Rhapsody of Realities June 13th 2025, STAND FIRM—REFUSE TO COMPROMISE

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Isaiah 43:2).

You may find yourself buffeted by pressures and persecutions on every side for the sake of the Gospel; don’t despair. What you’re doing has a future. Your labour in the Lord is not in vain; it is purposeful and eternal. God never promised that everything would be smooth or without challenges. He told us there would be difficulties, trials and adversaries. But in the midst of them all, He assured us of His presence and victory.

Recall what we read in our opening scripture; He didn’t say there would be no tempest or fire. The promise is not the absence of challenges but the assurance of His presence and protection for you in the midst of adversities. It helps you understand the reason He says, “Count it all joy when you go through diverse tests” (James 1:2).

The Bible tells us in Daniel 3 about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three young men who stood firm in their faith despite fierce opposition. Their story is often remembered for the fiery furnace and their miraculous deliverance, but there’s more to it. Before they were thrown into the flames, they faced condemnation, rejection and false accusations. They endured hatred and opposition simply because they refused to compromise their faith.

2 Corinthians 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” So, there’re things you’ll have to face, go through, stand against and confront for you to live the godly life that the Lord has given you. There may be adversaries on every side, but in the midst of them all, you’re more than a conqueror. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). He assures in Matthew 28:20 (NIV), “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Set your eyes on the future and on His glory. Refuse to be distracted by the temporary challenges. Be confident that no matter what, His Word will prevail in your life and His glory will always be revealed in and through you.

CONFESSION
I stand firm in faith, irrespective of the challenges or oppositions, because the greater One lives in me. God’s Word puts me over every trial, and I walk in perpetual victory. Thank you Lord for your presence, your protection, and your Word that never fails, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Romans 8:31-37
What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth. 34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2 Corinthians 4:17 AMPC
For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 4:1-31 & 2 Chronicles 16-19

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Luke 1:26-38 & Deuteronomy 11

Extract From Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

DAILY AFFIRMATIONS:

I live a life of faith. I’m not moved by what I feel, see, or hear. I am only moved by God’s Word. The presence of the Holy Ghost in my life gives strength to my spirit, soul, and body. I am replenished and built up by the Word. I walk in the full benefits of the salvation that Jesus Christ wrought for me, including health, peace, prosperity, and all-round success. I fear no adversary, for Christ has already obtained the victory over every adversary, and my faith in the Word of God is the victory that overcomes the world. I dwell in the victory that Christ wrought for me; thus, I’m no longer subject to any form of fear, limitation, or bondage, for Christ has set me free from sickness, disease, and death.

I have the life of God in me. I am born of God. I walk in the fullness of the blessings of Christ. I am propelled, by the sheer force of eternal life. My ever-expanding peace and reign have no end. I am present, constant, and relevant. I am the seed of Abraham. Everything about me expands and extends even unto eternity. I am a tree planted by the rivers of water. I bring forth my fruits and my leaves shall never run dry. I am furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. Everything required for life and godliness is present in me. There’s order and grace in my life. I will never go down. When men are cast down, I will always be lifted.

I am a child of the Most High God — Christ in me, the hope of glory. Christ in me is the manifestation of glory. Lands I didn’t buy, houses I didn’t build, and wells I didn’t dig, are delivered to me for the sake of the Gospel. Christ is my peace, rest, oasis, joy, and life. I am the manifestation of the glory of God, of His grace, His abundance, His wealth, His wisdom, His strength, and His life. In Him I have rest. I am at rest in Christ. I have overcome the world and its limitations. My spirit is open to infinite possibilities, as far as my eyes can see, as much as my heart can contain. The Lord has set infinity and eternity in my heart. I can see far. I see greatness. My vision is lifted, and my capacity is expanded now and always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Speak in tongues.