DIVINE ANNOUNCEMENT

11/25/2022

"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 17-18)

Very often, the Lord announces His kids in public spaces for two reasons. First, these ones have done the required work in terms of their character and no matter what storms they may encounter, the Lord trusts that they will not succumb in terms of their faith. "Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) God announced Job to Satan, because of the impeccability of his character. This is why self-promotion and self-announcement are dangerous if your character is not yet up to par with God's expectations. Jesus himself said, "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30).

The import of this is to work on your character by the word of God before seeking the recognition or validation of people. No matter where you are or what you do, you were designed to be a witness of Jesus Christ and one thing that witnesses have is an audience. As a mean to work on your character, the Bible says to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"(Colossians 3:16). So be lavish about the presentation of the word of God to your spirit by every means possible.

The second thing that is associated with divine announcements is tests. After God announced Job and Jesus, tests followed. In Jesus' case, the Bible says, "Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him" (Mark 1:12-13). Announcements in the spirit attracts the tester.

Now, the Bible says in 1 Peter 4:12-13, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." In other words, do not think that the persecution or test you face after God announces you is an attack, no. It is for further promotion.

But the warning in today's devotional is simple. Don't announce yourself, particularly in the area of God's calling on your life, testify of God's goodness and let God announce you to others either by Himself or by the prophet He has placed over you. Do the work of a witness and give glory to God.

God bless you

Faith-Filled Confession

I am in God's timing for my life. I refuse to entertain any fear about my future because God is on my side. The Lord announces me in my due season. And His beautification colous every aspect of my destiny. In Jesus' name. Amen

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Ezekiel 27-28; James 4