Set Your House in Order

 STRENGTH FOR MY DAYS 
A Daily Devotional by Bishop David Bakare

Set Your House in Order

Tuesday, 3 September

 

Set thine house in order.... Isaiah 38:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: 1 Kings 18:20-40 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

 

MORE LESSON: Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

The instruction God gave to King Hezekiah through Isaiah the prophet is worthy of our close attention. God said to him in Isaiah 38:1: Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. I believe God that you shall not die but live, and declare the glory of God (Psalm 118:17). However, you need to set your affairs in order.

There are so many people living very disorderly and disorganized lives. The family is in turmoil, business is in shambles, finances are in tatters, relationships are broken down, there are unpaid bills, unfulfilled promises and unmet obligations. Their entire life is a maze of confusion: this is not the will of God for you. His will is specified in Romans 8:28-29: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. You do not have to wait until death is approaching before you sort out your relationship with God and men. Do it now and with the help of the Lord, your life will be at peace.

The following steps will help you in sorting out the affairs of your life.

* Take some time off - probably a few days - to rest, reflect and meditate before the Lord on the issues of your life. Examine your life in prayer and in line with the Word of God.

* Take a closer look at your relationship with God. Is anything amiss? Set yourself apart to humble yourself before God and sort out whatever is the problem.

* What is your family relationship like? Reflect closely on it and straighten out whatever needs attention.

* Examine your career, your business, your profession and means of livelihood. Is everything alright or is there any area where you need God to help you? Pray about it, if there is.

* Closely consider your finances. How is it? Ask for God's help and take definite decisions.

God will be generous in pouring out His mercy upon you. He has said that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

* What about your relationship with other people? Look at it critically and work out a way of peace for yourself. Whatever has disturbed your peace and hurt your conscience should be given proper attention.

Invite God to help you as you take vital decisions. Do whatever you need to do to put the affairs of your life in good order, and the peace of God shall flood your entire life.

 

Prayer/Action

* Give thanks to God who is able to make the crooked affairs straight.

* Ask the Lord to bring order into your life and give you peace all-round.

* Pray that the order of God will reign in every aspect of your national life.

 

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: Father, I command September to be for landmark testimonies, in the excellent name of Jesus.