MFM Daily Devotional 22 December 2023
TOPIC: The Rewards of Righteousness
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 38:1-8
38 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,
3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,
5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
7 And this shall be a sign unto thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he hath spoken;
8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
MEMORY VERSE
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Proverbs 21:21
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES: Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:
As you follow after righteousness, God’s honour and glory shall be yours everyday of your life, in the name of Jesus.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP: Take praise and worship songs led by the Holy Spirit.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Haggai 1 – 2; Revelation 3 – 4
Righteousness is a distinctive mark of true believers. It is a gift from our righteous Father. It is the believer’s key to all-round fulfilment. The Bible says, “Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
All people (believers and unbelievers alike) must understand the rewards of righteousness. This will encourage more people to follow after righteousness and enjoy its eternal blessings. Let us examine some of the rewards of righteousness:
The first reward of righteousness is that it promotes life and honour. When God commanded us to follow after righteousness. He has some rewards for those who would obey: His own kind of life (Zoe). abundant life and eternal life, a lifestyle of upright living or right standing with God as well as honour.
READ MFM Daily Devotional 21 December 2023 – Keys to Divine Health (IV)
Proverbs 21:21 underscores this point. “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness and honor.” Proverbs 11:19 buttresses this point when it says that righteousness tends to life.
The truth that righteousness promotes long life is exemplified in the story of King Hezekiah of Judah. In Isaiah 38, the Bible recounts that Hezekiah was sick unto death and God sent Prophet Isaiah to him. God’s message through His prophet was clear: “Set your house in order: for thou shall die and not live.”
The Bible affirms that King Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall and prayed unto the LORD. His prayer points reveal his right standing with God, which paid him great dividend. Hezekiah beseeched God to remember that he had walked consistently with Him God in truth and with perfect heart.
He had consistently done what is good in God’s sight. Then he wept sore. God found Hezekiah’s defense to be true and granted his plea. Hence, God sent Prophet Isaiah back to King Hezekiah with good news. God’s word through Isaiah was, “Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father.
I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will add unto thy days fifteen years. And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city” (Isaiah 38:4-6).
Beloved, it pays to be righteous!
MFM Daily Devotional 22 December 2023 Prayer Points
MORNING
1. Father, clothe me with the robe of righteousness, in the name of Jesus.
2. I receive the grace to maintain a consistent righteous walk with God, in the name of Jesus.
3. I overcome the power of sin and death, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. I receive life and honour, in the name of Jesus.
5. I receive long life as reward for my righteousness lifestyle, in the name of Jesus.
6. I shall seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness all the days of my life, in the name of Jesus.
7. Righteousness is my badge and identity, in the name of Jesus.
