Open Heavens November 10, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa 52-54

PROVOKING AFFLICTION

MEMORIZE: "A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin" (Proverbs 26:28)

READ: Genesis 31:36-42

“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psalms 119: 67). Besides hypocrisy and sin, another factor responsible for affliction is backsliding. There is no one who turns his or her back from God that will not be afflicted. Such afflictions are two pronged: from God and Satan. When you dump God, He equally dumps the fellow. Hebrews 10:38-39 says the backslider is destined for destruction. But before he goes to hell, because God no longer takes pleasure in him, he will become a victim of his enemies. Another reason a backslider will be hit by the forces of darkness is because such a fellow once tormented them while in Christ. Have you fallen from favor with God, the satanic kingdom will come for their pound of flesh. A backslider lives in fear. He has no peace. No certainty of future bliss. However such afflictions are avoidable.

According to Genesis 27:1-46 and Genesis 32:11, maltreatment of others is acause of affliction. Jacob sold a plate of porridge to his brother in exchange for his birthright. Later, he deceived his brother and stole his blessing. That led him into exile. For many years he could not return home. He suffered in many ways. He worked for Laban but his wages were constantly reviewed downward. He worked for seven years to marry his heart throb - Rachel. After the wedding, he discovered the following morning that he was given Leah her elder sister. So he had to work for another seven years to get Rachel. He lived in fear of death. He was afraid that all his possessions could be destroyed in one day. Have you been oppressing others in your office, parish, family, neighborhood? Repent and restitute before your seed yields a bad harvest.

The mouth of some people is what is responsible for their afflictions. Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin”. The mouth has a tremendous role to play in the destiny of the body. You must be very careful what you use your mouth to say. If you keep confessing that times are hard, dry and difficult, they will remain so. Even when the rains are positioned at your direction, such negative confession will turn them away. Many predicaments that befall believers are a product of past negative confessions. If the situation is unpleasant, confess something positive about it. Maintain your positive disposition and confession and expect it to come to pass.

ACTIONPOINT: It is foolishness to bring afflictions to yourself rather than prevent them.