Open Heavens 15 January 2025 Wednesday – Identifying The Jericho Wall 2

Open Heavens 15 January 2025 Wednesday – Identifying The Jericho Wall 2

MEMORISE: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33

READ:  2 Samuel 13:1-14 Open Heavens 15 January 2025

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

Open Heavens 15 January 2025

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 47-50

MESSAGE: – Open Heavens 15 January 2025 Wednesday Daily Devotional

Today, I will continue the discussion I started yesterday on the factors that can hinder a person’s progress. Sometimes, the wall hindering your progress could be someone you have a relationship with. Many people don’t know it, but sometimes, even the people you love may be a hindrance to your progress.

In Genesis 12:1-5, Abraham took Lot with him when God called him to leave his family behind and go to a place that He would show him. However, it wasn’t until Lot separated from him in Genesis 13:14-17 that God spoke and showed him the land He had promised. The spiritual authority a person submits to can also hinder the fellow’s progress (1 Kings 13:1-24). This is why you must carefully choose your spiritual father or mentor with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

John 15:20 says that the servant cannot be greater than the master. Whomever you choose to be your master will determine how far you can go. Prayerfully choose someone who is constantly growing so that there won’t be a limit to your progress. Another kind of person that can be a wall of Jericho that is hindering your progress is your friend. To a great extent, those you call your friends will determine how far you will go in life.

This was why Solomon warned his son in Proverbs 1:10-15 not to keep company with certain kinds of friends. When I became born again, one of the first things I did was to change my friends. It was painful, but if I had remained in their company, I would never have come this far in life. Amnon would have lived a long and good life as a son of David, but he ended up badly because he had the wrong friend. In 2 Samuel 13:3, the Bible says, “But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab…”

There are some people who pose as friends but are actually like the wall of Jericho. If you have such friends, stay away from them because they are enemies of progress. If you have a friend who you only gossip with, but you never pray or discuss the Bible, that friend will become a hindrance to your progress.

If you have friends whose pieces of advice are always contrary to what the Bible says and are always encouraging you to reduce your dedication to God, such friends are a wall of Jericho between you and God’s perfect plan for your life. Beloved, please run away from such friends.

Prayer Point – Open Heavens 15 January 2025

Father, please help me to stay away from friends that will hinder my progress in life, in Jesus’ name.

Open Heavens 15 January 2025 Wednesday Hymn

HYMN 28: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 

1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer,

pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but you are mighty;

hold me with your powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore,

feed me now and evermore.

2 Open now the crystal fountain,

where the healing waters flow.

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,

ever be my strength and shield,

ever be my strength and shield.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,

bid my anxious fears subside.

Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,

land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises

I will ever sing to you,

I will ever sing to you.

I pray you will be blessed for reading Today’s Open Heaven Daily Devotional, The Almighty God will continue to direct your and your family’s path as we all head to heaven. Kindly ensure you purchase the hard copy this Year Open Heaven Devotional from your Local Redeemed Christian Church of God Parishes or Bookshop. Read Yesterday Open Heavens for 14 January 2025 Tuesday.

Remember to always share the Gospel and the Word of God to everyone close to you, Heaven is real and God is coming soon. As you do so the God of Pastor E.A Adeboye will continue to bless you and your family. Amen. Open Heavens 15 January 2025 Wednesday