Your Refreshing Daily Devotional

In our previous meditation, we outlined two traits of spiritually maturing people. They are not judgmental and wise in decision-making. Maturity shows in the wise handling of matters. Of course, it is also the secret of staying power under pressure. At this juncture, we need to remember that growth cannot be assumed or taken for granted. This much is clear from Paul’s experience with the Corinthians. Whereas they lacked no gift, they were divided. Paul concluded that they were carnal and still operated as babes.

Growth cannot be assumed or taken for granted…spiritual maturity does not automatic but happens when we apply ourselves to growth fundamentals.

Please note that spiritual maturity does not automatic but happens when we apply ourselves to growth fundamentals. In our text, growth results from getting rid of some attitudes and embracing a life-long devotion to the word of God. Spiritual discipline of prayer and studying the word, plus the willingness to practice what is taught are the gateway to maturity. Those who desire growth constantly reexamine themselves, noting what next to lay aside in exchange for a new level in Christ. There is no way we can radiate the beauty and power of Christ without maturity.

Over the years in ministry, I have come to appreciate Jesus’ frustration while training His disciples. The disciples manifested greed (as seen when the Zebedee brothers asked for prime seats in the Kingdom). They fought over who would be the greatest. They misunderstood Jesus when taught to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. At some point, Jesus blurted out, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Mark 9:19 NKJV. When the people you have under your wings are not meeting up, it could be frustrating indeed. The bane of the Church today is immaturity.

A spiritually maturing person is less judgmental and more accommodating… maturing person in the Lord is circumspective in their choices.

It is important to add that maturing individual members of the Church leads to the overall maturity of that Church. A church is no more mature than the aggregate maturity displayed by its members. Some of the traits we see in physically maturing people are also discernible in spiritually maturing individuals. Mature people are less judgmental over time. That much applies to spiritual maturity as well. A spiritually maturing person is less judgmental and more accommodating. He or she has imbibed the admonition of scripture to bear with all men and be forgiving. Also, a maturing person in the Lord is circumspective in their choices. Their intuition has become keener and they make choices that are only in consonance with God’s will.

I visited an eye doctor for a routine check and left with a lesson that agreed with our text. My conversation with the doctor soon veered to her lecturing me about a condition called astigmatism. The doctor told me the story of a young boy whose parents had given up on. The boy was listless in class, almost to the point of losing his mind. Everything was done to sober him but to no avail. The next move by the parent was to take him for deliverance; having concluded that his problem was spiritual. After sessions of deliverance he was no better. Somebody eventually recommended that they see an eye doctor, and he was diagnosed with astigmatism. The doctor explained to me that this abnormality sends conflicting images to a patient, and this explains why the boy’s behaviour was uncoordinated. After a series of treatments, he was restored and became a top performer in his class to the chagrin of those who knew him before.

Conflicting images will lead to confusion and doubts. It will surely slow down one’s pace. Nothing but a clear focus can help us to excel.

I believe that this condition has its spiritual parallel. We may think of spiritual astigmatism, where an individual has conflicting images in mind and thoughts. Just as physical astigmatism has disturbing, confusing effects, spiritual astigmatism will be no less damaging. In our text, David prayed that God would lead him on a plain path. It’s like David was praying against spiritual astigmatism. He did not want conflicting views in his mind. Conflicting images will lead to confusion and doubts. It will surely slow down one’s pace. Nothing but a clear focus can help us to excel.

There is what is known as compassion fatigue. Caregivers often encounter it. It is a condition where people get exhausted emotionally, resulting in a dip in empathy. Perhaps, it will make sense to speak of “faith fatigue”. This will probably capture a situation where someone who has experienced miraculous interventions of God can no longer rally himself to believe God for another miracle. If there is anything like faith fatigue, then it must have been what Moses suffered at some point in His career. When God promised to feed the people for an entire month, Moses thought that it was rather ambitious of Him to contemplate that. He went on to roll out the statistics of the number of mouths to be fed. God had to remind him that his hand had not been shortened.

To constantly see the miraculous hand of God, we must remember that He does not change. Moreover, we must disconnect from all sins.

Moses was no stranger to the mighty works that God’s mighty hand had made possible. From the many miracles in Egypt prior to their release to the parting of the Red Sea, Moses was not in the dark. It would seem, however, that Moses suffered from temporary amnesia, and God called his attention back to what He had done. God’s hand is never short to save; but forgetting His records can cut us from blessings. Another thing that could limit divine intervention is captured in our text. Here again, God reiterated that His hand is not shortened that He could not save, but sin cut the people off from His power. To constantly see the miraculous hand of God, we must remember that He does not change. Moreover, we must disconnect from all sins.

A French Catholic by name Charles-Michel de l’Épée (1712-1789) is credited with the creation of the first formal sign language system. He came up with a system of teaching sign language to Deaf students, and that became the basis for French Sign Language (LSF). From the American end, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851) and Laurent Cleric (1785-1869) played a major role in developing American Sign Language (ASL). By the way, Gallaudet was an American Congregational minister. Thus, we see that both in the French and American settings, members of the clergy played a major role in giving communication skills to the physically challenged.

We all need to understand some sign language…Those who know how to keep their appetite in check and maintain sobriety of heart will excel in understanding spiritual signs.

The crucial lesson here is that it is not only the deaf and dumb that need sign language. We all need to understand some sign language. This was the import of Jesus’ speech as contained in our text. Jesus recognised people’s ability to accurately read weather signs. However, He was disappointed because they could not read the signs of the times. Most things come with signs. For example, the human body is equipped with different types of signs. Taking note of them can prevent a complete breakdown in our health. The end times also have signs. This was the challenge that Jesus raised with His enquirers. He wants us to be able to read the signs and know that the end is drawing near. Those who know how to keep their appetite in check and maintain sobriety of heart will excel in understanding spiritual signs.

Wherever the presence of God is established, there are at least three blessings. The first is salvation. Next is healing. Finally, there is deliverance. All three are guaranteed because the power of God always accompanies the presence of God. Luke 5:17 gives credence to this submission. “Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” (NKJV). Besides salvation, healing, and deliverance, the presence of God guarantees prophecies. Prophecy is the declaration of the intents of God’s heart and sometimes that of men. This is why Paul enjoined the Corinthians to prophesy rather than speak in tongues. Prophesying will reveal the motives of men’s hearts and make them attest to the presence of God in the assembly. Finally, the presence of God ushers in provision.

If a building called church is not sanctified by God, then it is not the place of His presence. It is the sanctifying power of God that turns a building into the place of His presence.

Where can we find the presence of God? Well, the presence of God is not necessarily tied to a building. There was no physical building in Bethel when Jacob described it as the house of God and the very gate of heaven. If a building called church is not sanctified by God, then it is not the place of His presence. It is the sanctifying power of God that turns a building into the place of His presence. This can happen in a cathedral or a barn.