Open Heavens 2nd February 2018: Friday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye
Memorise: “Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” – Proverbs 29:26
Read: Esther 5:1-3 (KJV)
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
Bible in One Year: Exodus 22-23, Romans 8:1-17
MESSAGE
Today’s Bible text tells a bit of the story of Queen Esther, who was divinely favored. From her experience, we can learn quite a few things on divine favor. For example, you will observe that she put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house before she was granted favor. Why did she put on her royal apparel? Apart from the rule that she could not come before the king uninvited, it would also have been rude, uncomplimentary and indecent for the queen to have attempted to approach the king in her night dress or kitchen overall. Today, what used to be our mother’s underwear is what some women wear to parties, and even to their workplaces. No wonder divine favor is alien to many of them. It’s been said that you will be addressed the way you are dressed. To obtain divine favor in the sight of God, you need to be clothed in your royal apparel of righteousness which Christ gave to you when you received salvation (Revelation 1:5-6, 19:8). You will also observe that when the king saw Queen Esther, the sight of her produced divine favor, as he then held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. When your time of favor comes, the first thing is that you will be identified for attention. My prayer is that the Almighty King of kings will look in your direction and identify you for His favor today in Jesus’ Name. In Genesis 18:1-5, Abraham was sitting in front of his tent, just relaxing at home, when favor located him. After his show of hospitality, the carriers of favor wiped away his tears of so many years as they declared these words to him in Genesis 18:10:
“…I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son…”
The Lord will cause His favor to produce declarations that will wipe away your tears in Jesus’ Name. Our memory verse indicates that the favor Queen Esther enjoyed was actually divine in nature. Indeed, before appearing before the king, she had first sought the Lord’s favor, and this was what later manifested itself as favor with the king. Esther 4:16 says:
“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
I therefore encourage you to seek the Lord’s favor and stop cutting corners. Live a life that is pleasing to the One who has the heart of those who must favor you under His control, and you will not be denied your rights in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, please send help to those who must favor me today, and compel them to release all my blessing that You have kept within their custody in Jesus’ Name.
Hymn 12: Take My Life, And Let It Be
1.Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
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