The vision will speak- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Ruth 1-4
THE VISION WILL SPEAK Monday, May 03, 2010
MEMORIZE: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab. 2:3) READ: Habakkuk 2:1-3 Holiness is a key to realizing our life’s goal.  In Genesis 39:7-9, when Portiphar’s wife tried to lure Joseph to sleep with her, he asked: “How can I do this evil and sin against God?” He knew how paramount holiness was in achieving his life-longdream. Many people have traded their glorious destiny for momentary pleasures. Anyone who tries to lure you into sin is sporting for your failure. No matter how close, the fellow wants you doomed. Always look beyond that attractive, promising sinful offer as underneath lies the worst form of destruction.  Usually, even after God makes a promise, you will need to wait in righteousness until it comes to pass. Most life-long promises may almost take a third, quarter or half of a lifetime to fulfill. They may not be immediate! Let us take the example of David. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, he was anointed as king in the midst of his brethren. The seed of greatness had been sown in him, yet, for many years, he was nowhere close to the throne. Why? It takes a process for a male child to become a man. He must develop in various areas. He would learn to crawl, walk and start kindergarten.  Sooner or later, somebody would have to give him a beating on his way to school. He would cry back home. Sometimes, he would have to go to school under rain or shine and be weather-beaten.  And finally, he grows up into a man. Anyone who skips the stages in growing up could still attain the age of 40 yet he is not considered mature for lack of experience. Due process must be observed or else, such a fellow would be strange and would find it difficult to cope with daily challenges of life or to become relevant to himself and others. There is a process of growth you must follow spiritually. This was why the Israelites were deliberately made by God to take the longer route into their promised land. A journey of 40 days became one of 40 years just for them to mature in the process. Without this, they would lack what it takes to sustain their victory and remain on top. Several years after being anointed king, David became the king of Judea and finally the king of the whole of Israel. That means he was first what we call a state governor before he became the president of the nation of Israel. On the day he was made king of Israel, he must have looked back to the day he was secretly anointed king. Does God’s promise to you appear delayed? You are only undergoing your preparatory process! As long as you keep away sin, but continue in faith, obedience and humility, the vision  will speak at its appointed time. ACTION POINT: Thank God for all God’s Generals all over the world and what the Lord is using them to do through their ministries. Ask that the Lord will sustain them in holiness.