an adverse experience, we should first look inwards and examine ourselves. Then, let us “…hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it” (Micah 6:9). Afflictions and adversity are often God’s instrument of restraining man from pride, ungodly purposes and destruction. Preachers, counselors and ‘interpreters’ of the scriptures should faithfully point the afflicted to self-examination before recommending prayer of warfare against imaginary ‘enemies’ during adversity. God’s assurance of answer to the right type of prayer at the time of adversity is comforting. “He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness” (Job 33:26).
This is a kind and loving assurance from a Father who does not want anyone to perish but come to repentance. The afflicted is also assured of God’s great intervention after genuine prayer of repentance. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; he shall return to the days of his youth; he shall see God’s face with joy; God shall deliver his soul from going to hell; and his life shall see light (Job 33:25,26,28). Can anything be more desirable than these? What a great assurance!
Thought for the day: Praying God’s way attracts heaven’s attention.
Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 11-12
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.