FAITH CAPSULE: Wickedness has been and is still increasing.

Psalm 73

Genesis 6:5-6 recorded, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” Wickedness is the evidence of lack of fear of God. The lack of fear of God is from the heart which is far from God. The psalmist poured his heart concerning wickedness, “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment.” (Psalm 73:2-6)
Are you giving attention or ignoring wickedness of this world?
In the days of Noah, wickedness provoked destruction by water through the hand of God.  In Sodom and Gomorrah during the days of Lot, wickedness sin provoked destruction by fire through the hand of God. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Without doubt, God will not ignore the wickedness of the world of today. Jesus spoke as regard to the present wickedness, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.  Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)
Today, are you paying attention or are you ignoring the wickedness of this present world?
Pay attention to the wickedness of today and not be a victim of any consequence of wickedness that is inevitable.
Jesus’ word was a threat to the wicked ones as they attempted to stone Him. Bible recorded, ^“Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” (John 8:59) Jesus demonstrated our need to hide when challenges demands hiding. Learn to be hiding in the word of God in this wicked world and not be a victim of the consequence of wickedness.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to be abiding in His word.

FAITH CAPSULE: Concerning your bondage, God shall give you reasons to sing for joy at God’s tenth time of your deliverance.

Exodus 12

In Egypt, after over four hundred years, nine plagues were not enough for Pharaoh to let Israel go free to serve God as requested by God through Moses. However, at the struck of tenth plague, Pharaoh had no choice but to let go the Israelites from the bondage of over four hundred years. It is written, “And it came to pass at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” (Exodus 12:29-32) Despite persistent long years of enemy’s forces against the Israelites, tenth plague was enough for undeniable deliverance of God for the Israelites. As the Lord God lives, your tenth year, tenth month, tenth week or tenth day that you have been tied down shall let you go free in Jesus name.
As a result of the tenth plague, it was with urgency that the Israelites were released free for God’s calling. Exodus 12:33 stated it, “And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”” As a believer of God’s outstretched hand, tenth time shall deliver your testimony of God’s deliverance. God is true and faithful to those who wait on Him. Concerning the Israelites in the hand of Pharaoh, bible also mentioned, “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.” Concerning your bondage, same God, the Holy one of Israel shall give you reasons to sing for joy at God’s tenth time of your deliverance.     In the hand of God, there is time for every turnaround and God will never be too late or too early to attend to you at your tenth time. Tenth year, tenth month, tenth week or tenth day shall bring forth God’s undeniable deliverance to the glory of His name. Are you looking at your clock to determine how long your situation persists? God does have His own time and plans, your timing will not move the hand of God.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to remained focus upon His outstretched hand of deliverance.

FAITH CAPSULE: Resting in God’s promise is the evidence of trusting and hoping in the hand of God.

Exodus 14

After the deliverance of Israelites by the hand of God from the bondage of over four hundred years, they could not disregard the spirit of fear from Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. The bible recorded, “So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon. And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.” (Exodus 14:9-10)  The Israelites allowed fear instead of standing on the power of God. Enemy is a liar but man should remember to take a stand in the testimonies of God. The statement of Psalm 119:31 is an evidence of standing on the testimonies of God, “I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!” Psalm 119:79 also recorded, “Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.”
Can you remember any testimony of God as evidence that God is never a failure in your life journey? In response to the fear of the Israelites, bible recorded, “And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
When God promises, it is certain for man to claim the promises of God by resting in the promises of God. Resting in God’s promise is the evidence of trusting and hoping in the hand of God. King Jehoshaphat was faced with war against Moab and Ammon. As a result, “King Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). In his prayers, he reminded God concerning the works of God’s hand and God responded by sending Jahaziel who delivered God’s word of promise stating “You will not need to fight in this battle, position yourselves, standstill and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17) The Word of God is true to deliver only if we will hear and believe.
Are you anticipating any representative of Pharaoh or Moab and Ammon in your life? Disallow fear; stand still and see victory over your enemy. King Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel standstill as God delivered them from their enemy.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to stand on the promises of God.

FAITH CAPSULE: It is not possible to communicate in thoughts and not get God’s attention.

Psalm 64

God alone is the Creator of all creations. At the time of creation, God did not contract any agent for any part of man for His help to assemble man as complete creation. Indeed, He is a perfect creator. He spoke to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5) God’s word to Jeremiah speaks to all man; His word testifies that God knows all before man is formed by God. What is representing concern in the life of man which God cannot resolve for man under heaven? Absolutely nothing exists which is beyond God to respond with answer for man’s concern.
With all languages for communicating to God, there is none that surpasses God’s understanding. God hears and sees all that goes on back and forth among all of His creation. Psalmist stated, “He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”(Psalm 94:9-10) The book of Isaiah 59:1 also confirmed, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear?” What is your concern which cannot connect with God for His intervention on your behalf?
It does not matter how long your concerns persists; it does not count how we call on God, the truth is that He hears us regardless of different language. Wherever we call on God from no barrier can intervene. It is not possible to communicate in thoughts (meditation) and not get God’s attention. God did not hide the secret of meditation when He approached Joshua after the death of Moses. Joshua 1:8-9, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Meditation is sacrifice that demands consistency. Meditation demands day and night engagement. Evidently, the one that meditates will undoubtedly intimidate his world by evidence of God’s touch. Meditation is power to be preserved from enemy and from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity. God does not fail but will raise man out of concerns of this wicked world.   

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to trust and hope in His power for deliverance and preservation.

FAITH CAPSULE: In this wicked world, not embrace truth engage lie which devil is the resource.

1 Kings 22

Truth does not lie. Truth is always a threat to deceivers and one that lies. Jesus declared, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6) To walk in truth in this life is the evidence of being led by the truth. Bible buttressed the importance being led by truth, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:5) “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me…” (Psalm 43:3) In this wicked world, truth is extensively hated. Among fellowship of liars, deception and manipulation truth is a threat. In this wicked world, those who do not embrace truth engage lie which devil is the resource. Jesus referred to liar, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
Do you have hatred for God’s message in your direction? Any believer that hates never makes headway and the longer they hold unto hatred is the closer they are to their self-destruction. Just as a believer cannot get away with hatred, un-believer will also fall for hatred.
Ahab king of Israel approached war with Syria in order to take over Ramoth Gilead. Ahab requested Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to go with him to fight at Ramoth Gilead. (1 Kings 22:4) Jehoshaphat accepted requesting Ahab to inquire for the word of the Lord. Ahab agreed and gathered four hundred prophets to inquire. God was inquired and Ahab was given message that God will deliver Syria into his hand. Unfortunately, message of Ahab’s prophets was not truthful. Jehoshaphat requested for a clearer message from any available prophet in the land. Ahab responded to Jehoshaphat’s request, “…There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.’ And Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say such things!’” (1Kings 22:8) Ahab confessed his hatred for Micaiah a prophet of God. The reason for Ahab’s hatred was his dislike for truth.
Prophet Micaiah prophesied, “…I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’” (1 Kings22:17)  Prophet of God’s truth message was true; Ahab’s four hundred prophet message was not truth. King Ahab’s hate towards Micaiah denied him from responding to the truthful warning signs. Ahab went to war and not returned.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from every representation of liar’s agent.