OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, JULY 23RD 2017- DANGERS OF FINANCIAL STORMS I

Memorise: The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. Proverbs 14:20
Read: Proverbs 14:20-22
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 21:22, Ezekiel 13:20-14:11

1. Peace is desirable because it signifies everything that is calm, quite and in order.
2. On the other hand, storms are undesirable because they bring turbulence, trouble, fear and absence of rest.
3. While all storms are bad, a financial storm is one of the worst storms that can hit the foundation of an individual, family or community.
4. One reason why financial storms are more deadly is because they can trigger off other storms. For instance, Proverbs 14:20 says, “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.”
5. This means that because of the poverty of the poor, many of his neighbours prefer to avoid him. Some would even develop hatred for him just for that reason.
6. This describes the attitude of many unsaved people to their poor neighbours. 
7. It is most unfortunate that some believers also follow this evil trend. This has led to the formation of cliques and factions in places where there should be unity and togetherness. Psalm 10:2 says that only a wicked and proud fellow would subject the poor to such treatment. Some Church leaders cannot stand seeing those who are not well-to-do. As a result, they discriminate against them, using every excuse in the book. They appoint only those who are rich into positions, even when they know that the poor are more ideal for such positions. If you are involved in such discriminatory practices, remember Psalm 12:5 which says that when the poor cry out to God, He will arise on their behalf against their oppressors.
8. Are you hated by your neighbours because of the financial storms you are confronted with? Fear not! According to Psalm 69:33, the Lord will hear your cry today and bring you out of poverty and reproach.
9. Moreover, financial storms can make an individual contemplate suicide. In 1st King 17:12, due to the financial storms that the widow of Zarephath was going through with her son, she decided that they should just take their last meal and afterwards die.
10. Have you found yourself in a similar situation where you are contemplating or have even attempted suicide? Stop right there! Suicide can never solve your problems. It is worse than going from frying pan into fire. See your pastor, tell him your situation and see what he can do to help.
11. However, more importantly, call on the Lord to deliver you from the challenges you are confronted with. I rebuke every spirit of death suggesting suicide to you right now! I pray that hope be restored in your heart right now in Jesus’ Name.

Col 1:27 makes us understand that “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Anyone who is in Christ should never be hopeless except you are not truly committed to Him. Suicide is devil’s plight against anyone goings through trial so as to deprive them of their miracle. When there is Christ in you, be sure of victory over every storm. We shall rejoice over every storm for the God of Peace will release peace into our lives in Jesus name. God bless Pastor E.A Adeboye and equip him for greater works in Jesus name.

Action Point
If your financial storm is so bad that you feel seriously pressured to commit suicide, just know that your turnaround is truly around you. Don’t ever quit, and don’t kill yourself!
HYMN
1 Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
2 Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well.
Ours is such a full salvation,
all, all is well.
Happy, still in God confiding,
fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
all must be well.
3 We expect a bright tomorrow,
all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
‘All, all is well.’
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
in our living, in our dying,
all must be well.

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