OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026

TOPIC: EARTHLY HOME

MEMORISE:

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

READ: Isaiah 24:1-6

Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.

4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

MESSAGE

Many people today conduct their lives as if the earth is their home and final resting place. Such people focus solely on gathering treasures here on earth and practically worship material things. For them, the things that they see and own are far more important than everything else. They want to drive the best cars, live in the biggest houses, eat the most exotic foods, and gather as much money as they can at all costs. All they care about are vain things, and nothing else matters to them.

The Bible tells us in James 4:4 that friendship with this world is enmity with God. This means that anyone who loves the things of this world more than anything else, cares so deeply about material things, and is willing to do practically anything to acquire material possessions is an enemy of God.

The same Scripture refers to such a fellow as an adulterer or adulteress. This is because, as Christians, God, our Maker, is our Husband (Isaiah 54:4), and He is the One who owns us. Therefore, if someone or something else succeeds in taking our hearts away from our Husband, we are committing adultery.

Beloved, I would like you to read today’s memory verse carefully and ensure you memorise it. I would love it if you could make it your watchword henceforth, because it is important to understand that all the things you see around you are temporal.

For instance, a car that used to be flashy ten years ago is no longer flashy now. Likewise, the most sophisticated phone ten years ago has become outdated today. The things of this world are temporal and have no eternal value. However, the devil uses them as bait to distract people from things that are truly valuable and those that have eternal consequences.

For instance, many young ladies have been lured into engaging in illicit sexual activities because they want to use the latest phones and wear the best clothes. They traded their virginity for material possessions, and they can never recover what they have lost, whereas they can lose what they thought they gained.

Child of God, take heed to the words of Jesus in Mark 8:36-37. Nothing on earth today is as valuable as your soul, and nothing is worth losing your soul in hell over. Don’t fall for the devil’s lies; keep your focus on God and His kingdom rather than the things of the world. Earth is not your home; you’re only passing through!

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to fix my eyes on You alone and not on the things of the world, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Isaiah 44-46

Hymn 10: IN CHRIST ALONE

1. In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

2. In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

‘Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

3. There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

4. No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From a life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

‘Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand