Text: Genesis 22:1-3, 9-18
Memory verse:
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew ‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬).

You will provoke divine restoration when your will and desires begin to give way for the will and desires of God. Whatever you lose for Christ’s sake will be restored to you and in a better state.
Let’s see few examples of people in the Bible who lost their lives or something precious for His sake.
First is Abraham. After waiting for 25 years to have Isaac, the Lord told Abraham to go and sacrifice him. Abraham didn’t hesitate but immediately, went ahead to do it. He was about slaughtering Isaac when the Lord stopped him and provided a ram as a substitute. Some may say that he didn’t lose Isaac but he already did it in his heart and God accepted it as such (Heb 11:17-18). He lost a son to get many sons and a generational blessing ‭‭(Gen‬ ‭22‬:‭16‬-‭18‬).
Similarly, the three Hebrew men lost their lives for not worshiping the golden image of the king. They chose to be thrown into the king’s fiery furnace rather than choosing the option of worshiping the king’s golden image ‭‭(Dan‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬).
After all, they didn’t only gain their lives back but they gained them with greater honour (Dan 3:30).
What about Esther? Having discovered her life’s purpose, which was to save the Jews, God’s covenant people, she offered to lose her life. She lost her life the moment she decided to enter into the king’s presence uninvited ‭‭(Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭16). Again, rather than perishing, her life and that of the Jews were preserved.
Likewise, the apostles declared that nothing could separate them from the love of God in Christ (Rom 8‬:‭35‬, ‭38‬). This is the point. People who lose their lives for the pleasure of God’s kingdom get them back with dividends! Contrarily, people who love their lives, spouses, marriages, parents, children, jobs, business, money and honour more than God, in an attempt to save them at trying times, usually compromise their faith. They eventually lose what they try to save, now and in eternity!
Friends, do you truly love God more than your life or earthly goods? Genuine love for God and His pleasure is an antidote against falling in trial and a guarantee of divine restoration after losses. Hallelujah!

Prayer points
1. Father, please, help me to love you more than life, gold, earthly honour and anything in Jesus name.
2. Father, let nothing be able to separate me from Your love in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1. Genuine love for God is an antidote to falling in the time of trial and guarantees the restoration of all losses.
2. What a person attempts to save in the time of trial by compromising will eventually be lost now and in eternity.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng