Text: Revelation 2:18-23
Memory verse:
“Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” Revelation 2:22
Many believers treasure God’s attributes of love, grace and mercy but are never comfortable with His justice because divine judgment deals with the issues of sin. Such people emphasize God’s love and downplay His judgment. Coming to terms with these issues is vital for our spiritual journeys. To God, sin is a grievous issue, a rebellion against Him. It is a betrayal of His love, hence judgment gushes out of His holiness and His hatred of evil. The God of love is also the consuming fire (Heb 12:29)
God loved Israel and delivered them from slavery in Egypt through His powerful hand. He gave Egypt for their ransom and Ethiopia and Sheba in their place ( Isa 43:3). Three times, Balaam attempted to curse Israel but God wouldn’t allow him because of His love for them. “Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” (Deu 23:5). Yet, when Israel began to commit sexual sin, God Himself rose against them and brought a curse on them. He sent a plague among them and in one day, twenty four thousand of them died (Num 25:6-7).
Sexual sin is the sin against the sacredness of your body which was made for God-given and God-designed love (1 Cor 6:18). Your body is the house of God and it is blood-purchased and blood-sanctified. Sexual sins defile, vandalize and destroy this sacred temple but not without great consequences (1 Cor 3:16-17). In our memory text, God promised to mete out judgment of suffering, sickness and anguish on the adulterers unless they repent.
Friends, not all sufferings and sicknesses are satanic attacks. Some are just divine judgments of sins. Flee all forms of sexual sins and earnestly pray for all believers who are under this deception.
Prayer points
1. Father, please let the fear of You keep me from all sins so I can keep Your temple holy in Jesus name.
2. Father, bring all Your children who are under the judgment of sexual sins to repentance and cause mercy to prevail over judgment in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1.Coming to terms with the fact that God is a God of love and of judgment keeps me from abusing grace.
2. It’s just normal for God to fight against anyone who attempts to vandalize His house.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng