The Privilege of Well-Being

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 

A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

The Privilege of Well-Being

Saturday, 17 August

 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. Psalm 3:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Lamentations 3:21-26 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

 

MORE LESSON: Psalm 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

 

There are acts of benevolence of God that men receive and take for granted. For example, sleeping and waking up every day is by God's mercy but people take it for granted (Psalm 3: 5). So men sleep, wake up and jump to start another day without even acknowledging what they have received from God. Having food and being able to eat, having water and being able to drink, and breathing air freely are gifts and privileges that we receive from God. The fact that everything is alright with a man is not a right but a gift of privilege from God. A man's approach to life generally takes a new perspective when he realises that everything good about his life is not a right but a privilege and gift from God. It is only when things go wrong that most people complain. When things are alright, they take it for granted. As a wise child of God, you must learn to see everything you have as a gift and privilege from God and live in gratitude.

Well-being is not a right, it is a gift. Being at ease in life is not a right, it is a privilege. This is the reason you should learn to reciprocate the kind gestures of God on a daily basis. The first way to reciprocate is to thank Him for everything in life. As you praise Him for the kindness you have received, there is an increase of privileges He gives to you. According to His Word, Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us: Psalm 67:5-6.

You should also reciprocate God's privileges by living in righteousness and the fear of the Lord. Recognising that your life is a gift from God, you should live with a consciousness of Him. As you live in the fear of the Lord, He multiplies His gifts in your life. Psalm. 25: 12 – 13 says, What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

You should also reciprocate by extending God's goodness to others. As you become aware that all you are and have are not earned rights but privileges of grace, you should extend the same grace to others by seeing to their well-being not because they deserve it but because you are being gracious to them. Remember, . . . freely ye have received, freely give: Matthew 10:8.

God is committed to your well-being as an act of privilege to you. He has determined that your good is His priority. Learn to embrace His blessings with a consciousness that they are privileges and also extend privileges to others.

 

Prayer/Action

* Thank God for sustaining you every time you sleep and wakeup.

* Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to help you to walk in righteousness everyday of your life.

* Appreciate God for the gift of life and well-being.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, I renounce and rebuke every work of darkness in every area of my life today, in the powerful name of Jesus.