Open Heavens 18 June 2015: Thursday daily devotion by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Divine Commendation

Topic: Divine Commendation [Thursday June 18, 2015]

Memorise: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. - Matthew 25:21

Read: Matthew 25:15-21 (KJV)

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Bible in one year: 2 Kings 8:16-9:37, Luke 9:7-27

MESSAGE:

You are blessed when a great man commends you for executing an assignment well. Very much more, when God commends you for a job well-done, you are exceedingly and greatly blessed. Commendation is the direct opposite of condemnation. May you not be condemned in this world and in the world to come in Jesus’ Name. The wealthy man in our Bible reading commended the servant with five talents who gained five more talents. He also commended the servant with two talents who gained another two talents. However, the one with one talent went and hid his talent in the ground, because he felt he was not given his due to trade with. On the day of reckoning, he was condemned.

Our Lord Jesus Christ promised that He would commend those on His right hand side on the day of reckoning. In Matthew 25:34 He said:

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;”

What do we do to obtain this divine commendation? One of the things we can do is to show the compassion of Jesus to the needy: feed the poor, clothe the naked and house the homeless (Matthew 25:35-36). Another channel for receiving divine commendation is exercising uncommon faith. A centurion, whose servant was sick, demonstrated uncommon faith in the power in God’s Word, and he received divine commendation for this in Matthew 8:10:

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily, verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

God celebrates people who exercise faith in Him. This is the reason why the Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Those who endure to the end in the Christian race will also receive divine commendation. In Revelation 2:26, our Lord Jesus promised that:

“And he that overcometh, and keepth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

We should believe the promises of our Lord and work towards receiving His commendations.

Action Point: Think on what to do here on earth, so that you will be commended in Heaven.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

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