June 28                                          Hos 5 - 7

RIDING DEATH

MEMORISE: ‘When Jesus heard that, he said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but of the glory of god, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”’ (John 11:4)
READ: 2 Kings 20: 1-7

Some sickness are fatal and some not. Those not ‘unto death’ usually have a purpose and the name of the Lord is magnified. According to Mark 5:21-42, Jarius’ daughter was sick and died. ‘When Jesus heard that, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:4). The purpose of her sickness was to bring her father to Christ. The sickness of one of my children led me to Christ. The sickness of Lazarus was not unto death but for certain reasons: to glorify God and also that Jesus could prove to the world that he was indeed who he said he was – the Resurrection and the Life. Jesus always stood by his word and lived up to his names and titles.

To prove he is the Bread of Life, he fed about 5 000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fishes, yet the leftovers were more than what he started with. As the Light of the World, Jesus saw a man who was blind from birth and gave him sight. To prove he is the Way, he ensures that no devil is able to block your path by making a way for you out of the woods. Jesus is dependable. In which situation do you need his touch today? Call on him and it will change. Moreover certain sicknesses are unto death. This, according to Hebrews 9:27, is by divine appointment. That is how I know I cannot die before my appointed date. If you live a life pleasing to God, eat heathly and rest when you should, you cannot die before your appointment with God. In fact, as he told peter shortly before his death (2 Pet 1: 13-14), the Lord will tell you of your appointment before the time. Then you will choose whether you are ready for it or want it deferred (Phil 1: 23-24).

Hezekiah was told when his appointment would be but he was not ready, so he appealed to the Court of Heaven and was awarded an additional 15 years. Do not waste your time thinking about death. You will not die before your time. Whether you live or die, all things are yours (1 Cor 3: 21-23). Some will ride death as a horse into glory. Those who have to go before the rapture will be attending the bachelor’s party before the Great Wedding, while others will go at rapture. Decide, and prepare for your exit into eternity.

ACTION POINT
Command every spirit of death programmed against you, your family
and my area of your life, to return to sender in Jesus’ Name.