Declaration 2022: The DevotionalsSample

Strength beyond your capacity 

"So then, was I indecisive or capricious when I was planning this? Or the things I plan, do I plan in a self-serving way like a worldly man, ready to say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?"  2 Corinthians 1: 17 

The past two years have been really difficult for most people. We all have felt the impact of the pandemic Covid 19 directly and indirectly, as many have also experienced the “shadow pandemic” through financial, marital, relational, and health pressures. Those with families have also had to deal with the challenges of raising children in an environment of fear, uncertainties, and technological changes.

As the new year begins, there is a temptation to plan for the year in our own strength and power, trying to work out things by our human knowledge and wisdom in order to overcome these many obstacles and challenges. There is a temptation to plan the year ahead with a view of the world around us and to join the rat race of social media. But as children of God, we are admonished to plan the year ahead and set our goals with a God view and not a self-serving view.

Let us not run in 2022 by our own strength but by the supernatural strength from above. God's strength is able to take us way beyond our human capacity as we see in the example of the great prophet Elijah who, just at the point of giving up, was fed by heavenly food.   

"So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.” 1 Kings 19:8

I pray that like Elijah we would receive the grace from above to rise up from the ashes, eat from God’s word and get the strength from Him to carry on in 2022 and beyond.

Reflection: 

• Have you been planning 2022 in your own strength? Ask God for his plans for the year.  
• Are you hungry and thirsty? Ask God to feed you again with his heavenly food. 
• Pray for all families facing difficult choices this year, that they would know God’s grace. 

By Pastor Marjorie Esomowei