Open Heaven 22 April  2022 Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye –Topic: SMITING THE ROCK AGAIN? 

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Open Heavens 2022
Date: 2022-04-22
Topic: SMITING THE ROCK AGAIN?

Memory Verse: Numbers 20:12 – And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children if Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. Numbers 20:12
Bible Reading: Numbers 20:1-12

ALSO READ: Open Heaven 21 April  2022  –Topic: DON’T BE DESPERATE FOR THE SPOTLIGHT 

Message: In Exodus 17:1-6, the children of Israel were thirsty so, God told Moses to strike a rock that water may come out of it for His children. In Exodus 17:6 the Bible says:

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it. that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

You see, the Lord our God is the Rock (2 Samuel 22:23). He was with the Israelites all through their journey in the wilderness and this further validates Hebrews 13:5 where God said He would never leave nor forsake us.

In the Bible reading for today, God told Moses to speak to the rock, but instead of speaking, Moses smote it and God was angry with him. The Lord is not to be smitten twice. The first time Jesus was smitten on the cross of Calvary, He gave us living water which is the Holy Spirit. After that time, we are to speak to Him. Anyone who smites Him again is inviting the wrath of God. Hebrews 6:6 says whenever you sin, you are crucifying Christ the second time. In Hebrews 10:26-27, the Bible says:

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

If after you have gotten to know Christ and His blood has washed away your sins, you then go back into sin, you are inviting the wrath of God. Proverbs 26:11 says it is dogs that go back to their vomit and Revelation 22:15 says the place of dogs is outside. The word ‘backsliding’ denotes a gradual process backwards. Check your life: are there some things that you stopped doing when you became born again, but now you are gradually going back to them? Stop those things immediately! Don’t smite the Rock the second time! Don’t invite the wrath of God upon your life.

Hymn: I’m Pressing On The Upward Way
Points: Are you moving forward or sliding backwards in your walk with Christ?
Bible in one year: 2 Kings 15, 2 Kings 16, 2 Kings 17

Title: I’m Pressing on the Upward Way.
Chorus: Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table-land;
Where love, and joy, and light abound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground..

  1. I'm pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining everyday;
Still praying as I onward bound
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

  2. My heart has no desire to stay 

Where doubts arise, and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My constant aim is higher ground.

  3. Beyond the mist I fain would rise,

To rest beneath unclouded skies,
Above earth’s turmoil peace is found
By those who dwell on higher ground.

  4. I long to scale the utmost height,

Though rough the way, and hard the fight,
My song, while climbing, shall resound
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.

  5. Lord, lead me up the mountain side

I dare not climb without my Guide;
And, heaven gained, I’ll gaze around,
With grateful heart from higher ground.

Open Heavens 2021 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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