CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Monday, July 10, 2023
TOPIC: BY COVENANT OR STRUGGLE?
MEMORISE
And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed" (Genesis 32:28).
READ:
Genesis 33:1-11
[1]. Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.
[2]. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.
[3]. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
[4]. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
[5]. And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
[6]. Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.
[7]. And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.
[8]. Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.”
[9]. But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
[10]. And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
[11]. Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.
EXPOSITION
Today's Living Water focuses on how to possess your possession. Covenant is based on what God promises and purposes to do for a man because of His unquestionable decision to do, or based on fulfilled terms and conditions. It is God's grace in action. God called Abram to leave his native land for an unknown place (Gen. 12:1ff). Abram unquestionably obeyed, despite not knowing what was ahead. Thus, Abraham entered God's covenant of prosperity, enlargement, victory and multiplication. All these blessings abound till date on both biological and spiritual descendants of Abraham, as long as they align with the Covenant-keeping God of Abraham. Rebecca, carrying two nations in her womb, was part of God's programme for the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant. Family politics however led to Jacob receiving the covenant in a wrong manner, and ended up being plunged into a life of struggle, unplanned polygamy and servitude! Such is the disaster of trying to cut corners, or seeking quick-fixes.
Esau too did not accept fate. He struggled to become a mighty man to the extent that He had with him 400 men (Gen. 33:1). What a feat! However, God's covenant which fell on Jacob made him to become blessed as Israel (32:28). Esau and Jacob both struggled and laboured hard, but God's covenant is not based on human manipulation. Although, keying into God's covenant surpasses all forms of struggle yet it is not of him that runs, but of God Who shows mercy (Eccl. 9:11; Rom. 9:16).
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB Var. 18
1. Standing on the promises of Christ thy King
Thro' eternal ages let His praises ring:
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God
Chorus:
Standing.. standing
(Standing on the promises) 2x
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour
Standing.. standing
(Standing on the promises) 2x
I'm standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail
By the living word of God I shall prevail
Standing on the promises of God
3. Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me
Standing on the liberty where Christ makes free
Standing on the promises of God
4. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord
Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord
Overcoming daily with the Spirits sword
Standing on the promises of God.4
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to live by Your covenant.
2. Father in heaven, deliver me from fruitless struggles, and crown my legitimate hustles with success.
3. Lord, let Your covenant for our great nation come pass.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Psalms 105:25-106:33
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
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