TOPIC: HE PREPARES AND TRAINS YOU

Saturday, 10th May, 2025.

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME DSc DD

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation (Psalm 107:7).

When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, He didn’t lead them through the way of the Philistines, although it was the shorter route to the Promised Land. The Bible says God avoided that path because He knew the people hadn’t been trained for war and therefore would flee in fear when the enemy confronted them. They were slaves in Egypt, untrained and unprepared for battle.

As a result, the Lord led them through the longer way of the wilderness by the Red Sea, where they witnessed His signs and wonders and experienced His provision. Through this journey, God revealed Himself to them as Jehovah Rapha, their physician, and Jehovah Rohi, their shepherd. When they eventually faced battles, they called Him Jehovah Nissi, their banner who gives them victory.

This progression shows that God prepares and trains His people, building their faith and confidence in Him before they confront greater challenges. You might find yourself wondering why certain things are happening in your life. Perhaps you’ve been born again for several years, and yet some situations seem inexplicable despite your prayers. Relax and trust His process. Declare, “I am learning and growing." Glory to God!

I remember holding my first crusade at the age of fifteen. Before the crusade, I went from house to house, in street evangelism, sharing the Gospel wherever I could. I preached during workers’ break times, in schools to little kids, and to people my own age. Not everyone listened, but that didn’t matter. Jesus said to preach, and I obeyed.

Though I saw good results then, they didn’t compare to what we experience today because I needed to grow. Back then, God didn’t bring together twenty thousand people for me to preach to at once because I wasn’t ready. Reaching such a number required a lot more, and I had to grow into that capacity.

We often want things to move fast, don’t we? That’s why we create faster vehicles and computers. But God is the Ancient of Days. He works according to His divine patterns, timing and purpose, preparing us for what lies ahead.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for leading me in the way I should go and preparing me for the life of victory and excellence you’ve ordained for me. I trust in your divine wisdom and timing as I grow in competence and capacity to fulfil your purpose for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

*FURTHER STUDY Exodus 13:17-18 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18 But God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

Romans 5:3-4 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

IF YOU ARE NOT YET BORN AGAIN, KINDLY SAY THIS PRAYER TO RECEIVE SALVATION NOW!=>

𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

We trust you have been blessed by this devotional. We invite you to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life by praying this

“𝐎 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭, 𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐞’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞; 𝐈’𝐦 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥! 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐣𝐚𝐡!”

Congratulations! You are now a child of God

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan=> John 5:1-30 & 1 Kings 4-6

2-Year Bible Reading Plan=> Mark 9:14-29 & Numbers 13