“The One Thing” Devotional by Joseph Prince, Days 24 to 25

[Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

DAY 24: Surely!

⁴Surely He has borne our griefs [sicknesses] and carried our sorrows [pains] ...

Isaiah 53:4

While waiting for the manifestation of their healing, some people find it hard to believe that Jesus really took their sicknesses and pains, just as He took their sin and shame. If you are one of them, don't feel condemned. Your Father in heaven understands. That is why He put the word "surely" there when He said, "Surely, My Son has borne your sicknesses and carried your pains."

Once, my daughter Jessica was crying all night because she was not feeling well. She had been sick for a few days. In my study, I took out my Bible and the Lord led me to Isaiah 53:4 where it says, "Surely He has borne ..." Now, I know the original Hebrew here and it says, "Surely He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains." So, I said, "Surely, He has borne Jessica's sickness..." But it was like the verse was just not real to me. Her cries seemed more real. Then, all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to a word in the verse that really revolutionized the way I saw the whole passage.

Notice the first word in the verse? It says, "Surely..." Surely, He has borne our sicknesses and carried our pains. Now, look at the next verse: "He was wounded for our transgressions ..." Every Christian knows and believes that Jesus was wounded for our sins, yet the word "surely" is not put here but in the earlier verse. I think God knew that we would find it hard to believe that Jesus also bore our sicknesses and carried our pains, so He put the word "surely" there to help us believe!

When I saw that, I put my Bible on the floor, stood on it and said, "Father, you know I don't mean any irreverence, but I am standing on Your Word. Surely, Jesus bore Jessica's sickness and carried her pain! I don't care if I can still hear her crying. Surely, Your Son, Your beloved Son, bore her sickness and carried her pain! Hallelujah!" That night, the breakthrough came. That night, little Jessica was healed.

Are you or your loved ones suffering some sickness or pain right now?

Surely our Lord Jesus has borne your sicknesses and carried your pains. And as you believe this truth, surely, your healing and breakthrough will come!

DAY 25: See The Favor Of God Multiplied In Your Life

² Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

2 Peter 1:2

If you would like to walk in a greater measure of God's favor, 2 Peter 1:2 says that grace, which is the undeserved favor of God, and peace, can be multiplied to you. Peace is the word "shalom" in Hebrew. Its definition includes wholeness, health, safety and provision. So, when you walk in divine favor and peace, you will walk in blessings in every area of your life!

But how do the undeserved favor and shalom of God increase in your life?

It is not by your laboring or toiling to earn it. The Bible says that it comes as your knowledge of Jesus and His finished work increases. It comes as you learn more about and believe that through Jesus' one sacrifice at the cross, God removed all your sins, gave you His righteousness as a gift and put you in Christ to enjoy everything Jesus has. God's favor is multiplied in your life when you simply believe that the favor of God that is on Christ is also on you because of what Jesus' work at the cross has accomplished.

Today, you don't have to struggle for favor. Just release it by speaking forth God's Word in faith. On your way to work, say, "God's favor surrounds me as with a shield" (Psalm 5: 12). As you continue to speak God's favor over your life out of a revelation of Jesus' finished work, you will see more of it being released.

When I first entered the workforce, I began to declare the favor of God in my job. Every time I was given a new assignment, I proclaimed that the divine favor of God was on me. The company began to prosper, and I was blessed financially. By the time I left the company to serve God full-time, my income had increased so that I was in the top 15 percent of earners in my age group in Singapore.

Today, in your workplace or at home, begin to declare the favor of God by faith. Expect to receive preferential treatment wherever you are. Say, "I am surrounded with the favor of God because of Jesus' finished work. I have favor before God and man!" And see God's favor work for you!

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 24-25

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 22-23

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 20-21

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 18-19

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 16-17

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 14-15

Click here for PDF version of "The One Thing" Days 1-13

Hi Everyone, I pray all is well with you all and your families! I have posted the new days (24 to 25) of Pastor Joseph Prince's 31 day devotional, "The One Thing!" I will post the other days, as I read them; posting two days at a time. Therefore, the next days you all will receive are "Day 26 & Day 27." I also will be posting the previous days, on each of the new days post, that way you all won't have to search for the previous days.

God's Blessings to you all and your families!!

Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks