Your Turning Point
Tuesday, March 26
1 Kings 20:6-11 (NKJV)
"but I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants. And it shall be, that whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hands and take it.’ ” So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, “Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him.” And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” Therefore he said to the messengers of Ben-Hadad, “Tell my lord the king, ‘All that you sent for to your servant the first time I will do, but this thing I cannot do.’ ” And the messengers departed and brought back word to him. Then Ben-Hadad sent to him and said, “The gods do so to me, and more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria for a handful for each of the people who follow me.” So the king of Israel answered and said, “Tell him, ‘Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.’ ”
Devotion
Today’s scripture passage talks about bad news coming to a king regarding a takeover by the enemy. When he heard the message, instead of fighting back, he just accepted it and agreed to hand over his goods. But he consulted with the elders, who told him two things - ‘Do not listen and do not consent.’ That meant he still had ‘skin in the game’ – the outcome did not have to be as prescribed. The king’s turning point came when he decided not to accept the message and not to comply with the enemy’s demands.
Picture the king’s hands on his hips, wagging his head, as he responded to the enemy’s messengers: ‘In fact, don’t count yourself as the victor, because the battle hasn’t even started. You got a fight coming on.’
When a bad circumstance rears its ugly head and roars, God’s word reminds us that we still have a ‘say’ in the matter. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) We have been given a choice because Jesus finished the work on the cross: “Death is swallowed up in victory. ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?... But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55, 57)
The turnaround comes when you change your vision by siding with what Jesus has said. “… The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63). His words are powerful enough to change circumstances, to make the impossible possible. When God’s Word is alive in your mouth, you put your trust and focus back on Him. For it is He, who makes all things good.
Pastor Jentezen preached this Sunday, ‘Victory has a Voice’. Your voice matters to turn the tide from death unto life. Speak victory!
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the times in my life that the impossible became possible because You stepped in with Your mighty power. I am forever grateful to You for keeping Your hand upon my family and me, even when we didn’t realize You were doing so. Please forgive me for the times I suffered defeat just because I gave up rather than trusting You. Lord, I believe all things are possible with You, but am asking that You help my unbelief when circumstances are beyond my control. I surrender all to You and to Your will. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and recall times that you have suffered dire circumstances and didn’t see a way out, yet God came through for you. Spend time today in praise and worship, thanking God for His provision and comfort.
Resources:
- What you say in any situation matters, the same applies with what others say about you. Watch the message, “Right Voice, Right Choice”, and be encouraged to guard what you hear.
- Don’t keep the message of the gospel to yourself. Extend an invitation to someone for, Easter The Live Experience. Text "INVITE" to 510510 for resources to spread the word!