Divine Intervention
Text: Luke 7:11-17; 2 Kings 4:1-7, 8-17 Memory verse: ..
I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the
desert. Isaiah 43:19 Introduction: Our text is full of how
divine help were received by the people who were helpless.
They obtained mercy and divine intervention. Infact the
Bible itself is a library of books containing how several
men and women were divinely helped. In this study we shall
examine these men and women in the Word of God. We will
check if there is any pre-requisite condition that made them
to be worthy. We will equally see how God can intervene in
our own affairs too. Prepare yourself as the Lord open your
heart to receive of Him.
(1) Examples of Divine Intervention Ex. 1:8-17,22; 2:1-10,
23-25. In these verses and in our text we see examples of
both individual and communal intervention of God in both
their lives and situations. We will check these examples to
bring us to a point of knowledge that what God had done He
will equally do again. What is the situation of things with
you? May be you have arrears of unsolved problems from the
past year(s) and you are still not sure of what this new
year has in stock for you. May be you are threatened with
the memory of past "difficult years". You may need to check
along how God intervened in the affairs of the following
examples.
(a) Abraham: Gen. 12:1-5; 15:1-6; 17:1-8; 18:11-14; 21:1-8.
How long did Abraham waited? Was he denied of God's promise?
Promise God to wait on Him till your day of joy come.
(b) Bartimeus: Mark 10:46-52. He prayed and the Lord
answered. You must pray more than you did last year.
(c) The woman with the issue of blood: Mark 5:25-34. God
needs your faith. Believe God for even the impossible.
(d) The Man at the Pool of Bethesda: John 5:1-9. Remember
that God is still going about with mercy today. This year
you will receive the mercy of God. Mention and discuss more
people that were divinely visited.
(2) Pre-requisite for Divine Intervention Divine
intervention is always from God and no man can do it on his
own no matter how strong. Despite this, we also have our
role to play so that God can divinely intervene in our
affairs. For God to therefore intervene in your case the
following must be noted and be done by you:
a. Faith: Heb. 11:6; Mk. 11:22-24. To several people that
Jesus healed or intervene in their cases, His word is always
be it unto you according to your faith or your faith has
made you whole (Lk. 5:20&22; Mk. 5:34; 10:52; Matt.
9:22,29). If you will simply believe God this year without
doubting Him, He will divinely intervene in your life.
b. Prayer: Matt. 7:7-11. Several people who were divinely
visited simply said their prayer by asking for their need.
Bartimeus cried, Hannah prayed at Shiloh (1 Sam. 1:10-12).
So also Jabez (1 Chro. 4:9&10). You only need to come to God
with boldness in prayer and you will experience God (Heb.
10:22).
c. Obedience: Isaiah 1:19. To obey is better than several
sacrifices of prayer, fasting etc. Abraham obeyed and God
acted to time (Gen. 22:10-19)
d. Holiness: Heb. 12:14. Do you want to see God working
miracles in your life this year? You only need to walk in
holiness and you will discover that only holy people are
recipients of divine intervention. There are many more
pre-requisite for divine intervention. Mention and discuss
them practically.
(3) The Last Intervention Whatever miracle anybody witnessed
or partook of here on earth is both earthly and temporary.
The major, lasting and permanent intervention is what all of
us are waiting for. Remember that we must through much
tribulation get to heaven (Acts 14:22). Death is an
intervention to report to heaven for punishment or reward
(Heb. 9:2-7; Lk. 16:19-26). Note that death does not
discriminate with any age group. However, it is not only
death we are waiting for. Hear Jesus again in John. 14:1-3.
We will not all die but we will all be changed (1 Cor.
15:51-54). This is part of the expected intervention of God
for His children. Those of us alive must be ready for a more
important intervention greater and better than any earthly
blessing (1 Thessa. 4:14-18; 5:1-6). Your pronouncement
should be like the second to the last verse of the Bible
that says ".come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20). How much
preparation are you making for His coming?
Your Response: It is not in the nature of God to force
anything on anybody. For any blessing including divine
intervention, there must be willingness and yieldedness to
the hand of God. Watch what others did. Take time to study
your bible this year for you to discover and partake of
God's blessings (1 Tim. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:15). As God gives you
leading, do not play or joke with the leadings of God for
your life. Take and follow His instructions. Be wise in your
approach to issues (Pro. 22:3). Remember the five wise
virgins. Their wisdom was in their fore-sight. Bath your
plan in prayer before taking action and never neglect
counsels of the Godly and wise people (Pro. 11:14; 15:22).
What are other things we must do? Discuss
Conclusion: God will surely visit you as He had promised
this year, if you have carry over from last year, do not be
troubled about that, believe God and you will also become a
bearer of testimonies. God bless you. Remain rapturable.
Rev Debo Adeyemo ppraise@skannet.com
Director, Bible Questions of the Week
