Topic:The Devourer
Text: Malachi 3:8-11

Today, we shall examine why many why many are yet to personally receive the fulfillment of the wonderful promises, which God has given to His children this year. When God gives us promises and prophetic messages. He fulfills them to the letter. However, two things can stand in the way of the fulfillment of such promises: (1) The curse which emanates from failure to pay one’s tithes; (2) A curse which has the backing of the Almighty as a result of wrong actions taken by you. The greatest crime anyone can commit is to rob the Almighty. If you do not pay your tithes, you are deliberately bringing a curse on yourself. This is the uniform teaching of the Bible: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:11).

In other words, there is a God-sent devourer. Once the curse is pronounced, the devourer goes into action. However, if you repent and ask for mercy, He will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Secondly, if there is a curse that has been placed on you with God’s backing, you can change it by deciding to be completely on the Lord’s side. You will have to decide to do more for God than He expects. This may cause Him to change His mind. When Jacob was about to die, he called all his children together and began to bless some while he cursed some (Genesis49). When it came to the turn of Levi, he said Levi would be scattered in Israel - that is, he would become nothing in life. Later on, we discovered that God said Levi shall be His favourite. Why this change?

Exodus 32 reveals this. Before Moses returned from where he went to receive the Ten Commandments, the Israelites had started worshipping idols. Moses was angry but only Joshua was oh his side. In Exodus 32:25-26, the Bible enlightens us more: “And when Moses saw that the people were naked (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies). Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, who is on the LORD’s side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” All the children of Levi joined forces with Moses, to be on the Lord’s side. God then decided to be on the side of the children of Levi. That was how the curse placed on Levi was cancelled. If you are on the Lord’s side, whatever curse has been placed on you will be automatically cancelled. Today, I want you to take decisive steps and the Lord will bless you.

Memory Verse: II Corinthians 9:7 - “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver”.