Text: Psalm 107:17-20
Memory verse:
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭71‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It’s often said that “Everyone suddenly becomes a believer the moment the pilot announces that the aircraft is in a bad storm”. This is to say that the trouble of life has the tendency to draw us closer to God, even if it is initially for the purpose of finding a solution to that trouble. Most people that will not normally listen to preaching or attend a prayer meeting act differently during the time of crisis. “Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins. They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.” ‭‭(Psa‬ ‭107‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬).
For many people, this becomes the point of entry into an eternal relationship with God. On the other hand, life’s troubles bring those who already have a relationship with God closer to Him. We pray more and seek for divine solutions to our troubles., like David said, “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71 NLT).
Similarly, God can make you lose what you love, to get your attention and to bring you back to Himself. He allowed that to happen to Peter. As an experienced fisherman, Peter could not understand how he spent a sleepless night fishing without a single catch. But that was the turning point in his life (Luke 5:8-10; John 21:6-7).
Most people will result to seeking solutions to the loss through the channel of prayer and intercession. God may eventually heal their hearts and establish them in Himself. However, better things cannot come unless you give up the good things which you tightly hold on to.
God may also cause you to lose something you love because you have become dependent on it. Or it may be someone you have become so much dependent on than God. This is not a healthy love but a toxic obsession and addiction that cause you harm. This is the kind of dependency that makes you think you can’t survive without the person in your life. What a lie! God is a jealous God and He will never permit divided loyalty. Rather, God loves you so much and wants you to be with Him and that you make Him your priority. Anyone you prioritize more than God in your life has become a god or an idol in your life, no matter who the person is (Jer‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬). Consequently, God detaches you from such distractions or idols so you can give him 100% attention.
Friends, know that the sovereign God loves you so much and will employ any means to bring you to Himself. He will remove things and persons that are capable of frustrating His purpose for your life. When He does that, it only shows that He has something far better in stock for you. Hallelujah!

Prayer points
1. Sovereign God, in Your wisdom, please, bring back Your children who are under the deception of sin in Jesus name.
2. I renounce any human or material idol in my life and I make God my life priority in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. Troubles are good if they bring me closer to God.
2. Toxic and obsessive love for someone and over dependence on man are unhealthy for me .

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng