OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2026

TOPIC: THE ULTIMATE PROMOTER

MEMORISE:

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalm 3:3

READ: 1 Samuel 2:7-9

7 The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

MESSAGE

When I was studying for my Master’s degree, there was a young man who was working in a professor’s office as a messenger. In those days, there were no mobile phones, so whenever someone called the office phone to speak with the professor, the boy would answer the phone first before taking it to the professor.

Most times, however, whenever he answered the phone, the people on the other end of the call would say, “Prof,” thinking it was the professor who had answered. After some time, the boy began to call himself ‘Prof, and people joined in, jokingly calling him the same.

One day, he said to himself, “Hey, I know that people jokingly call me ‘Prof, but I can really become a professor.” By the time I left the University of Lagos as a lecturer, he was already studying for his PhD.

Today’s Bible reading says that God can lift beggars from the dunghill and sit them among princes. I can relate to this because I had no shoes for the first 18 years of my life, yet by God’s special grace, I have met many heads of state and engaged in lengthy conversations with them. The same God who promoted me can also promote you, if you surrender all to Him.

Some people experience what can be called ‘normal promotions in life. A good example of this is when people make steady progress in their careers. They might get salary increases once every year, and as they work hard, they get promoted once every five years. While this is good, I know that God has greater plans for His children.

In John 10:10. Jesus said that He came to the earth that we might have life and have it more abundantly. God wants you to enjoy promotion that is beyond normal; He wants you to enjoy supernatural promotion. David was someone who experienced supernatural promotion. One day, he was on the field tending his father’s sheep, and the next day, the Ultimate Promoter arranged for him to be anointed as a king (1 Samuel 16:11-13).

Beloved, the key to experiencing supernatural promotion is to humble yourself before God and live in total obedience to Him. When you do this, He will exalt you in due time and crown your life with His glory (1 Peter 5:6). I pray that the Ultimate Promoter will give you a supernatural promotion before the end of this year, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, I ask for supernatural promotion

in every area of my life, in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Ezekiel 41-43

Hymn 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge–

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he’ll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.