MORNING WINGS MINISTRY

Friday, 17 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 17/01/2025

FRIDAY - 17TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

IT IS FOR THE PRAISE OF GOD - Fitted For A Manner Of Life Series 004

Matthew 19:12, KJV

"For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

Do you remember Jesus' reply to the suggestive questions of Jesus' disciples? They asked, "who sinned - this man or the parents that he was born blind?" But Jesus nullified both and said what happened to him was allowed so that the works of God can be made manifest in him. That is, heaven was waiting for a slated day to heal this man so that praise, glory and adoration might be brought again to God and so that all eyes might see that it is true that there's a Creator somewhere who created all of us and the universe at large.

Yesterday, that was what God did. He returned to the beginning, made clay of the spittle and gave eyes to he who needed it. Yes, all for His glory. So that when people ask, "who did this?" We might say, "Jesus!" Therefore, bringing God and the kingdom glory. In extension and in like manner, he brought diverse healing to people irrespective of their deformities, sicknesses or diseases.

Solution two however is this. God wants us to still praise him in our infirmities. Irrespective of what we are besseted or afflicted with, He wants us to serve Him in them - when it is convenient and when it is not. Do you remember Paul? He sought the Lord over the messenger of the devil that was in his body to humble him. He wanted it to be removed but he just had to live with it. He said, "three times have I sought the Lord to take it away."

II Corinthians 12:7-9, KJV

"7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I don't know how many times you have sought the Lord or medical help to rectify something that refused to yield. But you might need to open your understanding to see why it is allowed. For Paul, it was allowed to keep him humble. God doesn't want him to boast in the flesh and so allowed a thing to humble him and make him see his humanity and how earthen and earthly he still is though God is using him mightily and supernaturally.

Further more, since we are to be sold to Him, we ought not worry of life or death again. Paul says in Philippians 1:21, "for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." It means if you're still living even in your deficiency, let God be praised. Continue to do acts that'll make men see your light and give glory to your Father who's in heaven. Continue to bring praise and glory to Him even in your weakness, tribulation, infirmity or suffering.

We all know Pastor Nick. He was born with a chronic syndrome that didn't afford him limbs. Though in that challenging situation, I tell you that his faith still sings hallelujah. He discovers his purpose and calling in life and he's living it. He's living for purpose so much that his deficiencies are not even seen or loud or raised as anthem of deficiency again. He's even married with children!

Do you know the mistake that many with deficiencies are making? They refuse to praise God even in their deficiency. Don't you know if you're lost in God and in purpose despite your deficiency, you'll be seen as better off, proclaimed and rewarded. People will wonder, "look at him, he is born blind but he's a world renown musician!"

You have the choice to either fold your arms and die purposelessly and uncelebrated or you rise above your deficiency in purpose and let God's aroma to this loving world be tasted through you. Many people have served God in thirst, hunger, war, pestilence, loss of all and family and even till death. So, are you any special? Should your being an eunuch from your mother's womb or by any accident stop you from bringing glory to God? Don't forget this Bible verse. It's for your sake it is written.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who's in heaven" (Matt.5:16).

It means if you don't successfully arise or let your light shine, men would have nothing to see and nothing to thank and praise God for. Let your testimony be, "despite the infirmities, look at how far he has ploughed." Before the carcass of your spirit (body) drops, may you live with this understanding in view. Yes, in view!

PRAYER: Lord, may I not live as a horse or a mule without understanding. May I live for purpose and express your writings in me to the world.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 12:22-50 & Genesis 40-41

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 16/01/2025

THURSDAY - 16TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE MAN WHO CONFUSED ALL OF US - Fitted For A Manner Of Life Series 003

John 9:1-3, KJV

"1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

This popular story is lesson-packed for us. I called that man, "the man who confused all of us!" Do you know why? His case confused the disciples and when we hear or see such cases today, we still are lost, left wondering, doubtful and searching for answers. Many times, what we guessed happened is not always what happened. So, we do miss it.

He's a man born blind. To the disciples, it is either his parents had sinned for him to have been born blind. Anyway, they asked Jesus, "who sinned? This man or his parents that he was born blind? This is how we all trace some anomalies to sin. We'll tell ourselves, "I hope that brother or sister didn't sin." However, this case is an exception. It was overruled. What the disciples were probably pining to hear never came. They would have wanted a decisive answer - like Jesus saying, "yes, it was the parents that sinned!" That's why they gave him those two options and if we thought critically, we'll see that out of those two options, only one was very valid and that one only points to the parents having sinned as suggested by Jesus' disciples.

Jesus replies, "it was not that this man sinned or his parents did, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Now, listen up! When I started this series and stumbled on eunuchs born so from their mother's womb, Satan attacked me with doubts that it wasn't possible for anyone to be born so. I don't mean "created so" but rather "born so." All that God created is good but something might have gone off the handle. If it is correct that there's no eunuch born so, it means Jesus lied and the Bible is erroneous or untrustworthy. However, the Holy Spirit quickened the story of this man to me and it became an answer to wade off that thought and affirm the belief that indeed there are those born as eunuchs - either without or partially with sexual organs or less formed ones or with certain abnormalities that disqualified them. It might even be anything beyond my description in this teaching or my own knowledge but which truly exists or had happened. Just like this man was born blind - of his mother born blind, we can have eunuchs born so due to certain deformations also.

Now, why does the story of this man fit? Now apart from the fact that he was born blind, there's one crazy and surprising thing about him. He didn't even have eyes at all. There were no eye sockets let alone eyes in them that we could then describe or call blind. All the blind men I have seen in my lifetime do have eyes, only that something might have gone wrong with the balls or their visuals. However, this one only had skin covering that part where eyes should be. That's wondrous! Isn't it! No hole whatsoever let alone a thing being fixed there. So, there was not even a testimony of "try to open your eyes once in his life because he has been in darkness all his days." Where his eyes should be situated is like a plastered wall across a window or a thin layer covering every place. No spot for eyes could be located. It has not been created whatsoever. Heavenly bricklayer and moulder didn't make that there or it was an anomaly at birth. Just like bricklayers do create a space for windows when houses are built, contrarily, this man's body had no window holes at all!

That explains the kind of miracle Jesus did on him. It is not a coincidence that Jesus says, "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). Though not to be taken literally but it does explain that Jesus is about giving light of the body (eyes) to someone. Jesus therefore spits on the ground, made mud with His saliva and anointed the man's eyes with it (remember the creation story and how God formed man of the dust of the ground in Gen). Then, "go, wash in the pool of Siloam" was the next command. What results are the eye sockets, eyes and whatsoever components make up the human eyes. It was a creative miracle. Something that was not there got created.

This is the first hope of anyone born a eunuch. If they say, "the place is close or didn't form properly", alright. I know someone who gave complete sound eyes to someone that didn't have it before. What about that? Take your miracle in Jesus' name! Is any part missing in your body? Is any organ damaged or problematic? Receive a replacement. Let God's creative miracle be worked on you. Are you impotent or having low sperm count or unhealthy sperm cells? Receive healing in Jesus' name!

This is the first hope of eunuchs born so of women. God has spare parts for every parts of our bodies. What is deficient can be made whole! It can be stretched, enlarged or enabled. Look, irrespective of what the condition is which resulted into being an eunuch born of a woman, God got it under control. I pronounce, let it come under control. So shall it be in Jesus' name.

Now, of the two remedies and comfort I said God would provide, we've only seen one. Let's see the other in the next series.

PRAYER: I am agile, strong, healthy, active as a man. Even as a woman, any part of me that has been deactivated or is unhealthy, I call for a healthy reset.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 12:1-21 & Genesis 38-39

Wednesday, 15 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 15/01/2025

WEDNESDAY - 15TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

FIRST OF THE THREE CELIBATES - Fitted For A Manner Of Life Series 002

Matthew 19:11, KJV

"11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

A matter that is scattered and fearful began to be raised yesterday. We began to examine "those who can receive that saying to avoid marriage or remain as celibates." After Jesus' reply to His disciples who said, "it is better that a man does not marry but remain single or a celibate for life", Jesus didn't stop there. He digs further to help them and us understand what he meant by, "except those to whom it is given." Jesus proceeds to list "those to whom it is given." They are as follows.

a. Eunuchs so born from their mother's womb.

b. Eunuchs made eunuchs by men.

c. Eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake.

These are the three "called types" that Jesus refers to as being able to receive the saying of remaining single or celibate.

Of all these three categories, the one that is unbelievable to you and which looks like a myth or miracle is probably those who are born eunuchs from their mother's womb. To understand this better, we might need to explain who a eunuch is. For better comprehension, we'll need all the definitions on the term "eunuch" that's out there. From Chambers English Dictionary (10th Edition), we have the following.

"A castrated man, especially one in charge of a harem or a high voiced singer; an ineffectual person, lacking in some way in force or power."

For the establishment of more truths, I'll extend to surrounding words formed from "eunuch" from the same dictionary.

a. Eunuchism: the condition of being a eunuch.

b. Eunuchoidism: a condition in which there is some deficiency of sexual development and in which certain female sex characteristics, eg high voice, are often present.

Also, let's check the Bible. Deuteronomy 23:1 talks of males with crushed testicles or chopped off male organ. Isaiah 56:3 talks of the eunuch who says, "behold, I am a dry tree" - that is infertile and unable to reproduce. Also, according to the Romans, eunuchs are classified into three types.

a. Spadones - infertile males from birth.

b. Thlibiae - males whose testicles had been "pressed" or Thladioe - males whose testicles had been "crushed."

Note: Pressed and crushed are very similar.

c. Castrati - males whose unit was cut off or lost altogether.

On general basis, it might also mean, "those who lack sexual desire or the ability to have sex. They may be the castrated, deformed or impotent. Going by all these meanings and definitions, we can reach an agreement that eunuchs are sexually males though their societies in which they existed or exist (if there are any today) might see them as "unmanly man" because they cannot reproduce or father.

These meanings would lead us into the understanding we need. I am not a medical practitioner (the type that works in the hospital). However, if you do ask them, they'll tell you that there are those born eunuchs. That condition where there's deficiency in sexual development in some might make some so. That's what Jesus refers to as "eunuchs born so from their mother's womb." Something might have gone wrong and due to that, an abnormality results (a rare disorder it'll be I believe) which therefore produces one without properly formed (sexual) organs. I'm believing that's how it should be or something closely related to that.

Now, these people are born so and by being born so are made to live so as eunuchs. I told you in series one that they didn't choose that lot themselves. They more likely would want to escape that fate. It makes them estranged to normal and healthy people. I wonder if they'll fully find acceptance in the company of all men. They'll be discriminated, mocked and rejected of people. They might see beauty or handsomeness but they are just not well capacitated to satiate it. For this reason, they'll endure and remain as eunuchs. They are those born from their mother's womb this way.

I pray for you. May your baby form well. May that pregnancy in you develop all necessary parts without any anomaly. You'll give birth to a proper child. Moses is described as a "proper or goodly child" (Exo.2:2). The more reason why the mother doesn't want to yield him up. It's because something positive stands him out uniquely even as a child. It's a proper, complete and whole child you'll escape or vomit. And if there's any mother or child reading this who has found himself in this condition of being a eunuch born from the womb, God has purposes for it. Follow me into series three to see God's love and comforting purposes for it.

PRAYER: O Lord, now or later, I consecrate my children to you. No harm, injury or evil must impede or limit their expressions. That includes sexual expression in your defined confine.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 11:1-30 & Genesis 36-37

Tuesday, 14 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 14/01/2025

TUESDAY - 14TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

EXCEPT TO WHOM IT IS GIVEN - Fitted For A Manner Of Life Series 001

Matthew 19:10-11,KJV

"10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given."

If the case of a man be so with his wife...how? If a man cannot divorce his wife for every cause except on the ground of fornication, the Bible says such husband who divorces his wife to marry another wife commits adultery while the man who marries the woman put away commits adultery also.

To this, the disciples reply, "if the case of a man be so with his wife...if he is this way handicapped, it is not good to marry." To this, Jesus gives a reply, "all men cannot receive this saying (or calling), except they to whom it is given."

This teaching or series is examining that last part of what Jesus says which is, "except those to whom it is given." What does that mean? What does Jesus intend when He says, "not all men can agree not to marry or do without marriage or the having of a companion except THOSE TO WHOM IT IS GIVEN." This, "to whom it is given", what is it?

Before we get to the answering of the question, "who are those it is given", we'll tarry for now on an introduction to whom it is given. When Jesus says, "except to whom it is given", He meant except those carrying that call. The call not to marry but remain celibates. Remaining a celibate - lifelong celibate like Jesus or Paul takes a call. If it is not given to you; if you're not either structured naturally with a body that can't avail marriage, you must have been made impotent to such emotions by men or you must have been endowed with superfluous grace of God, discipline and extreme self control to remain a single. We'll see in coming series what Jesus called these three set of people who are called to such life of celibacy.

Now, in the face of all these, one thing might be staring us in the face and that's the fact, "except to whom it is given or conferred", it is hard, almost impossible or outrightly impossible (in the words of Jesus) to receive the saying of remaining a celibate.

Like we all know, it takes calling to do certain things. When we say people are called, it means they have been chosen or destined to do something or achieve an intent in particular. For that task, they'll have natural or supernatural equippings for its achievement. The way God has created some of us, we cannot receive the saying to avoid marriage. Avoiding marriage means avoiding sex and we're just not ready for that because we are most importantly not made for that or wired to live that way. That's why it's not every normal and completely healthy human being in their body has become a Catholic Father or taken a vow of celibacy and abided by it. Rather, God made us ready for marriage. We came with sexual organs and emotions that'll drive it. It is this that spoil and disqualify us. When Paul says, "to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife and every woman, her own husband" (I Cor.7:2), that's what he was saying. He meant we are not all created to endure, "except for those like him who can remain as he is" (I Cor.7:7-8). Except for those who are enabled not to see it as a necessity and helped to live above that emotion or its desire (I Cor.7:37). So, on plane one, it'll be difficult to receive that saying and stay unmarried or as a celibate. Why? God, first of all didn't call us to that life by making us without emotions or by accident being birthed with damaged sexual organs. If he had called us to it, we'll probably not have had sexual organs at all. Those without those (if there are those born without it) are people who naturally can receive that saying on plane one. They are ready-made or customized for it. Just like calling is something divine that God chooses you for and chooses for you, that life and lifestyle is naturally chosen for them and conferred on them because they lack the body that desires sex. In simple term, such are like angels on earth who neither marry or are given in marriage (Matt.22:30).

If there were such people created without sexual urge or emotions and some of them were asked before their creation, they might have told God to make them completely healthy like any other man or woman. However, God chose a life of a celibate for them and to make it easier for them, he didn't give them the instrumentalities to fulfill any sexual desire. A sign that God is calling them to separation. Such people visibly could see that they have been 'enclosed" and "decided" for. They are not left with any other option but to embrace this life and road God has etched.

Calling is "except to those whom it is given." If it is not given you; if you're not made that thing or enabled for it, you cannot function as expected in it. We cry, may God enable us to live expressly and fulfillingly in our calls.

PRAYER: Show me my call and let me see what I'm most suited and fitted for. May I stop ploughing another man's field.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 10:24-42 & Genesis 34-35

Monday, 13 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 13/01/2025

MONDAY - 13TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

ACCORDED HONOUR AND MADE SPACE FOR AMIDST THE GREAT AND MIGHTY - Unorthodox Daughter Series 007

Genesis 29:4-6, KJV

"4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep."

The Bible portion that is coming to my mind for use is in Isaiah. Speaking of the reward of Jesus Christ after pouring His soul for sin, the Bible says.

Isaiah 53:12, KJV

"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

That is fulfilled in the name that's greater than any other name given to Jesus (Philip.2:9-11). Looking at Rachel, that same Bible portion succinctly describes her. She actually shares portion with the great and spoil with the mighty. What likely led Laban into making a shepherd out of Rachel had earlier been hinted at in one of my earlier series. However, irrespective of the reason(s), what matters is that there's a need and a responsible soul clung to it. When the vacancy for a shepherd's role opened in Laban's family, Rachel steps in and she goes on to share name and portion with the male syndicate in the profession. Don't cry for want of opportunities. Opportunity will always present themselves this year. Whether you'll take it therefore depends on sighting and knowing it for what it is. Our theme for Year 2025 is, "We Know Our Time" and are therefore not like fishes trapped in an evil net and like a bird caught in a snare (Eccl.9:12).

Pay close attention. The first ever time that our curiosity is awakened to ask if Rachel is a shepherd (which she is), it was fellow shepherds and men of the same trade who identified her as one. They said, "see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep." Coming with the sheep here is notable because it involves shepherding the sheep until they all get to the well. It might even involve carrying the little, sick or injured ones. Now, these shepherding qualities would make us probe if Rachel were not a shepherd. As we would find out, she turns out to be one just like they have hinted because the Bible acknowledges her as a shepherd in verse 9.

Genesis 29:9, ESV

"While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess."

If we were to turn it, it would mean, "shepherds are those who follow or come with sheep." Having this definition at hand, we then can boldly say that Rachel is made great space in the profession of skilled men. For them to call her a shepherd, it means she must have passed some certain tests and endured a great deal in the discharge of the shepherd's task. More importantly, she guided, led, nurtured, treated and watered the sheep. This makes her a shepherd and for this she was recognized by same trade men when they say, "see...Rachel, his daughter comes with the sheep."

If you too won't leave, if you won't turn your back against the profession or way of life you've chosen (especially if it's God ordained), you shall sooner or later be recognized. The recognition of Rachel as a shepherd breaks the stereotype in the Bible. Even the seven daughters of Jethro aren't specifically identified as shepherds but here's someone recognized as one.

Rachel: The Shepherdess! She has become a force to be reaconwith and one of no mean status in the trade. Work at it. Stay there. You'll also be introduced with that recognized title for doing the work and living the life. You can share in the name and fame if you share in their lifestyle and sufferings.

PRAYER: May I fully embrace my calling and stick to it through thick and thin.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 10:1-23 & Genesis 31-33

Sunday, 12 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 12/01/2025

SUNDAY - 12TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

A DAUGHTER WITH THE SHEEP - Unorthodox Daughter Series 006

Genesis 29:6, ESV

"He said to them, "Is it well with him? They said, "it is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!"

Though a visit to India or East Africa might avail you the experience of seeing female shepherds yet it is not a popular sight. If you conduct a world survey as to if there were female shepherds or how many there be, there'll be many more who'll refute that assertion on the singular basis that they don't believe there are female shepherds because they haven't even seen one.

If not for this teaching, if I were to ask you to mention a female shepherd in the Bible, you yourself might say, "a female shepherd? Are you fibbing? Even in Nigeria where pastoral farming is popular especially in the North, their females stay at home or trade.

That tells us that the idea of a female shepherd is not very popular but there are those who do contribute to livelihood and the economy of their localities just like Oumar Sesay Farouk's poem - "The Song of the Women of My Land" said of some unrecognized female farmers.

Rachel is not a son but a daughter with the sheep. She's not the first born. Leah is but we sure have an idea why Leah didn't pasture the flock but Rachel. The Bible describes her as, "weak eyed" (Gen.29:17). That means she might have problem shepherding in intense sun or under bad weather. It also means she might easily be vulnerable to dangers in the wild since her sight is poor and not sharp. However, Rachel is compensated for in that shortcoming. She is adequate and though the second born, the sheep were committed into her care. While Laban had other male sons, yet they might have been too young to pasture then or might be monitoring other sheep. It is for all these reasons Rachel got a space amidst an all male or mostly male trade or vocation. She's a daughter not a son. Yet, she does shepherding. Does this not tell you something that your girl child can perform or achieve extraordinarily also. The Bible talking of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:29 says, "many daughters have done wondrously but you surpass them all."

Rachel surpasses them all. We can talk of great women and though her name didn't appear in the list of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11; she's a woman of great qualities and of an uncommon path other than the ordinary.

God might be speaking to someone who has been rejecting his daughters and is mourning for a son. A daughter can do what a son could have done for you also. Biblical and realistic life experiences have proven same to be so. Rachel (a daughter) is a shepherd. She covers her father and serves as great help to him. You'll have such benefit if you'll give the right kind of training to your daughters in order to reproduce after that great thing you're expecting. We all know the importance of education - and the right education. If you can arm your daughters with such education that'll make them highly trained and fit for their callings, why won't they perform or even outperform a male? Rachel didn't just become a shepherd. She becomes one because she takes on herself the ways, lifestyle and sufferings of shepherds. To become something means following a particular lifestyle. When Samson's parents were enquiring of the delivering angel what vocation Samson would do, they asked this way.

Judges 13:12, KJV

"...How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?"

"What kind of rules should govern the boy's life and work?"(NLT).

"What is to be the child's manner of life and what is his mission?"

It is the road that makes the man. If your gold doesn't pass through the fire, I wonder how it'll turn or what it'll become. To be anything, you must embrace the ways of life of people there. You can't discharge as a man of God without our consecration! May you be willing to embrace your greatness in that manner.

PRAYER: Lord, what ways of life, manner and lifestyle should be upon me for preparation for my manifestation? I enter into it.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 9:18-38 & Genesis 29-30

Saturday, 11 January 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 11/01/2025

SATURDAY - 11TH JANUARY, 2025

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

NEVER ACCEPTED BUT CONTENDED WITH - Unorthodox Daughter Series 005

Exodus 2:16-17, KJV

"16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock."

I made a statement yesterday which was that people are usually prejudiced against someone who wants to break the status quo or stereotype. No other persons are victims of that but these seven daughters of Jethro.

They came to water their father's flock but they were contested with, overthrown and put to flight. Beyond this literal writing, there's a meaning seething for discovery. We didn't read of Rachel being driven away from the well or once opposed by the all male shepherd squad. As a matter of fact, fellow tradesmen treated her cautiously. This is well noticed in their description and identification of Rachel as a co-professional. They said, "see...Rachel, Laban's daughter comes with the sheep (shepherding it)" (Gen.29:6). However, these seven daughters of Jethro weren't given that recognition by their colleague shepherds. It might be coming from resentment of having females in the trade or from the tyrannical rule of the male ego. Irrespective of the root cause, they were not welcomed or received as shepherds by their male counterparts. They were casted out as people who are not part of us. Another school of thought might say they were overridden because they are females who can easily be taken advantage of.

Like I began to say yesterday, breaking stereotype will call for a kind of suffering or hardship. Imagine what the first female hunter faced when she said she would become a hunter. Imagine what the first female boxer might face when she had attraction towards boxing and confessed it. The mum could have said, "so, you want to bring shame on me." It is a debatable matter and to those of that society then, an impossibility. Even in this modern world, when females seek to poke their head somewhere, they usually meet with stiff rejection.

This would also fill us with praise and appreciation for a female like Rachel who might have fought through the thick and thing of this prejudice casted on the feminine gender by the society who defines what jobs or ways of life is best suited for the genders and should not be trespassed. Having this knowledge, we're filled with more admiration for her. Though she found acceptance with other shepherds and even male shepherds, we don't know whether she once fought their rejection, hatred, aspersions, mockery and ego. How she came to win them over so much more that they now see her as a fellow shepherd is the wisdom we don't have written in the Bible literally. However which way it is, she enjoys their fellowship and probably partnership.

No one says the road will be easy on you as a daredevil who's trying to break a virgin land or achieve the uncommon. However, may God grant you favour, men like Moses who'll help regain your rights and a supportive community to cheer you on in your bid to do the classified.

This morning, I'm recalling the poem of Oumar Sesay Farouk titled THE SONG OF THE WOMEN OF MY LAND. As a tribute to the labour of some women long dead and gone but uncelebrated, it occurs to me that there may be many female heroes that were never sung. However, may God help you have a breakthrough wherever there's a hedgethrough. Break barriers and be a pioneer in that field! You won't go uncelebrated. Like Rachel, you'll be inducted into the profession and rightly called by the title of your vocation. As for Rachel, she's a shepherdess.

PRAYER: I am a pioneer female. I trail the blaze for others to follow. I am accepted and where rejected, I fight my way through. Undaunting like a lion and sweet like rose.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Matthew 8:28-9:1-17 & Genesis 27-28