MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - 14/03/2024

THURSDAY - 14TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO

AND WE CALL THE PROUD HAPPY - Does Good Pays Series 001?

Read Malachi 3:13-18

Malachi 3:15, KJV

"And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered."

May this not be your saying. Have you met backslided Christians before? They usually have that saying. They'd say, "what's so special in serving the Lord? We did but nothing came out of it. No reward; no special treatment - not a bit of distinction. Rather, we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered." Imagine that! Sounds like an act of great injustice or unfairness. It breaks down the wall of any just rewarding system. If any nation operates by this, crime will skyrocket in a jiffy. 

Their saying is, "these are people who ought not to have made it big or given any acknowledgement, office or reference in society. However, they are the ones having the praise and honour of men despite being scoundrels." You know somebody once lamented that those who showed no potential of a great future while in secondary school are now those who could pay the bills. They neither were brilliant or excelled in other things by which they could be predicted and marked for a great future; however, they have the materials now. While some of these said people might not have cut corners to make it, he however talks of those who did. He therefore felt cheated being a law abiding citizen when others who despise and suspend the law at will are those the same society they're ruining celebrate. Does it shock you? Same is the complaint of those for whom that verse of the Bible was written.

They were frustrated and disappointed that those who are unjust are called blessed. In all endeavours, those who are doing well and making it are those who they know to be law breakers, stubborn, disobedient to parents and even heady to God etc. That's why that place says, "we call the proud happy and the wicked are set up." Should it be? It ought not to but that became the new normal because of how the society has come to love vanity and esteem those who could deliver the cash or bring out the goods only. Meaning, if you're righteous and you can't deliver or you aren't bogus or extravagant, you'd not be celebrated by such system. How many of you have felt cheated like this before? How many of you once ruminated and called the proud happy, lucky and fortunate than your humble obedient self?

You see, indeed, the proud may be called happy by men and those that work wickedness may be set high because of the earthly goods they have acquired indecently with which men respect or defer to them, however, it should be known to you that their respect comes from men and not from God. God doesn't make mistakes with the identity of men. He abhors what men esteems at times. You may have the reputation of being good but be very evil before God or vice versa. So, while the proud may be called happy by men, God sees him as unfortunate and doomed. It is natural for those that cut corners to accumulate wealth unduly and hastily and be quickly set up or given  recognition in the society more than the righteous; however, let this be your consolation that when God shall make up His jewels, he shall separate between both of you. There shall be a mark that you have been on the Lord's side and have been contented with what your effort earns you in righteousness. It'll eventually be just, true and balanced like Father Abraham told the rich man. "You in thy lifetime enjoyed goodies but Lazarus evil. But now, he enjoys good while you are tormented" ((Lk.16:25). Even the distinction shall begin to be certain from the earth because the Bible says, "for the wicked shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalms 1:5-6). God will preserve you and grant you salvation (Psalm 91:16). If any were to be taken in death or caught in evil, you can be assured it won't be you because you're God's obedient son. Any man spares his obedient son of punishment. God is not unrighteous as to be blind to your godliness. The mystery of distinction still works and it shall demarcate between the righteous and evil. 

May it not ever be your own saying that you call the proud happy and the wicked set up in honorable places while those who stick to the Lord lack the needed recognition and blessing. May you not come to this place of hurt and regret for ever serving the Lord. It's the reason why some backslided. They'd tell you that we've seen it work the other way round. The proud are called happy and the wicked set up. We too, we shall follow suit. Don't. God does put distinction between the wicked and the righteous; good and bad; obedient and disobedient. While Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, salvation was extended to Lot and his family by mercy (Gen.19:16-17). That's the kind of distinction I'm talking about. You shall not be destroyed or caught in the lot of the wicked. "A thousand may fall by your side and ten thousand by your right hand, but it won't come to you", says the Lord. "You'll only see with your eyes the reward of the wicked" (Psalm 91:7-8). Mark that phrase, "the reward of the wicked." It means their getting paid justly for all they have done. Look, the wicked shall not escape his just recompense. Only that you might still argue for justice unknowingly to you that he has been justly paid. To do good and stick to God in obedience pays. I tell you as God Himself says. It pays!

PRAYER: Lord, open your book of remembrance and put distinction between me and the disobedient. Reward my righteousness. It is the Lord who fight for me, so I hold my peace. The Lord is the keeper of my lot.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 19:1-20:29, Luke 1:1-25, Psalm 56:1-13, Proverbs 11:8

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 13/03/2024

WEDNESDAY - 13TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

SOWING BEGAT REAPING

Luke 19:21, KJV

"For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow."

That's a principle being highlighted in that verse. If you have not sown, you ought not to reap and if you haven't laid down, why take up? First of all, memorize that so you won't begin to anticipate where you've not scattered. You may wonder, who does that? Yet, there are people who expect from where they have not given. 

If this verse be true (which it is), it means its reverse will also be true. He that sows must reap. It's on this wise the master of this servant is vindicated over him. He has sown and he should reap. I only wonder why this uncommensensical servant couldn't see that the deposit with him is His master's seed or investment to him. While the master settles accounts with others and with favourable responses on their proves of yield, this one has nothing to present. He rather accuses his master, calling him an austere man. Do you know the meaning of that? It means, "hard" or "brutal." He accuses him of expecting to reap where he has not sown. Who does that? If that were true of his master, that would have made him a truly hard man. It's only an investment you have not put down you shouldn't expect a dime on. If you do, you're simply a robber and a rebel. As a matter of fact, you're the most difficult man that ever be. 

However, this servant out of blindness refuses to see. Envy of others huge talents could have made him bury his. He probably accounted his to be too little or depressing to do anything. However, the master knows their capacity and as a gentleman that he is, he won't request of them when he has not given them at all let alone ask more than he has entrusted to each. That's why his reply goes thus. "22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?" (Luke 19:22-23, KJV). You see, what's the master proving with him? That he has sown to him and he ought to reap an interest in what he has given? On this wise, he's justified over him. 

God has given to us all. We might not have been endowed equally but this is also a prove that we won't be expected from equally. All of us are meant to live a purposeful life with God's investment, talent, gift, anointing, inspiration on or in us. A day of reckoning will come when you'll give account of your stewardship. May you be found faithful. May you not give a lame excuse seeking to accuse God for not endowing you obviously like the stars or superstars of your day. May you live life to the fullest at your level of endowment - knowing that God is not an austere man who doesn't request where He has not given and who doesn't request more than He gave. 

PRAYER: Lord, may I not be stupid and churlish in business. May I always seek to bring profit and glory to You who has created and endowed me.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 12/03/2024

TUESDAY - 12TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

NO REGRETS

John 4:34, KJV

"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."

After discovering what to live for, your next big responsibility or target is to ensure you live it out and to the fullest. You don't want to regret at old age or departure that there are extents not reached. Many time, we focus on discovering the will of God and living it as we are preoccupied but haven't taught ourselves or congregation the need to finish all written or allocated to us to do by God. You're not the one who determines the extent of your work or elasticity of your calling. God does. For John, his assignment was to identify the Messiah and testify of Jesus as he did (John 1:29-34). He identifies Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world. For Jesus, it was to die for the sins of the whole world and He sure got there as well (John 19:30). For you, you must find out. You'll know if there's still more to cover by the feeling of discontentment you'll often feel in you. God is the One who supplies any called fellow with a sense of purpose. So, you'll always have an experience of whether you're on the right tasks or you've fulfilled all.  

You see, you'll still be a failure of a type if you couldn't complete what God allocated to you to do. On this note, we have to give effort to see that we do the will of God and finish His works before we are cut off. It is this reason that fuels Jesus into saying, "He must work the works of He that sent Him while it is day, for night comes when no man can work" (John 9:4). You see, even if you don't want to stop; you'll be eventually stopped by old age or death. You can not always bear the zest and youthfulness of your youth. It is true of all things that night will come upon you. Night as a moment of importunity is one thing that hinders people from "finishing God's work" which they have found. Many may start, go all the way to do some but may not finish. Not finishing is where the danger is. Imagine if God had to look for another man to finish or bring to completion the very assignment He gave to you to do. 

The very sure way to beat night or time of importunity like sickness, old age or death which may hinder you from doing the will of God that you have known (which is your purpose) and finishing it is to have started earlier and apply diligence on daily basis to fulfill your calling. Once you sense God's call on your life for a certain kind of life to be lived, it is wise to depart once and for all to it without contemplating how you'll make ends meet. Dillying-dallying is a robber of time - your most essential time. Starting early gives you more time in your hands to dedicate to your calling or life's purpose. Any who did something of importance laid the foundation in his youth when his body could bear the burden or shock of the work. As I write to you now, there are different men especially Scientists and Inventors who spend up to 14 - 16 hours daily seeking to make discovery or finish a product. No aged fellow could give such much time. 

However, if you're a latecomer like Paul the Apostle, you may need to take the handle of diligence to beat even your predecessors in the same profession. Apostle Paul while speaking says, "but by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (I Corinthians 15:10, KJV). You see, labouring more than others can hasten your steps and put you into equality with those who already left you behind. It not only made Paul to catch up but it even made him surpass all the other apostles. He laboured more than them all. He started by giving himself away to solitude even at the beginning (Gal.1:16-18) and making his time count daily by giving it to calling henceforth and not frivolities. Peter also talks of "applying diligence to make one's calling and election sure" (II Peter 1:10). Establishment and reknowness of your calling comes through diligence or else you might not be taken as having the call as you profess. Unless by diligence men sees the works or products of your calling, it may not be clear to them that you're called. 

Therefore, let it be in your mind not only to be a good starter but finisher. There are those who'll regret on their death bed by the time God shows them their report card. By the time He shows them expanse that still needs coverage, they'd not be happy at all. Let it be your motivation to finish all as well. If orphanage, university, hospital, NGO, business etc is in your calling, ensure they all come out. If you're a minister and God intends you preach to many and bring them to salvation and sonship, then your thirst must be the thirst of Paul who says, "he's indebted to the Greeks and the Barbarians... and he must share the gospel with those in Rome also" (Rom. 1:14-15). What we have all started, may we see to an end. 

PRAYER: Give me the wisdom, initiative and energy to fulfill my purpose in its entirety. My strength is renewed; my understanding is enlarged.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 11/03/2024

MONDAY - 11TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

HUMANITY IN ALL OF US

Acts 28:2, KJV

"And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold."

The word "barbarous" has been variously explained in the dictionary as, "uncivilized, uncultured;

mercilessly impudently violent; cruel or savage." One thing is observable, because this island is very much far from the civilization of people, its people could have remained very much unchanged or refined. If this is not, they could have refused change all together like the Piraha of the Amazon jungle in Brazil. They might have made of none effect the contacts of people with them. Though uncivilized, they however acted contrarily to that. They showed civility and humanity to Paul and all others who escaped the peril of the sea. They kindled fire for them and housed them.

Humanity is in everyone of us including any dubbed uncivilized or aggressive among us. It is God who puts it there. He is love (I John 4:16) and we are products of His love. Because we are, we are to model after God, the ultimate Love. As such, no matter how hard, violent or unapproachable someone may be, yet we know there's bowels of compassion (I John 3:7) in him that can be triggered or called to act humanly. This barbarous people could have acted otherwise and lived up to the label put on them but they seemed to have proven everyone wrong about their being barbarous. Who knows what myths have been formed round them? Who knows whether it was once noised that they were cannibals and should be avoided? However, we see their heart in such timely help they gave to those shipwrecked on the sea.

While there are those whose bowels of compassion might have been perverted, yet we ought know that all humans inherit the capacity to love and be loved from God. He's counting on us to give love and show a heart of compassion to many that'll come our way in our capacity and at our levels. 

I John 3:17, KJV

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

This way, we'll be bringing down his kingdom as we model it to men. Love and kindness are languages that any hears or sees. As you speak it by acting it, you may win some wars without fighting and win people without preaching. Yes, just by observing you.

Humanity is in all of us. We are bound together by that rope and we pray that we'll be more human to each other even as the day are hard. Humanity brings tolerance and a strive for peace in our society. It could make two factions even live peacefully as one. May I continually see you as my brother and neighbor. May I do unto you just like I'll like you do unto me. May we all find acceptance in strange lands and with strange people. Irrespective of where you'll arrive at, no matter the strangeness of the land, you can trust God who delivered Paul out of the mouth of the lion to redeem you from violence and make people favourably disposed to you (II Tim.4:17). They'll see you and be tempered. They'll see you and come as friends. 

PRAYER: Teach me more matters of civility, kindness and exercise of human compassion to others.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 10/03/2024

SUNDAY - 10TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

LIGHT SO SHINE!

Read I Kings 18:36-40

I Kings 18:39, KJV

"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God."

We are ambassadors of Light and our duty is to reveal His light. We have confessed for long that, "His kingdom come, His will be done on earth" (Matt.6:10). If our true desire is that the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost of God (Rom.14:17) should be felt, being established in every sphere of life we find ourselves, then we have to be light bearers; we have to live for a testimony. It is this testimony well lived for and this representation of Christ well done where we are placed that will reveal God's standard, lifestyle and converting principles that'll make "people give glory to our Father who's in heaven (Matt.5:16) or say, "the Lord, he is the God." Through how we live, we can convict the world of sin and even righteousness!

The kind of honour, admiration, esteem and worship we are to draw to God by our accomplishments - which God will wrought through us is what we have exemplify in today's passage. All of us are very much aware of the Mount Carmel Challenge. The prophets of Baal are to prepare a sacrifice and call down fire to consume it. There was culture shift that day because Elijah advocated for fire being called down instead of being lit by any man. Herein we shall prove whose God shall answer by fire (I Kings 18:24). It is such that would be GOD uncontestingly. Despite the effort of the prophets of Baal to call unto Baal for fire, they all failed however. Even when they cut themselves until blood gush out, Baal still didn't give ears. They wanted to attract its sympathy but all was to no avail for them. For Elijah rather, fire immediately come down the moment he prays. As he tells the people to draw near to him, the Lord descends fire and what a sight to behold. With this accomplishment that shocks the citizenry watching, they all confess in unison, "the Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God." That is, "the God of Elijah is the true God." Look at how through Elijah's accomplishment, honour, glory and worship was brought to God. 

This is what should be the duty of every Christian. To live distinctly and outstandingly that the heathen - their lives, products, services etc wouldn't be able to compare with ours, so much more that people would be able to say of us, "the chin-chin she makes is the best. It's the Lord and God of all chin-chin. No chin-chin is comparable to hers." If people have not been talking of the works of your hands this way, it's either you're living way too shalow - not giving attention and refusing to impact quality into what you make or do. In the Mount Carmel Competition, Elijah didn't force himself on anyone. It was what they saw that they repeated. No partiality of any sort. The prophets of Baal had their chance. As a matter of fact, they spent more time trying to bring down fire from Baal than Elijah spent with God. Yet, no accomplishment for them. However, just at a kickstarting, there was a sound from heaven for Elijah. And so, he became distinct, far away from being a fraud or scam like the prophets of Baal who couldn't produce or have their god send down fire. On this note, the people confess who to them has carry the trophy after careful observation on who has delivered the expected result. They said, "the Lord, He is the God." Another way round, "the Lord of Elijah is the God." My concern is that Elijah brought honour to God by his life and act. Is it honour you've been bringing to God as a Christian or shame? Just by how you've been living, has Jesus been winning or losing amidst other gods and religions? Or is it the Hinduists, Confucists, Buddhists, Muslims etc that have been having the glory and praise in business, media, entertainment, politics, sports, social/spiritual etc worlds where you are as God's representative? May we be the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). May our God be the GOAT. That's what God became that day as Elijah sanctifies Him before the people and as He Himself answers by fire. He became the GOAT, the genius, the awe, the commander and winner of the admiration and souls of all present. Everybody immediately believed in God. Doubt was eradicated immediately. 

If God's kingdom will be known and felt amidst all people, it's the responsibility of each of us to bring it down by revealing Jesus, the Kingdom and its principles to people.  Such testimony and incomparable result that people will see come from us is what will set God high so much more that they'll say, "our God, He is the Lord" or "the Lord, He is God." In your day and my day, may other gods not be the God. By how we live, what we do or become with our lives, may we flag Christ very high until men see our good works and undeniably give glory to our Father who's in heaven (Matthew 5:16). 

PRAYER: Lord, I seek to bring you honour, glorify me when I need to make prove of you even as I give diligence to work and become outstanding in my profession or field. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 09/03/2024

SATURDAY - 9TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

HE EVEN CONSUMES IMPEDIMENTS

Read I Kings 18:1-40

I Kings 18:38, KJV

"Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."

May God glory over all impossibilities in your life. The Lord is set to minister to someone in power and help you overcome some certain impediments that has stopped, hindered, frustrated you, refusing remedy till now. We can explain or teach but the demonstration of power is what lays a seal on such teaching or explanation. And today, the Spirit of power - the Spirit divine will attend to your needs. God will visit your home, business, career, education etcetera.

In today's reading, there's revival in Israel. If journalists were to create an headline to capture this event of the day, they'd say, "Contest on Mount Carmel: Who Goes Home With the Citizenry?" Elijah poses a challenge to the prophets of Baal and the grooves. Nothing worked however for them. For Elijah however, God met his prayer with fire which according to biblical account not only consumed the burnt sacrifice, wood and dust but consumed the stones and licked up the water - flowing water in the trench. When the fire of the Lord fell, it not only consumed the conceivable to human imagination and consumables like flesh or wood but it as well consumed the impossibles and the inconsumables i.e stones and water. For instance, stone is part of the inconsumable that should have been spared. Also, the amount of water that is present in the trench is so much that it should have quenched the fire itself. That should have hindered the quick consuming power of the fire; thereby constituting itself as an impediment. However, this same fire leaks it up. What a thing! What a victory! Look at how God glorifies Himself over all the impediments and impossibilities on Elijah's prayer being totally answered that day. Same way, God shall glory over all impediments in your life. 

You yourself may be of the opinion that some things are possible in your life while some are not. "The meat is consumable but what about the stones", you ask? Our own God is not only the God of the valley but also of the mountain. He is instant in and out seasons. Darkness is as light to Him; so, He is not confused, discouraged or overwhelmed by what naturally puzzles or troubles the human mind. Are there stones and water, much water around your own trenches today? Let it alone, the Lord shall glory over them all. God is not only a specialist over the humanly possible things in our lives. That someone is God is that He rules supreme even over all impossibilities and unnaturalness in human lives. On this note, you can be assured that your defiant sickness, disease, addiction, spiritual affliction in dreams transcending into reality etc shall all be dealt with and wiped clean from your life. He consumed the stones and licked the water. Now, the Lord is scanning through your life, family and all things that pertain to you. He's doing a running for information now and wherever He encounters what the doctor or any specialist has called impossible, He's taken over them now. Now! He'll consume them. None shall be spared. Impediments to specialists doesn't puzzle Him. 

The Bible says, "who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain..." (Zechariah 4:7, KJV).

As the Lord work this works, all mountains (impossibilities as they're classified by human discovery, wisdom and specialist) shall all become plain. It is Jesus of Nazareth moving on to thresh them down for you. It is what God threshes down for you that is simplified, humbled and possible to glory over. All your impediments shall so much be threshed down to the earth that you'll gain absolute victory over them all. What did David do to Goliath? When the giant was threshed down, David ran and stood over him in absolute victory (I Sam. 17:49-51). Also, when the five kings were taken, Joshua asked men of Israel and the captains to stand putting their feet on their necks in absolute victory (Joshua 10:24). Nothing shows the defeat and triumph of another other than that. Today, you're having that absolute victory. Everything that is above you is beneath God. Now that He's threshing them down for you, they shall come under you too, under your dominion as totally disarmed. It is so! He has consumed your stones and licked your water. He spares no challenge, impediment or difficulty in your life. It's all Yahweh has taken out. Glory!

PRAYER: Place your hands wherever you're sick or diseased. Thank God for His healing there. [Go for check-up, you'll meet it so. Then, send us your testimony]. Also, note down any life's challenge of yours and praise God for settling it already. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32

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MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - 08/03/2024

FRIDAY - 8TH MARCH, 2024

MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO

THE JOURNEY AND PASSAGE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Read Ecclesiastes 12

Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

One time, I was meditating on death and how life quickly folds to wrap up. A portrayal was brought me of an elderly minister in my country who couldn't stand to minister any longer. This image portrays the potency of "night" and how it folds we humans up. No matter how agile or good looking you are now, just by the outworking of time, you'll succumb to depreciation before you're made ready for your "long home" (Eccl.12:5). 

There's no wise man or wealthy who can break this process. As long as he's birthed and has a beginning of days; he must sure have an end of days. To this, the law of depreciation which will eventually culminates in a sleep for Christians will begin. The moment a child is birthed, his or her race begins. I'll like you see it as a race. Once the shot is released into the air, the count down to the finishing line begins. Time begins to wind down. This is even best portrayed in sports and activities where the stop watch is put to use. Only God knows when the clock of each will stop and our time will reach.

Today's verse talks about the human spirit going back to God. I'll like to tell you that this spirit that eventually found release and departure out of the human body has been on a journey to the grave since birth. At birth, our race against time starts. As each day is spent and shoveled behind, we actually near death. That's why anyone who's younger than you will be credited with having more time than you do. A fourteen year old has more time to spend on the earth than his dad who's forty two all other things being equal. 

So, the culmination that you read in that verse of the 'dust returning to the earth and the spirit returning to who gave it' began long time ago. It's a journey before destination and set down is made at the grave. However, it ends when "the silver cord of life snaps" (Eccl.12: 6). Look, we shall return. The human spirit will be given up, set free from the body to sail back to Who gave it - God. But before then, the night will first of all dawn on us individually. The night will collapse us and restrict us from ever being useful like we've been. That's why Jesus, knowing the disadvantage that the night brings echoes His strategy for triumphing over it by saying, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day, for night comes when no man can work" (John 9:4). 

You can't say you don't want to die or refuse to take things slowly as you age. Of necessity, you must slow down. Jesus recognizes that. He talks of a time of importunity when by old age or death amidst other reasons you may not be able to do the tasks of living beings again. As I write now, my maternal grandmother does nothing much but to walk to and fro in the house and lie down to rest. She's glued and restricted. Night has caught up with her. Dreaming now would be a waste at this time. There's no strength, health and time for it to materialize. She can't even go for any religious activity or business like her former days. She may not like that; she may still want to explore the world and see here and there; however she has been forcefully restricted and must be contented. That's the meaning of "night coming when no man can work anylonger." It's a law. You can't violate it. Man must obey. 

As a matter of fact, as you age, there's a natural acceptance and tolerance of death that you'll have. You'll come to a believe that it would soon be your turn and so your mind and thoughts would turn to the world beyond. Dylan Thomas in his poem, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" urges his beloved father who was sick to rage (fight), rage (fight) against the dying of the light (light is metaphoric of life). While human resolution or the will to live has been proven to help people survive sicknesses and some life threatening incidents, yet we ought discern that no strong will can prove resistant or stubborn when the Giver of life is saying, "let the dust return to the earth." It is God who gives life and when He makes demand of it, no force could stop Him. Job knows this when  he says, "naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21, KJV). 

People, you'll return. God will have your spirit while your posterity will have your carcass - your body. Before then however, you ought live like Jesus lived. You ought work the works of Him that sent you to the earth. You must see to it that His Kingdom come and His will is done in the sphere of life you are or will be called to. This way, you'll have triumphed over death by fulfilling purpose and discharging your life's assignment. As such, you'll have no fear or regret facing death as a born again. As for the spirit - your spirit, it'll return. And I tell you, it's currently on that voyage to returning as you spend day after day. So, don't be idle but live purposefully. 

PRAYER: O Lord, teach me how to live and maximize each day. Let me see life as a gift and an opportunity that mustn't be squandered. 

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30

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