Category: Shepherd Daily Devotional

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

Do you act like God?

Does God change His mind? While there are Christians who believe that God changes His mind, there are those who disagree. Remarkably, each of these groups backup their claims with Scriptures. Those who believe that God doesn’t change His mind support their claims with the words of Balaam, “God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind,” (Numbers 23:19). But those with contrary views often refer to Jonah’s story (Jonah 3:10). Interestingly, each of these contrasting positions is correct but then, they are often quoted out of context.

Anytime the Bible mentions God’s unchanged mind, it refers to His integrity or nature. God is by nature, unchangeable. Unlike man, God doesn’t mature or grow. Also, because of His integrity, God does not break a promise. It was based on this context that Balaam affirmed God’s unchangeable character. Unlike humans, God would NEVER break a promise. If God promises to give you anything, He wouldn’t change His mind. But when it comes to empathy and forgiveness, God changes His mind. In the Bible, there are several instances where God changed His mind after “sinners” repented.

Do you act like God?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be like you. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7:21-22; Romans 12:2

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

As you walk with God, some of your closest allies might mislead you.

When Sarah asked Abraham to have a child with her maidservant, she actually thought it would solve their problem. Sarah’s suggestion was a sincere plan, intended to help her and Abraham fulfill their dream. Sarah had said, “Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her” (Genesis 16:2). Apparently, Abraham wasn’t the only one that was concerned with having a family. As his wife, Sarah was also in need of children. For that reason, she presented a plan. Sarah couldn’t have had the kind of faith Abraham had because she wasn’t the one who held the vision.

Possibly, if God had showed Sarah the same thing He showed Abraham she wouldn’t have doubted. Therefore, her suggestion to Abraham was faulty, not because she had evil intentions, but for the reason that she wasn’t the person who saw the vision. In your walk with God, you might encounter people who would play the same role as Sarah. They are often the closest to you. Because they have ties with you, whatever vision God lays on you will affect them. These people may not understand God’s plan for you. So forgive them if they give the wrong advice.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me tolerant heart. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 15:1-10; Genesis 16:1-6

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

When things don’t work out as we expect, we allow other people’s opinion to get in the way.

God did not only tell Abraham that he would be a father of many nations; He backed up His promise with a covenant. The covenant ensued when Abraham cried out to God and demanded to know how God’s promises will be fulfilled. In response, God had asked Abraham to present a heifer, a goat, a ram, a dove and a young pigeon for a sacrifice (Genesis 15:8-9). On that fateful day, God made a pact with Abraham. Obviously, the purpose of that covenant was to reaffirm God’s promise. Normally, Abraham should have gone to sleep thereafter. But he didn’t.

When Abraham agreed to have a child with Hagar, he meddled with the agreement. One could say that Abraham’s decision to have a child with Hagar was an attempt to help God fulfill His word. Since the promised child wasn’t forthcoming, they decided to have a child anyhow. Although their strategy bore Ishmael, it backfired. Interestingly, we are like Abraham. Oftentimes, we begin our journey with God, with high hopes and commitment. But when things don’t work out as we expect, we allow doubt and other people’s opinion to get in the way. Please don’t sleep with “Hagar”. Wait on God!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I will wait on you. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 15:1-10; Genesis 16:1-3

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

If you’ve ever waited on God, you would understand what Abraham went through.

After God reassured Abraham that he would have a son, “Abraham believed the Lord” (Genesis 15:6). But despite Abraham’s faith, the child didn’t come. Abraham might have pondered why his wife didn’t have a child in spite of God’s promise. If you’ve ever waited on God to fulfill his promises to you, you would understand what Abraham went through. Abraham had done what God had asked him to do by leaving his own country to a foreign land. Now that he was becoming old, God was still reassuring him that he would have possession over the land he was renting.

So when Abraham’s wife came up with the idea that Abraham should sleep with her maidservant so they can build a dynasty through her, Abraham fell for it. At that time, Abraham was not only concerned with having a son that would inherit his wealth; he also wanted to build a family. Although the idea came from Sarah, the decision was taken by Abraham. Therefore, we shouldn’t crucify Sarah. Abraham, whom God had spoken to, should have known better. What Abraham did, is what usually happens when we let others get in the way of our divine assignment. Stay focused!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to stay focused. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 15:1-10; Genesis 16:1-3

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

Are you trusting God and at the same time worried?

God had said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” Although Abraham heeded God’s call, He didn’t do exactly what God asked him to do because Lot, his nephew went with him. Recall that when God called Abraham, he didn’t have a child of his own. So, he didn’t have an heir even though he was wealthy. Maybe, Abraham took Lot along because he needed to feel safe that his wealth would at least go to his nephew if he eventually died without a child.  

Once, Abraham cried out to God, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” At the time, Abraham had just been separated from Lot. So He was troubled that he might end up giving his wealth to a servant, someone who wasn’t a relation. But God had to reassure Abraham that He would make his “offspring like the dust of the earth.” Obviously, Lot had been Abraham’s back up plan – a strategy intended to make him feel secure. Are you trusting God and at the same time worried that He might fail you?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 15:3

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

God will not ask you to do something that will not succeed.

Terah (Abraham’s father) had initially desired to stay in Canaan. The Bible didn’t tell us that he got that idea from God. Unlike his father, Abraham’s decision to move to Canaan was inspired by God. In other words, it was God’s will. While Terah appeared to have followed his own will, Abraham, seemingly, was a man who depended on God’s will. For that reason, one can say that Terah represents people who often think their future is in their hands whereas Abraham represents those who depend on God for direction in life.

Possibly, if God was the one who asked Terah to move to Canaan, Terah wouldn’t have stopped at Haran. If he had been instructed by God, Terah would have probably felt obliged to complete the journey even if he encountered challenges. Although Abraham faced obstacles along the way, unlike his father, he never gave up because he was aware of God’s presence. Because Abraham knew it was God’s plan, he stayed committed. If God is asking you to fulfill an assignment, know that He would see you through. God will not ask you to do something that will not succeed in the end. Fear not!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am willing to do your will. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 12:4-9

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

God is aware of your needs.

When God called Abraham, He said to him, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Although, Abraham had to leave his country, he was consoled by the promises that God made to him. Abraham must have been motivated with the fact that God had chosen him to be the father of many nations. Recall that this was a man who didn’t have a child of his own. All of a sudden, God showed up and said, “I will make your name great…”

As I noted yesterday, Abraham already had a lot of possessions when God called him. So wealth wasn’t really his problem. His real problem was legacy. For that reason, God assured Abraham that his walk with Him will not only lead to a fruitful land but would result to him becoming the father of many nations. So Abraham decided to follow God. By obeying God, all peoples on earth have been blessed. God is aware of your needs. If He is asking you to embark on a journey with Him, comply even if it means losing everything you currently have.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, use me to save lives. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 12:2-3

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

Whatever God tells you to do, do it in faith.

When God asked Abraham to leave his country and his father’s household to a land He would show him, Abraham obeyed. He complied even though he was already doing well in Haran. Recall that Abraham wasn’t poor and wretched before God called him. According to the scriptures, “He (Abraham) took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran…” In other words, Abraham left Haran as a wealthy man and then set out on a journey to a land he didn’t know. No doubt, Abraham took a leap faith.

Oftentimes, God would visit you when you are comfortable, at a time you are not expecting Him. So His “call” may seem strange because you would wonder why He is disrupting your peace. You might even be tempted to think the revelation is just a figment of your imagination. In handling such situations, be mindful of who you share your revelation with. Asking other people to interpret a revelation can get you off track. In fact, you might even have to be careful with what your mind is telling you. Whatever God tells you to do, do it in faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me a discerning heart. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 12:4-5

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

It’s time to do what God wants you to do.

As Terah ended his journey in Haran, living in that country became normal for Abraham and his family. For Abraham, it was a case of following a tradition that had already been created by his father. He might have resolved to stay in Haran, lead the family that his father had left, build his business and possibly adopt the culture of Haran. Clearly, Abraham didn’t have his own vision. Whatever it was that he had planned to do wasn’t really different from what his father had done. But just as Abraham was settling down, God showed up.

God said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you”. So Abraham left. We don’t know how long it took Abraham before he obeyed God’s instructions. The Bible didn’t say. But we know that when Abraham got that message, he obeyed. Possibly like Abraham, you’ve had an encounter with God but then have been in your comfort zone for too long. You’ve been sitting in that room, thinking you can’t go beyond the limits that others have set for you. It’s time to do what God wants you to do. Move!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to do what you want me to do. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 12:1-4

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.

Written By Benjamin Dankaka

God’s plan might be different from your father’s plans for you.

Do you know that Abraham’s father had intended to live in Canaan? The scriptures say, “Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there”. Instead of getting to his destination, Terah settled in Haran and died there. The Bible didn’t tell us why Terah didn’t get to his actual destination. However, he might have ended his journey in Haran because he changed his mind.

Interestingly, Abraham didn’t try to live Haran until God called him. Possibly, after his father’s death, Abraham had decided to remain in Haran. Abraham might have decided to sustain his father’s legacy. He might have thought it was proper for him to follow his father’s footsteps. Abraham didn’t try to go beyond his father’s limits. But when God met him, everything changed. I don’t know what you are going through at the moment. Perhaps, like Abraham, you are trying to be like your father. I want you to know that God’s plan might be different from your father’s plans for you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, May I not be limited by my father’s achievements. Amen.

REFERENCES/FURTHER STUDY: Genesis 11:27-32

Unless otherwise stated all scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.