EUPHORIA Devotional (The spirit of joy, an ecstasy that comes from God) September 16, 2025 PERSUADED BY GOD’S WORD REV. AROME E. TOKULA Hebrews 4:2 - For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being MIXED WITH FAITH in those who heard it. If there are any struggle believers have in walking with a God they can’t see, it is the fact that their minds aren’t fully persuaded about the truths found in scriptures. It is possible to hear the Word of God and only mentally assent to it without being persuaded to act upon it. This is exactly what happened to the children of Israel after they left Egypt. They rejoiced and danced. They sang, “... I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:1). They were happy and excited at God’s great deliverance from Egypt but when they found themselves in the wilderness and were hungry, they started complaining and murmuring (Exodus 16:2-3). They knew the power of God and His ability to save but weren't persuaded about it. Rather than judging God faithful through the situation they complained and murmured. Despite all the amazing things that God did for the children of Israel, the Bible says in Psalm 78:32-33 that, *In spite of this THEY STILL SINNED, and did NOT BELIEVE in His wondrous works. Therefore, their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear.” Their sin was that they refused to be persuaded concerning the Word of God. This is why our text says that the message or the Word didn't profit them because they didn’t mix it with faith. It literally means they weren't persuaded about what they heard! It is not enough to just hear the Word of God; it is vitally important to be persuaded about that Word. By persuasion, I am talking about tenaciously holding on to the Word regardless of any contradictory circumstance or evidence. The way to build this kind of unswerving confidence in the Word of God is through constant meditation (i.e., pondering and deep thinking) in the Word. It is through meditation that the Word of God takes root in the core of your consciousness. Jesus taught in the parable of the sower that the seeds that fell on rocky ground (Mark 4:6) are the ones, “... who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they HAVE NO ROOT IN THEMSELVES, and so ENDURE ONLY FOR A TIME. Afterward, WHEN tribulation or persecution arises for the WORD’S SAKE, IMMEDIATELY THEY STUMBLE” (Mark 4:16-17). Tribulation and persecution will always arise for the sake of the Word that you hear and this is why it is very important to allow the Word of God take root through meditation so that when the hard times come, you'll emerge with testimonies and victories born from the Word of God. DECLARE I am what the Word of God says I am. I have what it says I have and I can do what it says that I can do in Jesus name. Even in the midst of contradictory circumstances and evidences I have made up my mind that the WORD of God defines my realities. I am not giving up and I am not quitting; I stay in the arena of faith as revealed to me in the Word of God. There is no way I can lose because my faith is anchored on the Word of God. PONDER It is not enough to just hear the Word of God; it is vitally important to be persuaded about that Word. #IOFWithPastorArome #MorningDevotion #Euphoria #Devotional #September #MonthOfRest #2025_TheChristOurLord