MEMORISE:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Matthew 13:25
READ: Acts 23:23-35
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
MESSAGE
“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.” 2 Kings 6:14
The night is supposed to be for rest and relaxation, so how come the King of Syria sent army against Elisha at night? If you ask any military person, they will tell you that the best time to attack the enemy is when they are relaxed- at night. Secret societies hold meetings at night; it is also when witches fly to their covens. Fortunately, angels are also active at night. Those who are wise pray at night.
In today’s Bible reading, we see how military operations were constantly being carried out at night. The night, though generally known as a time to rest and relax, is also a time for soldiers to move. Soldiers are deployed at night; both heaven and hell send out soldiers at night. A lot of things that are observed in the day time would have been decided and executed at night. That is when you can move what you want moved and stop what you want stopped, in the spirit. If you slack at night, you have given the enemy easy access to sow tares in your field.
Beware of what you do during your time of relaxation. It was during the period of relaxation that Noah got drunk (Genesis 9:20-27). A man rescued by the Lord with his family when the entire world was wiped away relaxed, and got drunk. One of his sons mocked his nakedness causing him to pronounce a curse on the young man. Samson was relaxing in the lap of Delilah when his hair was cut off and he lost his strength. The enemy always looks out for when a person is relaxed so he can attack him then.
Don’t relax in your study of the Bible, don’t relax in prayers, don’t relax in evangelism, don’t relax in giving, don’t relax in working for God. All the devil needs to attack is a little time when you are relaxed. Don’t give him that opportunity. Stay alert at all times (1 Peter 5:8).
KEY POINT:
Never take a day off concerning the things of God. The enemy is consistently seeking whom to kill.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 21-22
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 26: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
Comments
Post a Comment