Cost of Failing God- Open Heavens Daily Devotionals by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jer 41-44
COST OF FAILING GOD Wednesday, December 22, 2010
MEMORIZE: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5) READ: Joshua 1:1-5 Apart from knowing we have a multi-dimensional calling, another lesson from 1 Samuel 16:1-14 is that God always has a substitute. Do you know that if Saul had not failed God, Jonathan would have succeeded him? That means David might never have become king. We learn from this that God is a true business man.  He thinks and plans ahead of storms. He rearranges situations, events and even his servants to fit into a void caused by the failure of someone. One of my sons today is a senior pastor in this mission. God never told him he would be a pastor although God’s hand was upon him. One day, he was interviewed by his pastor and sent to head a parish from which the founding parish pastor had resigned. It took him by surprise as he solemnly protested that God kept him in the dark. What happened was sudden. The opportunities that the original pastor should have had have suddenly been transferred to him. If Saul had not disappointed God, David could have ended up as the national chief instrumentalist or musician but because Saul failed God, David’s scope of relevance was broadened. This tells us that one man’s misfortune is another man’s advantage. As long as you remain faithful and patient with God, you will rake the glorious destinies of those who fall by the way side. In addition, when someone disappoints God, it will expedite the promotion of somebody else. Someone who was originally slotted by God to occupy a post in 5 or 10 year’s time may suddenly find himself in that position. This was what happened to Joshua. This tells us to be ever prepared. Do not limit yourself to your present level. Take personal steps to develop yourself and gifts. Study the Word far ahead of others.  Be known for excellence. If Moses had not failed God, he would have led them to Canaan, and have lived many years in that land as his resting period before being called home to glory. Then, Joshua would have waited many more years to succeed him. Moses died suddenly (even at 120 years) just because he failed God. That means if you fail God, you have lost any justification to live. In any case, some people who may be smiling with you now are earnestly wishing you to fail God so that they can succeed you. Make sure you disappoint them! ACTION POINT: Failing God makes others take advantage of you. However, it is possible not to fail God.  Cry to God for grace never to fail Him. N.B Support the RCCG PROJECT today, God will surely surprise you as you do it.