Memorize: Priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Acts 4: 23-24
Devotional Reading: Acts 4: 19 -24
After the ordeal of the disciples the council of Pharisees was over, they LET THEM GO as articulated in the preceding prayer and the disciples went back to report to their company what had transpired. What has been holding on to you illegally? Has a certain sickness been holding on to you? Has delay been holding on to you? Whatever has been holding on to you or your destiny they must LET YOU GO NOW in Jesus N
name.
You would naturally expect that after they were let go, they would start jubilating and rejoicing in the victory, No, they didn’t, instead, they lifted up their voices to God in prayer. Their decision to pray was possibly informed by their belief that the battle was not yet over even though they had been ALLOWED TO GO, it would be remiss of them to take their enemies for granted or underestimate their adversaries. It is important not to take your adversary for granted and as it is written in John 10:10 the thief (devil) has come to steal, kill and destroy and he will not give up until Jesus return. Needless to say that, from the time we gave our lives to Christ, we have enlisted into God’s army; we engage in battle against the devil, so you are on the devil’s hit list! Many of us misinterpret the fact that the enemy has gone quiet to mean that the battle is over. This could have been the thinking after the disciples were ALLOWED TO GO, but they knew better.
Many of us have fallen prey to the deception of premature jubilation especially when the Lord had turned around our captivity following a long winded battle with poverty, sickness or any form of delay. As important as it is to give thanks in every situation, it is imperative we continue to press on in prayer regardless of the victory we enjoy. Don’t think that because the Lord has opened doors of divine favour and blessings, it is time to relax. This is the time to fast and pray more than ever because the enemy goes quiet to re-strategize and look for ways by which he can pull you down. He might not be able to stop your blessing but he will endeavour to get you carried away with the blessings to the point that you begin to focus on the blessings and stray away from God.
We need to take a cue from what the disciples did, who after they had been ALLOWED TO GO, they continued to pray. We need to ask God for the grace to continue in prayer and fasting
despite our blessings, promotions, increase and breakthroughs because your adversary the devil is not relenting even after victory, so why should you lose your guard? I pray that you will not lose your guard for the devil to penetrate in Jesus Name.
Prayer point: My LORD and my God, please help me to always watch and pray in Jesus name.
Key Dose: Don’t be caught in your unguarded hour, Watch and Pray!
Pastor James Ademuyiwa
Senior Pastor (IHPCT)