DAY 5, Read Psalm 98:1; Judges 11:30-32 in NLT
Key Text: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor.15:57).
In the Bible, there are five acts or deeds we can identify with the mighty hand of God. First, God’s hand stands for His favour, His power, His grace, His miracles and wonders (Dt.4:34-37; 5:15; Jos.4:24; John 10:28, 29). Second, the mighty hand of God is displayed either for blessing or judgement. Third, the mighty hand of God provides for our needs (Psalm 104:27, 28). Fourth, as earlier indicated, the mighty hand of God is for deliverance. With it, He delivered Israel from Egypt (Ex. 6:1; 15:6, 12). Fifth, the mighty hand of God is also for battle and for victory (Psalm 118:15, 16).
Our victory over Satan as Christians came through the cross. The cross reminds us of the sacrifice and victory of Christ over Satan; while the resurrection of Christ reminds us of His victory and eternal presence. Because of these two events we have victory today. Now, our faith rests on the victory of His death and resurrection.
That Christ defeated Satan is a fact, but we know that experientially we are still involved in an intense day-to-day conflict with the devil (Eph.6:12-18). Though Christ has won victory for us, there are many areas in life experiences we are yet to experience this victory. One true measure of the mighty hand of God is when we begin to walk in victory over those issues that trouble us.
The areas we need constant victory include:
Victory over sin (Rom.6:10-14; Isa. 59:1-3); victory over temptations (Matt. 6:13; 1 Cor.10:13; 1 Pet.5:8,9); victory over the flesh (Rom. 7:17-25; 8:10-13); victory over pride; victory over sickness (1 Pet.2:24); victory over death ( Heb. 2:14,15); victory over poverty (2 Cor.8:9); victory over evil (Rom. 12:21); victory over fear (Psalm 27:1-3; 34:4); victory over anger; victory over malice and jealousy; victory over lack of forgiveness; victory over sickness; victory over our enemies (Isa. 41:10-14); and constant victory over Satan (Rev.12:7-11).
In Isaiah 66:14 and Jeremiah 16:21, God promises to make us know His power and His might. When we know His power and might we shall walk in complete victory.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the victory of Jesus on the cross, may His victory over Satan, over the flesh and over the world become a reality in every area of my life.
PRAYER FOCUS FOR WEEK 1
REFLECTION
Try and reflect on what lessons you have learnt this first week of the fast and how to apply them to your situation. What progress have you made in prayer and the study of the word of God?
In this first week, let us reflect on what is the purpose of the fast. Why must you make sacrifices to wait on the Lord for this whole period? The purpose of the fast includes the following:
• To know God more intimately (Phil.3:10; John 10:15).
• To enjoy Him and fellowship with Him (Mk.3:13-15).
• To grow in grace and the knowledge of Him (2 Pet.3:18).
• To receive strength from Him for service, strength for the ministry, strength and wisdom to expand the kingdom and to carry out the Great Commission (Isa.40:29-31; Psalm 84:11).
• To experience His mighty power in our lives; to experience revival, renewal, reformation and transformation; to have our vision renewed and to have our pressing needs met. Pray about all these.
What are the issues and problems you are facing in your life? Ask God to release the power of His mighty hand upon the situations of your life.
PRAYER FOR THE NATION: One of the greatest challenges the nation is facing now is how to secure the release of the over 200 Chibok students/ girls taken hostage by Boko Haram.
Thank God that the location of the girls is now known. As efforts intensify about their release, let us pray for God’s intervention.
Pray that God will expose all those who are conniving with Boko Haram or financing them to commit the crimes they have been committing.
Pray against terrorism and insecurity in the country. Pray that God will enable our military to defeat Boko Haram.
Pray for the success of the National Conference. Pray that God would raise up vessels who would be his mouthpiece at the National Conference.
Pray for up coming elections in 2014 and 2015. Pray that the elections will be peaceful, free from corruption, violence and rigging.
Pray for the national elections scheduled in 2015. Many pessimists especially politicians have predicted doom for Nigeria in 2015. Some of them have said that President Goodluck Jonathan may be the last president to preside over a united Nigeria. Others are calling for complete regional autonomy. Many see these predictions as signs of the fulfillment of an earlier prediction that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. Pray that God would confound the sceptics.