By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9).
The Bible tells us that God asked Abraham to offer up Isaac, his only son, whom he had at an old age. Abraham didn’t hesitate or complain; as he went ahead to offer Isaac, God promptly stopped him. As the book of Hebrews reveals, Abraham had Isaac raised back to life.
As far as God was concerned, it was a resurrection because Abraham had totally given up Isaac. It was God who said, “Abraham, stop! Don’t hurt the child.” Abraham had faith in the resurrection. The Bible says, “For he reasoned that God was able to raise [him] up even from among the dead. Indeed in the sense that Isaac was figuratively dead [potentially sacrificed], he did [actually] receive him back from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19 AMPC).
READ ALSO: Today message: Rhapsody of Realities 26 July 2023- Give It Your All
It’s the same thing that Paul was talking about in the opening scripture where he narrated how he and his companions were so weighed down beyond their strength, and their situation was so devastating that they felt within themselves the very sentence of death.
So instead of trusting in and depending on themselves, they depended on God who raises the dead. What a mindset! They had given up on life as far as they were concerned; they had the sentence of death in themselves but they had a resurrection consciousness.
That’s just like Jesus who gave Himself up, knowing that the Father will raise Him back to life! We’re the children of faith, the children of Abraham, and we act like Abraham. We carry the resurrection consciousness in our spirits.
In that condition, nothing is kept back from the Lord, because you know that He is the God who raises the dead! Anything He asks you to give is multiplied back to you a thousand fold and more. Abraham offered Isaac and he became the father of many nations. His descendants became as countless as the sand on the seashore.
So, serve the Lord truly, joyfully and fully. The very idea to give your all to Him shouldn’t trouble, destabilize or give you sleepless nights when you have the resurrection consciousness. Hallelujah!
READ ALSO: Today message: Rhapsody of Realities 26 July 2023- Give It Your All
PRAYER
Dear Father, I have the resurrection consciousness, being convinced that you’re able to raise the dead. Therefore, I’m always active in my service to you, in truth, with all my heart, rejoicing in hope, and patient in times of trouble. I remain steadfast and unmovable, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Corinthians 15:13-18 (KJV); 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (AMPC); Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Romans 2:1-29 & Psalms 38-41
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 11:27-36 & Judges 1