Memorize: Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed; thou has guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. Exodus. 15:13
Devotional Reading: 2 Kings 5: 1-7
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper” 2 kings 5:1. This verse introduces Naaman in a beautiful way as a warrior. He was an army that held great portfolio and was described in beautiful pose. Let us look at God factor in Naaman’s great position. Naaman was the captain of the Syrian host while God is the captain of the host of heaven Psalm 24:8-10. He was captain over men – flesh while God is Lord over spirits and flesh, God is Lord over human and animal flesh.
The Lord is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the red seas” Exodus:15:3-4. Naaman was powerful and could conquer nations by the mercy and backing of God’s power even when he never realized it. Naaman ordinarily by himself is nothing, his great position was given to him by God, the same with everyone in great office or position, you are in that important office because God allowed you.
Victory came for Syria several times not because of Naaman’s wisdom or excellent credentials, but because of God’s mercy and help. On the other hand, God can wipe out the armies of all nations in one day. With one angel, He wiped out the army of Senacherib in one night. This means with few angels, the battalions of the world could be wiped out in a night.
There are times God have given us victory over seen or unseen battles in our lives, we sometimes give the credit to someone else, or to yourself, probably you think; you were careful or at alert or you were intelligent or observant, it is not by your strength or the strength of someone else, it is by the mercy of God.
We learnt that God gives victory over sicknesses, diseases and unexpected dangers, this is very true. I shared my experience some time ago about how God by mercy delivered me from the hand of money ritual kidnappers, I was only 10 years old and was returning from school going home, unknown to me that the commercial public transport in front of me was kidnappers vehicle, I boarded the bus and found myself in the hand of kidnappers, as a little child in the hands of 2 adult men and an adult woman, i had no strenght to match these evil team, but the mercy of God prevailed for me, God sent his angel to set me free, he took me home to my mother who was praying. I pray for you today that Mercy will speak and prevail for you in your difficult circumstances in Jesus name.
There are many times that you too have been delivered not because of your strength but because of the mercy of God. May the Lord help you to appreciate God for his mercies over you and your family.
I pray that the mercy of God will continue to speak for you and not depart from you and your family in the name of Jesus.
Prayer point: O LORD, let your mercy speak for me today.
Key Dose: Remember that by strength shall no man prevail, but for the mercy of God.
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)