Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Sunday August 13, 2023 TOPIC: THE MERCY THAT OPENS SHUT GATE

 

Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria 

Grace for Living Devotional 

Sunday August 13, 2023

TOPIC: THE MERCY THAT OPENS SHUT GATE

BIBLE READING:

LAMENTATION 3:21-26

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.  

KEY VERSE:

"Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!" When the Lord bring back the captivity of His people. Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad." Psalm 14:7  

MEDITATION:

Mercy is compassion and kindness shown to someone who justly deserves to be punished, but let go due to the benevolence of the person in whose power it lies to punish the offender. Mercy is a 'siamese twin' to grace – outpouring of favour and blessings neither deserved nor asked for. Every believer is a product of mercy and grace!  

There are biblical and contemporary examples of situations that looked like standing behind a closed massive gate in the night, which sometimes may be as a result of judgement for disobedience to God's command and counsel. At other times one may be unable to tell the reason one is behind a shut gate and delayed waiting. It could also be that God had permitted the situation for a higher good in His providence.  

According to today's bible reading, whenever one is in any of the situations, one must remember that God is good, merciful and compassionate. Only just seek, hope and quietly wait for His salvation. He is a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). He sees and understands our pains. Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7, 8). God has promised to bring back our captivity; only just knock, the shut gate shall be opened.  

Do you still think that the Lord is good in that trying situation you have found yourself?  

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Let every shut gate against me be opened today in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

PSALMS 25-29, ROMANS 7