Topic: The Spiritual precedes the physical
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 1-3; Luke 18:28-43.
Memory Verse: “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.“ 1 Kings 3:12 (KJV)
In Acts 10; Cornelius a centurion of the Italian band was reported as a devout man who feared God with all his house. And God revealed to him in a vision that he should send people to Joppa to invite Peter to come over and tell him more about God. And God also went ahead to prepare Peter in a trance to get ready to come to Cornelius, a gentile and teach him more about God!
Subsequently, Cornelius physically sent men to Joppa to invite Peter to his house and Peter, having been informed earlier by the Holy Spirit, followed them and came to Cornelius to teach them about the Holy Spirit and God baptized the people with Holy Spirit at that meeting! Acts 10:44-45 (KJV) says, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Thus, whilst God spoke to both Cornelius and Peter in a vision to tell them spiritually what will happen, the physical manifestation happened thereafter!
Similarly in 1 Kings 3:3-28; God was impressed by the offerings of Solomon and so asked him to ask for whatever he wanted and Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge the people. God was further pleased with him for his selflessness concerning his request and therefore granted him his request and even more. In 1 Kings 3:12 (KJV), God said to him in a dream, “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.”
And to show him physical manifestation of the spiritual power He has given him, God orchestrated two women to have disputes about their children. By the time they brought the issue to King Solomon in 1 Kings 3:16-28; he gave a judgment that reflected the wisdom and understanding that God just gave him. The result was stated in 1 Kings 3:28 (KJV), “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” So what challenges are you facing, the solution is getting it sorted out spiritually by taking it to God in prayer and getting solution from God , then you can be sure the physical manifestation wil reveal the solution God has provided. In all situations, issues are settled first in the spiritual before the physical manifestation.
Furthermore, if you look at the two examples given today, you will realise something was given to attract God’s attention. In the case of Solomon, he gave offerings that pleased God and in the case of Cornelius, he was seen as a devout man always praying to God. You also need to fellowship regularly with God to attract His attention quickly to your challenge or situation. So do not wait till a challenging situation occurs before praying, make sure you pray to God regularly such that you will be accustomed to His presence before any challenge.
Action point: Cultivate the habit of having regular fellowship with God.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero