Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 25 August 2024 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission | Topic: NO MAN WILL STEAL YOUR DESTINY

Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 25 August 2024 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission | Topic: NO MAN WILL STEAL YOUR DESTINY

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NO MAN WILL STEAL YOUR DESTINY

“And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.” Genesis 38:29 (KJV)

At the time of the delivery of Zara and Pharez, something strange and unexpected happened. It appeared at first that Zara would be the first. But Pharez appeared unexpectedly, confusing the midwives and causing them to ask: How did he break through? The midwives were so concerned about who comes first and who comes last because the anointing of the firstborn must not be truncated. So, whoever is the firstborn must be rightly determined. So, when Zara put out his hand, the midwives tied his hand with a scarlet thread. They said that Zara was the first to come out because, as a firstborn, you carry the mantle of the family and the double portion anointing. In other words, any time they shared anything, the firstborn had a double portion.

While waiting for Zara to come out, Pharez unexpectedly came out forcefully. They never saw it coming, but he came. The name Zara was used as a reference to sunshine. It means to rise or shine. In this case, the name symbolises somebody who shines or rises—those who shine very early in life step ahead of every other person.

At birth, Zara started first; he put out his hand and showed a sign that he would be ahead. However, childbirth is not determined by the coming out of the hand but by the head. Zara did not put out his head but his hand. He was behind but only tried to steal the lead from his brother. He wanted to shine ahead of time. It was a false representation. All around, you will always meet destiny stealers like Zara. But I declare to you that no one will steal your destiny. No man will take your place! You will break through barriers and obstacles that are placed in your pathway.