Daily Bible Lesson. THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible? It was never just a seasoning. From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment. Let's explore what God was teaching through salt. 1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO 📖 2 Kings 2:19–22 After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho. The people said: «"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."» God instructed Elisha: «"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."» Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared: «"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)» Immediately the waters became pure. Notice something important. The miracle was not in the salt. The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power. Spiritual meaning: God can cleanse what sin has poisoned. He can restore what seemed permanently ruined. When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving. 2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT 📖 Leviticus 2:13 God commanded Israel: «"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."» Why? Because salt preserves. It resists corruption. It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt. Spiritual meaning: God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere. Our devotion should not spoil with compromise. 3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT" 📖 Numbers 18:19 God told Aaron: «"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."» Again in: 📖 2 Chronicles 13:5 God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever. In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring. A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness. Spiritual meaning: God does not abandon His promises. What He establishes, He is faithful to keep. 4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH" 📖 Matthew 5:13 Jesus said: «"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"» Salt preserves food from decay. Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world. We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it. Spiritual meaning: Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character. 5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES 📖 Mark 9:50 Jesus taught: «"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."» This points to inward spiritual character. Spiritual meaning: God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace. 6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT 📖 Colossians 4:6 Paul wrote: «"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."» Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ. Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up. 7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 📖 Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt. Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind. Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt. 📖 Deuteronomy 29:23 📖 Judges 9:45 These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE? Salt symbolizes: • Purity • Preservation • Faithfulness • God's everlasting covenant • Holiness • Wisdom • Gracious speech • Healing through God's power • A warning against corruption and disobedience THE GREATEST LESSON Salt itself has no supernatural power. The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities. Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience. The power was always God's—not the salt. Today, God still heals bitter lives. He restores broken families. He renews weary hearts. He preserves those who remain faithful to Him. The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

📖 TODAY'S BIBLE READING Tuesday, August 18 📜 OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES 19 — The Levite and His Concubine ✝️ NEW TESTAMENT 2 PETER 3 — The Day of the Lord 🎉 Congratulations on completing the book of 2 Peter! Tomorrow we begin 1 John. 🌿 MAJOR PROPHETS ISAIAH 29 — Ariel and Jerusalem 🌿 Today's Reflection 📜 Judges 19 This chapter reveals the terrible consequences of moral corruption and spiritual decline in Israel. It reminds us how seriously God views injustice, violence, and the abandonment of righteousness. ✝️ 2 Peter 3 Peter reminds believers that Christ will return and encourages us to live holy and godly lives while we wait. God's apparent delay is not forgetfulness; He is patient and desires people to turn to Him. 🌿 Isaiah 29 Isaiah warns Jerusalem about relying on outward religion while the heart remains far from God. True devotion must come from the heart, not merely from religious practice. ✨ KEY VERSE "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise... He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:9 🙏 PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us to live holy and faithful lives as we await the coming of Christ. Give us hearts that genuinely seek You, not merely outward religious appearances. Help us use every opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead others toward You. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. WE STUDY. WE PRAY. WE OBEY. WE GROW. UNTIL WE ARE TOTALLY TRANSFORMED. 📖✨🙏 🌿 TODAY'S CHALLENGE Live today with eternity in mind. Examine your heart, pursue holiness, and let your life reflect genuine devotion to God. I can also turn today's reading into the usual THE EKKLESIA picture flyer, with Judges 19, 2 Peter 3, Isaiah 29, the key verse, prayer, and today's challenge.

TODAY'S KINGDOM INSIGHTS: SERMON TOPIC: 5 THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN WOMAN SHOULD NEVER COMPROMISE. Key Scripture: Proverbs 31:30 «“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”» A Christian woman is not called to fit into the world; she is called to shine in the world without becoming part of its darkness. There will be pressure to compromise your convictions for a relationship, a job, money, acceptance, fashion, popularity, or social media approval. But remember this: What you compromise to gain today may become the very thing that destroys your testimony tomorrow. You can lose money and recover it. You can lose an opportunity and find another. You can lose popularity and still be fulfilled. But when you lose your character, convictions, and fellowship with God, the cost can be far greater. A godly woman must learn to say: “I would rather disappoint people than disappoint God.” 1. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Matthew 6:33 «“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”» Before you are a wife, mother, professional, entrepreneur, student, minister, or friend, you are first a woman created by God. Your relationship with God must not become secondary because life becomes busy. Do not abandon prayer because you have entered a relationship. Do not abandon the Word because you have become successful. Do not stop attending fellowship because you have become comfortable. Do not allow a relationship to replace your relationship with Christ. Deep Spiritual Insight Anything that takes God's rightful place in your heart eventually becomes an idol. A Christian woman must be able to say: “God is not part of my life; God is the foundation of my life.” Practical Action - Maintain a consistent prayer life. - Study God's Word. - Fellowship with other believers. - Guard your spiritual environment. - Put God first in your decisions. 2. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR PURITY AND CHARACTER 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 «“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…”» The world may tell you that purity is outdated. It is not. Holiness is not old-fashioned. Holiness is still God's standard. Your body is not merely an instrument for attracting attention. It is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul reminds believers that their bodies belong to God. Therefore, do not allow desperation for marriage, money, attention, or acceptance to push you into sexual immorality or compromising situations. A woman of God must understand: Your value is not determined by who desires you. Your value is determined by the God who created you. Biblical Example: Joseph and Potiphar's Wife Joseph was tempted privately when nobody appeared to be watching. But Joseph said: «“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” — Genesis 39:9» Notice what Joseph considered most important. He did not say, “What will people say?” He said, “I cannot sin against God.” That must also be the conviction of every Christian woman. 3. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR IDENTITY AND GOD-GIVEN VALUE Psalm 139:14 «“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”» Social media can make women compare themselves with other women. One woman looks more beautiful. Another appears richer. Another has a successful marriage. Another has thousands of followers. Another seems to have everything together. But remember: Comparison can make you despise what God created. You don't have to become somebody else to become valuable. God created you intentionally. Your identity should not be built on: - Physical appearance - Relationship status - Wealth - Social media validation - People's opinions - Titles - Material possessions Your identity must be rooted in Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 You are part of a chosen generation and a royal priesthood. Therefore, don't sell your identity cheaply for acceptance. You are God's workmanship before you are anybody's girlfriend, wife, employee, friend, or follower. 4. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES FOR MONEY OR SUCCESS Proverbs 11:1 «“A false balance is abomination to the LORD…”» There is nothing wrong with wanting success. There is nothing wrong with building a business. There is nothing wrong with becoming financially independent. But success without integrity is failure wearing expensive clothes. Never lie to make money. Never cheat to get ahead. Never sleep with someone to secure an opportunity. Never participate in corruption because “everybody is doing it.” Never allow financial pressure to destroy your principles. Biblical Example: The Virtuous Woman Proverbs 31:25 «“Strength and honour are her clothing…”» The woman described in Proverbs 31 was productive, hardworking, intelligent, business-minded, generous, and responsible. She was not weak. She was a woman of strength and honour. God does not require Christian women to be unsuccessful. He requires them to be faithful while pursuing success. 5. NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR PURPOSE AND GODLY INFLUENCE Esther 4:14 «“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”» Esther was positioned in the palace for a purpose. Her position was not merely for comfort. It was an opportunity to influence history. Every Christian woman has influence somewhere. You may influence: - Your children - Your husband - Your workplace - Your church - Your community - Your generation - Your social media audience - Young people watching your life Never underestimate your influence. Titus 2:3-5 Older Christian women are instructed to teach and guide younger women. This means Christian women are not merely recipients of spiritual knowledge. They are also carriers and transmitters of godly wisdom. Your life is preaching something even when your mouth is closed. The question is: What is your life preaching? BIBLICAL CASE STUDY: HANNAH 1 Samuel 1:9-20 Hannah experienced deep emotional pain because she had no child. She was mocked and misunderstood. Yet she took her pain to God. She did not allow her disappointment to destroy her faith. She prayed. She waited. She trusted. And eventually, God answered her with Samuel. Lesson for Christian Women Your current situation is not necessarily your final chapter. You may be waiting for: - Marriage - Children - Financial breakthrough - Career advancement - Healing - Ministry growth - Restoration But don't compromise while waiting. Never exchange your destiny for temporary relief. Hannah waited before God, and her story changed. 5 QUESTIONS EVERY CHRISTIAN WOMAN SHOULD ASK HERSELF 1. What am I tempted to compromise because I desperately want something? 2. Has any relationship become more important to me than God? 3. Does my private life agree with my public Christian testimony? 4. Am I allowing society or social media to determine my value? 5. If Jesus examined my decisions today, would I be proud of them? PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS 1. Establish non-negotiable convictions. Decide beforehand what you will and will not compromise. 2. Choose relationships wisely. Anyone who constantly pushes you away from God is not helping your destiny. 3. Protect your private life. Character is revealed by what you do when nobody is watching. 4. Build your identity in Christ. Know God's Word concerning who you are. 5. Find godly women to learn from. Don't walk alone. Learn from mature Christian women who have walked with God through different seasons of life. POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS 1. Father, give me the grace to love You above everything else, in Jesus' name. 2. Lord, strengthen me to stand for righteousness when I am under pressure to compromise. 3. Father, protect my heart, mind, body, and destiny from ungodly influences. 4. Lord, deliver me from comparison, insecurity, and the need for human approval. 5. Father, give me wisdom to recognize relationships and opportunities that are not from You. 6. Lord, help me to pursue success without sacrificing my integrity. 7. Father, let my life become a godly example to the generation coming after me. 8. Lord, restore every woman who has fallen through compromise and give her the grace to rise again. CALL TO ACTION Dear woman of God, you don't have to compromise to be accepted. You don't have to compromise to get married. You don't have to compromise to become successful. You don't have to compromise to become beautiful. You don't have to compromise to become influential. You don't have to compromise to survive. God is able to bless you without destroying you. The world may tell you: “Everybody is doing it.” But you must say: “I am not everybody. I belong to Christ.” When everybody is bowing, stand. When everybody is compromising, stand. When everybody is pursuing popularity, pursue holiness. When everybody is choosing temporary pleasure, choose eternal purpose. Your beauty will fade. Your possessions will pass away. Your popularity may disappear. But a life that honours God will leave an eternal testimony. Final Declaration I will not compromise my faith. I will not compromise my purity. I will not compromise my identity. I will not compromise my integrity. I will not compromise my purpose. I am a woman of God. I belong to Christ. My life has purpose. My body is God's temple. My character is my treasure. My faith is my foundation. And by the grace of God, I will stand! “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” — Proverbs 31:30 Stand firm, woman of God. Your generation needs the woman God has called you to become. If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar/Amazon shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem https://amazon.com/author/umohedembooks CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com

Good morning, brethren. 1. Morning devotion for today. MD.i. 😀💝🌺🎁🌹🎀 MORNING TEA THE WORD FOR TODAY FRIDAY AUGUST 14, 2O26. "PROMISES, PROMISES!' (1)" ‘…when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.’ Hebrews 10:36 NIV. MANY OF us remember singing in church, ‘Every promise in the Book is mine!’ Exciting words—but are they entirely true? If you’ve prayed for the fulfilment of a Bible promise that didn’t materialise, you may have wondered, felt disillusioned, or even stopped trusting. What’s true is that every promise in the Book intended for you, is yours! God is committed to keeping every promise He has made (Matthew 24:35). So how can you know which Bible promises are yours? Here are some scriptural guidelines to help you: 1) Be sure you understand the promise. God is committed to His Word, not to your interpretation of it. When Jesus said, ‘…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19 NKJV), His audience completely misunderstood Him, thinking He meant the literal temple when He meant His body. 2) Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. Walking in the Spirit, Peter received divine understanding of Christ’s deity. When Jesus asked, ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘…this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father…’ (Matthew 16:15-17 NIV). Soon afterwards, walking in the flesh, the same man totally misunderstood Jesus and was severely rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23). Why? Because ‘…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God…nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). So submit your thoughts to God; pray for His guidance, and in due course, you’ll get the insight you need. Bible In A Year: Judg 12-15, Matt 17:14-27, Ps 119:81-88, Pro 17:27-28. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation 💝🎀 *To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*🎀💝🌹🌷. MD.ii. [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY Ⓜ️ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS) SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *QUEST FOR REVIVAL* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🗣️🙏🏽🙌🏽 📜📜```TEXT:HABAKKUK 3:1-2```📜📜 🔑📖```KEY VERSE:``` _*"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy" (HABAKKUK 3:2).*_ *Reviewing the history of revivals in Christendom, English author and theologian, Os Guinness, states that these spontaneous supernatural acts occur during turbulent times. Examining the periods of the Christian Reformation, Revival, and Renaissance, he concludes that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn. Consequently, we should always be people of hope and prayer rather than gloom and defeatism. God can turn the situation around in a moment.* *The cleric took lessons from the experience of Habakkuk, the prophet who was struck with terror on learning from the Lord that the land of Judah would be attacked by the fierce Chaldean troops from Babylon. Already disturbed by the iniquities of injustice and impunity around him, on which he expected the Lord to act, Habakkuk was now informed that more disquietude was on the way. The prophet was made to understand that even the Chaldeans, who were to be used as an instrument of punishment, were themselves to face the wrath of God for their wickedness. His anxiety was relieved when he realised that the God of mercy he served was at the point of reviving His people in the process. He went on to intercede for precisely that.* *With humanity now also traumatised by sporadic assaults coming through technological inventions like Artificial Intelligence (AI), wars, insecurity, dysfunctional governance, threats of nuclear conflagration, there are fears that man is on the brink, looking into the bottomless abyss. Really? Not so. The Christian is challenged, rather, like Habakkuk, to plead for revival among the turmoil. It is the hour to ask for an unprecedented move of God's Spirit in the world, an event that should usher multitudes to repentance and turning to Christ for succour in trying times.* *The Lord's second coming is imminent, going by the signs we are witnessing. It is a timely call for vigilant heaven-seeking Christians to strengthen their commitment to holiness, evangelism, study of God's word, fellowship, and acts of kindness. We shouldn't be despondent as we observe the events that signal the end-time; instead, we should discern revival on the horizon.* ✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Current global upheavals are not for our anxiety, but for our action.*_ 📜📜```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOB 22-25*📜📜 Quest For Revival https://dailymanna.app// *RECOMMENDED GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS - GHS 1: ALL YOUR ANXIETY; GHS 7: TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS; AND GHS 167: I MUST TELL JESUS* *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#DailyManna15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*HIGHER EVERYD🅰️Y: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_ ✍🏽👩🏻‍💼🌻 🍇🙏🏽🛰🚀🔬📚 ```SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *THE TREASURE IN TIMOTHY* 🎚️📓📖🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```TEXT:PHILIPPIANS 2:19-24```📜📜 📖``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state" (PHILIPPIANS 2:19-20).*_ *Timothy was a youth and spiritual son of Apostle Paul. He possessed excellent qualities that are missing in the lives of many youths today.* *Timothy's life and work in the body of Christ was so remarkable that Paul confirmed that there was none that was like-minded like Timothy in following godly examples. Timothy was a selfless minister whom Paul trusted to take care of the church in Philippi.* *Many so-called Christian youths are selfish and only think about their comfort. The Lord expects us to live a sacrificial life to edify the body of Christ and to win sinners to the kingdom. As a student, you can share what you have with your friends as it is more blessed to give than to receive.* *You also need to share the gospel of Christ with your unbelieving friends to help them to see the need of surrendering their lives to Christ. We are talking about Timothy today because he had a good and godly treasure that helped to achieve much in his ministry. Are you trustworthy like Timothy?* 💬 ```QUOTE:``` _*Timothy was a selfless minister.*_ 🏆 ```CHALLENGE:``` _*Be a selfless believer.*_ 🙏🏽🙏🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, help me to be selfless and trustworthy.*_ The Treasure In Timothy https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#HigherEveryday15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:10 am] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY``` _*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣6️⃣)*_ 🙇🏼🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼🙇‍♀️🙇🏼‍♂️ ```SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2026``` *TIME IS A GIFT* 📓📖🎚️🫵🏽🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🕰️⏲️⏰⌚⏳🧎🏽🧎🏽‍♀️🙏🏽 📜📜```ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8```📜📜 🕔📚🖋️🚻😁🎼🏆🍉🪴🌈💻 🔑📖 ```Key Verse:``` _*"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).*_ 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖 Time is a gift from God to everyone. We have a lot of time on earth, but it won't last forever. Our time here will end at some point. Therefore, we must use our time wisely. That requires good planning. Proper use of your time will help you make the most of opportunities and succeed in life. There's a time for school, homework, play, house chores, and rest. Make time for prayer and Bible reading. Do the right thing when it is needed. Don't waste all your time on phones, television and games. Say no to procrastination. God does everything at the right time. He sent Jesus to die for your sins at the right time. Any time from now, the rapture will take place. The opportunity to repent and be saved won't last forever. Once the rapture happens, it will be too late. *If you are still living in disobedience, the right time for you to sincerely repent and be saved is now!* 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥 ```🅿️rayer:``` _*Dear Father, help me to be wise and to do the right thing at the right time.*_ 🙏🏽 ```📖 Further Reading:``` *2 Corinthians 6:2* Time Is A Gift https://dailymanna.app// *TXD [THEXDEVOTIONALS] on Twitter* *#SincereMilk15thAugust2026* *#GCK* *#WorshipNuggets* *#BibleNuggets* *#LeadershipNuggets* *#RevivalNuggets* *#CrusadeNuggets* https://www.youtube.com/[THEXDEVOTIONALS] [15/08, 12:11 am] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA* SATURDAY, 15TH AUGUST, 2026. *PRAYER AND PASSION FOR REVIVAL* *TEXT:* HABAKKUK 3:1-2. 1.A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. 2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lotrd, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. *Timeless Truth:* _"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word"_ (Psalm 119:25). *INTRODUCTION* Revival, in the Christian context, is the sovereign visitation of God that brings renewed spiritual life, deep repentance, holiness, restoration and fresh power to His people. There are many contemporary cases of revival in addition to the one in Bible days. Jonah was used by God to bring Revival to the people of Nineveh where all the 120,000 inhabitants got convicted and converted. There were revivals in Israel during the time of king Hezekiah and Josiah. The Early Church also experienced great revival immediately after the Pentecost. When there is spiritual coldness and indifference to spiritual things, when there is no clear distinction between the world and the Church, when saints are distracted from heavenly desire to earthly preoccupation, then revival is needed. When the saints are weak, powerless and fainting in scriptural conviction and consecration, then we need revival. When formalism and entertainment fill our worship instead of true and holy devotion to God and heavenly things, revival is needed. In order to experience revival, there must be deep concern and burden for prayer coupled with passion for revival. It takes a revived person to be an instrument of revival. *1. The Man of Prayer* a. The man God uses must be a man of bended knees with power of prayer. *"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.”* Habakkuk was not merely a prophet who preached; he was also a man who prayed. His direct communication with God was not clogged. God could express His mind and vision to him clearly and He also could hear from God and communicate with God effectively and fruitfully. He was a true servant of God that stood between God and man as mediator. He lived a life that was pleasing to God and God could speak to him about people. He dwelt in the midst of compromised and corrupted people without being defiled and with boldness to declare unto them their sins and evil as God had told him without fear or favour. His response to the difficult circumstances surrounding Judah was to seek God. The spiritual condition of a nation should drive God's servants to their knees. Revival begins when someone becomes sufficiently burdened to pray as he comes out of the cocoon of self seeking and self satisfaction. b. There is no revival that ever came in human history without people who had the passion and power of prayer from God. Habakkuk's prayer demonstrates that prayer is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of dependence upon the Almighty. The revival God wants to bring may begin with one person who is willing to stand before Him in persistent intercession. Churches need prayer warriors who will carry the burden of their generation before God. The praying saints or warriors that bring revival concentrate their prayers on heavenly things and not on earthly benefits and blessings. Earnest, consistent and persistent prayers by holy people with deep burden and passion for the glory of God, salvation of souls and perfection of saints are indispensable to a true God sent revival. *Question* Am I sufficiently burdened by the spiritual condition of my generation to become a man or woman of prayer? *2. The Manifestation of Passion* *"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid"*. Habakkuk's prayer reveals intense spiritual passion. Having heard God's Word and understood His dealings with His people, he was moved deeply. He was such a person that was not indifferent to the Word of God. The Word of God moved, burned and melted his heart. It became fire in his bones that only revival could quench. First he heard the voice of God. Second he was afraid. He was like Noah who, after hearing the Word of God, believed and *"being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house"* (Hebrews 11:7). True passion for God is not passive. It actively engages in things that will bring change and revival. b. Passion for revival means longing to see God glorified, sinners saved, believers renewed and righteousness restored. Habakkuk did not ask God merely to improve circumstances; he asked Him to revive His work. True revival passion is therefore God-centred rather than man-centred. We must pray until spiritual hunger replaces spiritual complacency. *Question* Does my prayer life demonstrate a genuine passion for God to revive His work in my generation? *3. The Mercy from the Potentate* a. What does this world need desperately from God? Mercy! The degree of worldliness and ungodliness are inexcusable. Man deliberately lives his life, spurning His Word and commandments as if God does not exist. Saints' lives are soiled with carnality, worldliness and corruption. Their focus has shifted from serving the Lord to what mundane things the Lord will give to them. b. Passionate prayer for the mercy of God is an indication that we accept that God has been offended and He is angry at us because of our coldness and carnality. It should always be a prayer point constantly. *“In the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.”* Habakkuk recognized God as the sovereign Potentate who has authority to judge, revive, restore and show mercy. He therefore pleaded, *“in wrath remember mercy.”* Revival cannot be manufactured by human ability; it must come through divine mercy and sovereign intervention. The prophet understood that although God's people might deserve judgment, God's mercy could provide restoration. This should encourage us to approach God humbly and plead for mercy upon the Church, families, communities, and nations. When God shows mercy, dry bones can live again, cold hearts can burn again and His work can flourish again. *Question* Am I humbly pleading with the sovereign God to remember mercy and revive His work in our generation? What decision are you making to be an agent of revival in your church and community? *Prayer Points* 1.O Lord, make me a man/woman of prayer, burdened continually for revival and spiritual awakening🙏. 2.O Lord, ignite within me an unquenchable passion for Your glory and the advancement of Your work 🙏. 3.O Lord, the sovereign Potentate, revive Your work in the Church, in families and throughout our nation 🙏. 4 Lord, in wrath remember mercy; pour out Your Spirit, save the lost, restore the backslidden and let genuine revival come upon our generation 🙏. *HYMN:* Come Holy Spirit *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOB 22-25. 2. Morning Prayer for today. MP.i. Morning Prayer [It is of] the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. ⏤ Lamentations 3:22-23 God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go. ⏤ Tony Evans Lord, You created us in Your own image so that we might truly be Your children. We come to You this morning seeking Your favor. Please take away anything that hinders us from fully experiencing Your love. Just as the rising sun drives away the darkness, may Your love drive away the shadows in our souls. As the morning light spreads across fields and valleys, may Your grace surround us and fill us with Your holy love. We confess that we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We have not lived in a way that honors You. We want today to be the best day we’ve ever lived. Please give us special grace, a special measure of Your Spirit, so we can stay close to You. Help us to do our everyday work better—more skillfully, more neatly, and more quickly than ever before. Help us to keep You in our thoughts as we go about our tasks. Give us more of the mind of Christ so that we may be sweet-spirited and kind-hearted. May Your love shine through us so that we reflect You in everything we do and say. Sanctify our influence on others. Many of our friends need Your help and blessing today. Some will find their duties hard because they are discouraged. Life hasn’t been easy for them. They’ve faced setbacks and losses. Please remember them and bless them in their discouragement. Keep them from losing heart. Give them courage and hope, and sustain them with Your grace. There are homes in distress because loved ones are sick. Please bless those homes tenderly. Spare the lives of those who are ill if it is Your will. We ask for these mercies, confident in Your compassion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/41/morning #taptapstudio #youdevotion.

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 9–10 | 2 Corinthians 13 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 9 God’s Judgment and the Certainty of His Word 2 Kings 9 marks a decisive turning point in Israel's history as God begins carrying out the judgment He had previously announced through Elijah. Elisha sends one of the sons of the prophets to anoint Jehu as king over Israel. This private act of anointing is more than a political transition—it is the beginning of God's righteous judgment against the house of Ahab for years of idolatry, injustice, and rebellion. Jehu immediately responds to God's calling with decisive action. The military leaders quickly recognize God's hand upon him and proclaim him king. What follows is not merely a change in leadership but the fulfillment of God's prophetic Word. Every event unfolds exactly as the Lord had declared years earlier. Jehu confronts King Joram and later King Ahaziah. Both kings experience the consequences of the spiritual corruption that had spread through Ahab's household. The narrative demonstrates that while God is patient, His warnings should never be mistaken for indifference. His judgment may be delayed, but it is always certain when people continually refuse to repent. The chapter reaches its climax with the death of Jezebel. For years she had promoted Baal worship, persecuted God's prophets, and manipulated justice for personal gain. Her end fulfills Elijah's prophecy in remarkable detail, proving once again that God's Word never fails. Human power, influence, and wealth cannot prevent the accomplishment of God's purposes. Throughout these dramatic events, the emphasis remains on God's faithfulness rather than Jehu's military ability. The Lord is bringing history into alignment with His covenant justice. He alone determines the rise and fall of kings. Theologically, 2 Kings 9 reveals both God's patience and His justice. He gives repeated opportunities for repentance, but persistent rebellion eventually brings judgment. The chapter also demonstrates that every prophecy spoken by God will be fulfilled exactly as He has declared. This chapter points to Christ, who will one day return as the righteous King and Judge. Unlike Jehu, whose mission was limited and imperfect, Jesus will establish perfect justice throughout the earth. His judgment will be completely righteous, and His kingdom will never end. For believers today, 2 Kings 9 reminds us that God takes sin seriously while remaining perfectly faithful to His Word. We should never presume upon His patience or delay obedience because judgment seems distant. In Christ, we have received mercy through the cross, and we are called to live in faithful obedience, knowing that our righteous King will ultimately establish perfect justice. 2 Kings 10 Zeal Without Wholehearted Obedience 2 Kings 10 continues Jehu's mission to remove the house of Ahab and eliminate Baal worship from Israel. The chapter begins with Jehu carrying out God's judgment against Ahab's descendants. Though these events are difficult to read, they demonstrate the seriousness of God's earlier warnings. What He had spoken through His prophets is now fulfilled completely. Jehu also confronts those who remained loyal to Ahab's family, bringing an end to their influence. The chapter repeatedly emphasizes that God's Word through Elijah has come to pass. The Lord proves once again that His promises and His warnings are equally certain. One of Jehu's most significant actions is his destruction of the temple of Baal. Through careful planning, he gathers the worshipers of Baal into one place and removes this center of idolatry from Israel. In doing so, Jehu accomplishes an important aspect of the task God had given him. His zeal for eliminating Baal worship appears commendable and demonstrates courage in confronting open rebellion against the Lord. Yet the chapter also reveals a serious weakness in Jehu's heart. Although he removes Baal worship, he refuses to abandon the golden calves established by Jeroboam. He eliminates one form of idolatry while tolerating another. His obedience is partial rather than complete. This becomes the defining lesson of Jehu's reign. God commends him for carrying out His judgment against Ahab, yet the nation does not experience lasting spiritual renewal because Jehu himself never fully follows the Lord with all his heart. Outward reform without inward devotion cannot produce lasting transformation. As a result, the chapter concludes with Israel beginning to experience military losses. The nation continues to decline because true revival requires more than removing outward sin—it requires wholehearted love for God. Theologically, 2 Kings 10 teaches that partial obedience is not the same as complete surrender. God desires hearts that are fully devoted to Him, not selective obedience based on personal preference. Religious reform alone cannot replace genuine relationship with the Lord. This chapter points to Christ, who fulfilled the Father's will perfectly. Jesus did not obey partially or selectively but completed every aspect of God's redemptive plan. Through His perfect obedience, believers receive the righteousness they could never achieve on their own. For believers today, 2 Kings 10 challenges us to examine whether there are areas of compromise we have allowed to remain in our lives. It is possible to be zealous for certain aspects of God's work while still holding onto idols of the heart. In Christ, we are called to wholehearted obedience, surrendering every area of our lives to His lordship. True spiritual transformation begins when our devotion to God is complete, and our desire is not merely to remove obvious sin but to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 2 Corinthians 13 — Standing Firm in the Christ 2 Corinthians chapter 13 brings Paul's letter to a fitting conclusion by calling believers to examine their lives, pursue spiritual maturity, and remain united in the Christ, the Son of God. After defending the integrity of his ministry and repeatedly pointing the church back to the gospel, Paul ends with a pastoral appeal rather than a personal victory. The redemptive plan is not simply about correcting error but about producing mature disciples who faithfully reflect the character of the Christ. The chapter begins with Paul's preparation for another visit to Corinth. He reminds the believers that sin cannot simply be ignored. God's desire is always restoration, but restoration requires honesty, repentance, and obedience. Christian living involves a willingness to receive correction because the Son of God disciplines those He loves. His purpose is never destruction but the strengthening of His people. Paul addresses those who questioned his authority and sought proof that the Christ was working through him. Rather than responding with pride, he points to the example of Jesus Himself. The Christ willingly embraced weakness through His suffering and crucifixion, yet He now lives in the power of God. This becomes a pattern for every believer. The redemptive plan often displays God's greatest power through what the world considers weakness. Christian living is not built upon self-sufficiency but upon continual dependence on the risen Son of God. One of the central themes of the chapter is self-examination. Rather than spending energy evaluating others, believers are called to examine their own relationship with the Christ. This examination is not intended to create fear or uncertainty but to encourage genuine faith and continued spiritual growth. The Son of God desires hearts that remain sincere, humble, and fully devoted to Him. Paul expresses his prayer that the Corinthians would do what is right, even if it meant they no longer needed his correction. His goal was never to prove himself but to see the church walking faithfully with the Christ. This reflects the heart of true spiritual leadership. The redemptive plan always seeks the maturity of God's people rather than the recognition of His servants. The chapter also emphasizes the purpose of spiritual authority. God gives authority within the church to build up His people, not to tear them down. The Christ uses faithful leaders to strengthen, encourage, correct, and equip believers for greater obedience. Christian living flourishes when truth is spoken with love and authority is exercised with humility. As Paul closes the letter, he gives several practical exhortations that summarize much of what he has taught throughout both Corinthian letters. Believers are called to rejoice, pursue maturity, encourage one another, live in unity, and remain at peace. These qualities are evidence that the redemptive plan is actively transforming hearts. The Son of God does not merely save individuals; He creates a unified people who reflect His love and truth together. The letter concludes with one of the most beautiful blessings in the New Testament. Paul points to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This closing reminder reveals that every aspect of Christian living depends upon the work of the triune God. The grace provided through the Christ, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit sustain believers as they walk in God's redemptive plan. Throughout this chapter, the Christ remains the central focus. He is the standard by which believers examine themselves, the source of their strength, the model of humble obedience, and the One who equips His people for faithful living. The redemptive plan reaches beyond forgiveness into lifelong transformation, producing believers who increasingly reflect His character. For believers today, this chapter calls us to live with honest self-examination and unwavering devotion to the Christ. Christian living requires humility, repentance, and a continual desire to grow in spiritual maturity. We are reminded to pursue unity, encourage one another, and remain faithful to the truth of God's Word. As we rely upon the grace of the Son of God, walk in the love of the Father, and depend upon the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we become living testimonies of His redemptive plan and reflect the glory of the Christ to the world around us. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

Our Prayer for the Nations Tonight Heavenly Father, As we go to bed tonight, we lift before You the nations and peoples who are suffering under oppression, political injustice, poverty, unemployment, conflict, and bad governance. Remember those whose voices have been silenced, those who struggle to feed their families, young people whose opportunities have been taken away, and communities that have lived too long without peace and dignity. Your Word says: “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy and shall break in pieces the oppressor.” Psalm 72:4 (KJV) Lord, we ask You to rise for the poor, the oppressed, the displaced, and the forgotten. Give wisdom and conscience to those who govern nations. Turn the hearts of leaders toward justice, accountability, compassion, and peace. Restrain those who use political power to oppress their people and raise up leaders who will serve rather than exploit. We also remember the teaching of the Book of Mormon: “And now, my brethren, I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath.” Mosiah 4:21 Teach us, Lord, not to look away from the suffering of others. Give us generous hearts and willing hands to help those in need. Open doors of honest employment and opportunity for the unemployed. Provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, education for children, and hope for families struggling under poverty. Where there is war, bring peace. Where there is oppression, bring freedom. Where there is injustice, establish righteousness. Where there is poverty, provide provision. Where there is unemployment, open doors. Where there is corruption, raise voices of integrity. Where there is despair, restore hope. Father, make us instruments of Your peace. Give us courage to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and wisdom to pursue justice without hatred or violence. As we sleep tonight, watch over the nations. Protect the innocent, strengthen the suffering, comfort those who mourn, and prepare a better tomorrow for those who have almost lost hope. May Your justice prevail, your peace reign, and Your mercy reach every oppressed people and every struggling family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

When we look closely at the Bible, we come to understand a profound truth about Satan. God cannot forgive him—not because God is not merciful, but because Satan’s rebellious decision was deliberate, permanent, and without repentance. Humanity is given an opportunity for grace and salvation; but the fallen angels deliberately chose to reject God and never turned back from that decision. Satan was originally created as a perfect angel—full of beauty, wisdom, and light. But pride arose in his heart. Isaiah 14:12–15 describes his ambitious rebellion. He said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven… I will make myself like the Most High.” But he was cast down into the depths of darkness and separated from God’s presence. Ezekiel 28 also illustrates this—that even being created perfect is not enough to protect someone from the corruption of pride. The Bible clearly tells us that his end is eternal. Matthew 25:41 says that God has prepared eternal fire for Satan and his angels. Revelation 20:10 says that they will be tormented forever and ever. This is not revenge—it is the righteous consequence of a choice they made willingly and irrevocably. According to God’s plan, salvation is offered to humanity. Hebrews 2:16 reminds us that Jesus came to save the descendants of Abraham, not angels. Jude 1:6 tells us about the fallen angels, saying that they have been kept in bondage for judgment on the great day. Even today, Satan continues to oppose God. He deceives people and tempts them, and there is no sign of repentance in him. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be watchful and alert because of him, while Revelation 12:9 reminds us of his continual deception. From all of this, we learn a serious yet comforting truth: God’s mercy is real, but He respects the choices we make. Satan’s rebellion shows us the seriousness of turning away from God; but at the same time, it reveals the depth of God’s grace toward humanity. God’s plan is unshakable, His judgment is perfect, and His love never ends—and for those who repent and put their trust in Him, His grace is always available.

Why Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? Pastor Joseph Clark — August 11, 2026 “Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man? — Friedrich Nietzsche “All thinking men are atheists.” — Ernest Hemingway “There is something infantile in the presumption that somebody else has a responsibility to give your life meaning and point…” — Richard Dawkins One of the most frequently asked questions of pastors is this: If God is all-powerful, merciful, and loving, why does He permit so much suffering and evil? If God is good, why doesn't He simply stop it? It is an important question, and Christians should not be afraid to confront it. My answer may not satisfy everyone, because Christianity does not teach that we are entitled to understand every purpose of God. Scripture says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God” (Deuteronomy 29:29). We know what God has revealed; we do not know everything He has withheld. We must also distinguish between what God causes and what God permits. God is sovereign over His creation, but Scripture does not teach that God is the author of sin. James tells us: “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” — James 1:13 So why does God permit suffering? The answer begins with this: Suffering has a purpose within God's redemptive plan. That does not mean that suffering itself is good. Evil is evil. Death is an enemy. Sin is rebellion against God. Scripture never asks us to call evil good or pretend that tragedy does not hurt. Rather, Christianity teaches something far more profound: God is so sovereign that He can take even suffering, tragedy, injustice, and evil and use them to accomplish His purposes. The greatest example is the cross of Jesus Christ. Human beings intended the crucifixion for evil. Yet God used the cross to accomplish the redemption of sinners. Peter declared: “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” — Acts 2:23 The cross therefore gives us the foundation for understanding suffering. God does not need evil to be good, but He can sovereignly use what is evil to accomplish what is good. 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. Paul writes: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” — 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul does not say that suffering is pleasant or insignificant. He calls his troubles “light and momentary” only when compared with the immeasurable weight of eternal glory. Cancer, grief, betrayal, violence, injustice, poverty, persecution, and death are very real. Christianity never asks us to pretend otherwise. But Scripture teaches that God can take even terrible circumstances and use them for purposes that reach beyond this temporary life. That is part of God's redemptive plan. God is concerned not merely with making our earthly lives comfortable. He is preparing us for eternity. Think of the thickness of a Bible. If that represented eternity, our earthly existence and worldly suffering is so short and fleeting, it would be like a single page. That does not make suffering pleasant. It puts suffering into an eternal perspective. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. The Bible does not present this world as the paradise God originally intended. Sin entered God's creation through human rebellion, and its consequences spread throughout humanity. Romans 5:12 says: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” We also contribute to suffering ourselves. Human greed, hatred, selfishness, violence, lust, pride, corruption, and injustice have consequences. Scripture describes Satan as the ruler of this present fallen order. “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), while Paul calls Satan “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Yet Satan is not God's equal. Satan operates only within the limits God permits. The book of Job makes this remarkably clear. Job suffered terribly, yet God remained sovereign. Job did not understand the reason for his suffering, but he ultimately came to a deeper knowledge of God. In the middle of his suffering, he declared: “I know that my redeemer lives.” — Job 19:25 We may never know whether a particular hardship is a test, a consequence of human sin, an attack of the enemy, or simply the result of living in a fallen world. But we do know this: God can redeem it. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance. Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 13. Some people had been killed by Pilate, and others had died when a tower collapsed. Jesus specifically rejected the idea that these people were necessarily worse sinners than everyone else. Then He said: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” — Luke 13:3 Jesus did not use tragedy to give a philosophical explanation. He used it to confront humanity with the reality of eternity. Suffering reminds us that this world is temporary. Death is real. Eternity is real. Judgment is real. Salvation is real. Sometimes suffering causes a person to ask questions that prosperity never would: Where is God? What is the meaning of life? What happens when I die? Am I ready to meet my Creator? And ultimately, those questions can lead us to Jesus Christ. God can use suffering as an instrument that turns a person's heart toward Him. 4. Free will has consequences. God created human beings capable of genuine love, obedience, rebellion, and choice. Love without choice is meaningless. God could have created humanity like robots programmed to say, “I love You,” every hour. But programmed affection is not love. I can program my phone to tell me it loves me every hour. That does not compare with hearing my child freely say, “Dad, I love you.” God gave humanity meaningful freedom. But meaningful freedom necessarily carries consequences. If God prevented every sinful action before it happened, human freedom would cease to have meaningful consequences. We cannot simultaneously demand genuine human freedom and demand that God prevent every consequence of human choices. Much of the suffering in this world is the direct or indirect consequence of human sin. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. The Christian life was never promised to be painless. Peter writes: “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” — 1 Peter 5:10 Paul says: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” — 2 Timothy 3:12 Jesus Himself said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 Christianity does not promise escape from every hardship. It promises that Christ will be with us through it. We are called to carry our cross, follow Christ, persevere under trial, and allow God to shape us through circumstances we cannot control. James writes: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12 Suffering can therefore become part of God's sanctifying work in us. It can teach perseverance. It can expose what is in our hearts. It can strip away pride. It can deepen our dependence upon God. It can produce compassion for others who suffer. And it can make us long more deeply for the day when Christ will finally make all things new. 6. Without suffering, we would have little understanding of the seriousness of eternity. This is a difficult point, but it must be considered. If humanity lived forever in a world without death, pain, consequence, or hardship, we could easily become convinced that this temporary world was all that mattered. But Christianity teaches that this life is not the end. There is salvation and there is judgment. There is heaven and there is hell. There is eternal life and eternal separation from God. The suffering and brokenness of this world remind us that something is profoundly wrong with creation—and that we need redemption. The Gospel announces that God has not abandoned us to that brokenness. He entered it. 7. God did not merely watch suffering from heaven—He entered our suffering through Jesus Christ. This may be the most important answer of all. God did not respond to human suffering by remaining distant from it. Jesus Christ suffered. He was betrayed, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, humiliated, crucified, and killed. He experienced rejection, physical agony, injustice, and death. And then He rose again. The cross demonstrates that God can bring the greatest good out of the greatest evil. The crucifixion was humanity's greatest act of evil against the Son of God, yet God used it as the means of redemption. That is the heart of the Gospel. God redeems. He redeems sinners. He redeems broken lives. He redeems suffering. He redeems tragedy. And ultimately, He will redeem creation itself. The Christian therefore does not worship a God who says, “I have no idea what suffering feels like.” We worship a Savior who can say, “I have been there.” I Understand That Suffering Hurts I do not write this as someone who has never suffered. I have experienced betrayal, divorce, sin, self-loathing, false accusations, slander, threats, persecution for my faith, serious family crises, illness among people I love, and the tragic deaths of friends. Others have suffered far more than I have. I have not experienced every form of grief, and I would never pretend otherwise. I do not claim to be an expert on suffering. But I know the One who is. And the answer I offer is not ultimately my own philosophy. It is the testimony of Scripture. For those who say, “I don't expect special treatment. I simply want to live a good life without hurting anyone or being hurt myself,” my answer is this: Stay faithful. Walk with Christ. Keep going. You may not understand everything God is doing. Job didn't. Joseph didn't. The disciples didn't understand the cross. But God's purposes were greater than what they could see. From Crisis to Opportunity Suffering can become a defining moment. The question is not always, “Why did this happen to me?” Sometimes the better question is: “Lord, what will You do with what has happened to me?” We cannot control everything that happens to us. But, by the grace of God, we can choose how we respond. We can become bitter—or we can become faithful. We can turn away from God—or we can run toward Him. We can allow suffering to destroy us—or we can allow God to use it to deepen our faith, strengthen our character, increase our compassion, and sanctify our lives. That is why suffering can become an opportunity. Not because suffering itself is good. But because God is good, and God can bring good out of what is not good. Romans 8:28 gives us this extraordinary promise: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice that Scripture does not say that all things are good. It says God works in all things for good. That distinction matters. The Christian response to suffering is therefore not denial, despair, or rebellion. It is faith. We remain steadfast. We help those who are suffering. We practice mercy. We refuse to create unnecessary suffering for others. We forgive. We pray. We persevere. And above all, we look to Christ. He suffered. He died. He rose again. And because He lives, suffering and death do not have the final word. Why, Then, Does God Permit Suffering and Evil? 1. God can use suffering for an eternal purpose. 2. Suffering exposes the reality and consequences of sin. 3. God can use suffering to bring people to repentance and salvation. 4. Human freedom carries real consequences. 5. Suffering can become part of our sanctification. 6. Suffering reminds us that this life is temporary and eternity is real. 7. God entered our suffering through Jesus Christ and ultimately defeated sin and death through His cross and resurrection. There is one truth that holds all seven points together: Suffering has a purpose in God's redemptive plan. We may not understand every reason God permits a particular tragedy. We should never presume to know God's specific purpose in another person's suffering. But we can know that suffering is not beyond His sovereignty. The cross proves it. The empty tomb proves it. And the promise of Scripture proves that one day God will finally and completely deal with everything that causes suffering. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” — Revelation 21:4 Until that day, we remain faithful. We suffer with hope. We serve with compassion. We persevere with courage. And we keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus Christ—the One who suffered for us, died for us, rose again for us, and promises that one day “the former things have passed away.” Christ wins. And in Christ, suffering is not the end of the story.

🕊️ DOMINION DAILY DEVOTION ~ DAY 223 DATE: 11TH AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM ANCHOR SCRIPTURE:2 CORINTHIANS 6:17 (NKJV) “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’” Devotional message God raises people within a generation to become instruments of transformation and deliverance. Therefore, we must arise and take our rightful place. But there is a condition: if you must become a deliverer, you cannot continue participating in the bondage from which you are called to deliver others. The Apostle Paul commands us, “Come out from among them and be separate.” This is a call to separation—not isolation from people, but separation from the sinful patterns, values, and practices that oppose God. Moses provides a powerful example. Although he had been raised in Pharaoh's household, there came a time when he refused to identify himself with the privileges and identity of Egypt. Hebrews 11:24–25 tells us that by faith Moses, when he had become of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Child of God, you cannot become a saviour while remaining a captive to the same darkness. You cannot effectively pull someone out of a pit while you are still sitting in the same pit. You cannot lead people into holiness while deliberately embracing immorality. You cannot preach freedom while remaining enslaved to sin. You cannot become light to a generation while continually participating in the works of darkness. Scripture says, “For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” (2 Peter 2:19). Whatever you continually submit yourself to can eventually gain mastery over you. Therefore, when others are complaining, do not automatically join them. When others are compromising, choose obedience. When others are engaging in immorality, choose purity. When others are embracing corruption, choose integrity. When others are walking in darkness, choose to walk in the light. This does not mean that we become self-righteous or condemn those who are struggling. Rather, it means that we position ourselves in Christ so that we can become instruments through whom God brings them out. Light does not overcome darkness by becoming dark. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). The reason light is valuable in darkness is because it remains light. If the light becomes darkness, it loses its ability to illuminate. Child of God, your generation needs people who will be different. Your family needs someone who will break ungodly patterns. Your community needs someone who will choose righteousness. Your workplace needs someone who will uphold integrity. Your nation needs men and women who will refuse corruption and pursue justice. You cannot deliver others from the darkness you have refused to leave. Prayer: Heavenly Father,Thank You for calling me to become an instrument of transformation in my generation. May I never become a captive of the very darkness You have called me to confront. Keep me separated unto You so that You can work through me to bring freedom, restoration, and transformation to others.In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Bible Reading: 2 Cor 6:14–18,Heb 11:23–29,Ex 2:11–15 ,Eph 5:8–14,Matt 5:13–16 Author : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi Contact : Email : Dominionvoicesminisrty[gmail].com Facebook : Alfred Wabuko Manyasi 🌐 Dominion Daily Devotion, 2026 © Dominion Voices Ministry

⚖️ When the Lord said with His divine mouth: "Do not judge," 👑 He revealed to us the reason for our non-participation in judgment, and uncovered for us the corruption lurking in the soul; for He said: "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:2) So how are we judged, or why are we judged according to the measure of judgment specific to us? First: Because it is a measure without goodness and mercy. Second: Because it is born from self-defense, which is the "wound" of that "hidden disease," i.e., death. Third: Because by that same measure we have placed God in the scale of our own judgment, which places us completely outside of communion with Him and His divine love. How great is the ruin we fall into when our souls lack the correct spiritual sense of God's goodness and mercy, and what inheritance do we think we will receive! #Judgment #DoNotJudge #Mercy #SelfReflection #CommunionWithGod