WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JULY 01, 2022
TOPIC: LET NOBODY LIMIT YOU!
BY T. O. BANSO
 âAnd Saul said to David, âYou are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youthââ (1 Samuel 17:33 New King James Version).
For forty days, morning and night, Goliath, the Philistineâs champion, had been presenting himself to challenge the Israelites’ army. He requested Israel to present a champion to fight him to decide the winner of the battle between the two nations. He defied the armies of God, the Israelites’ army, calling them the servants of Saul. Nobody could take up the challenge until David showed up.
David told Saul he was ready to confront the uncircumcised Philistine, but Saul immediately disqualified him because of his age. âAnd Saul said to David, âYou are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youthââ (1 Samuel 17:33 New King James Version). David was able to convince Saul he was the right man for the job, and he eventually killed Goliath. Let nobody limit you.
The most unexpected person will surprise you with their words of limitation. Some will tell you, youâre a youth just as Saul told David. Yes, David was a youth, but he eventually killed Goliath. 1 Timothy 4:12a says, âLet no one despise your youthâ (New King James Version). The Living Bible says, âDon’t let anyone think little of you because you are young.â Also, the New Living Translation puts the verse this way: âDon’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.â
Former British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, said, âAlmost everything that is great has been done by youth.â At age 1, German child prodigy, Christian Heinrich Heineken, who died at the age of 4, is reported to have read the five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. That’s phenomenal! Many adults have not been able to read just one!
Jane Taylor, an English poet, wrote the words for the popular song, âTwinkle, Twinkle, Little Starâ when she was 23. Renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, at 21, developed his first invention to be patented, an electrographic vote recorder. Let nobody limit you.
When the LORD called Jeremiah, He told him, âBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nationsâ (Jeremiah 1:5 New King James Version). But Jeremiah answered God that he could not speak, for he was a youth (verse 6). He spoke as if the LORD didnât know all about him.
In reply, the LORD said, âDo not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver youâ (verses 7-8 New King James Version). Donât let anyone limit you because youâre only a youth, as Saul told David.
Joash, also called Jehoash, became the king of Judah at seven and reigned for 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 11:21; 2 Chronicles 24:1). He is the youngest king in the Bible. Also, Josiah became the king of Judah at eight and reigned for thirty-one years. He was a good king. He embarked on religious reforms and there was peace and prosperity during his reign (2 Kings 21:23; 22; 23:1-30). Let nobody limit you.
Some people will tell you that youâre too old. But youâre not too old for the assignment God has given you. âAnd Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haranâ (Genesis 12:4 New King James Version). That was when he obeyed the LORDÂ to leave his native country, relatives and father’s family for the land He would show him. Earlier, Abram had gone with his father, Terah, to Haran. But after his death, he obeyed the LORD. Let nobody limit you!
Some will say that youâre a woman or a lady. And so what? In the Bible, Deborah was a woman judge, and even delivered the Word of the LORD to Barak, a man, to go to war and motivated him. Barak told her he wouldnât go except if she went with him! She went with him (Judges 4). Acts 21:9 says that Philip, the evangelist, had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.
God didnât say He would pour His Spirit on men alone. He said He would pour it upon all flesh, women inclusive (Joel 2:28). Today, there are outstanding women in all lifeâs endeavours, including leaders of nations and organizations. Let nobody limit you!
Galatians 3:28 says, âFor you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesusâ (New King James version). Donât let anyone limit you.
Scientific studies have shown some significant differences in the anatomy of the brains of men and women. They found that menâs brains are larger than womenâs. Nevertheless, no difference has been established in the IQs of both. Menâs brains are not superior to womenâs. Let nobody limit you!
Some people will tell you that you donât have much education. Yes, education is important and should be acquired and continued. Nevertheless, there are many people today who have recorded breakthroughs in different fields without degrees, diplomas or certificates from any higher institution.
They may not have formal education, but theyâre well enlightened and highly resourceful and possessed an analytical mind to solve societal problems. They have educated their minds. We have such people in different countries who employ educated people!
A university degree isnât a ticket to success in life. Formal education is not an end in itself; itâs a means to an end. Education is not limited to acquiring diplomas and degrees. Iâm not discouraging the pursuit of higher education. Who says you canât acquire more formal education if you consider it necessary? Let nobody limit you!
Let nobody limit you because of your race, colour, tribe, education, gender, sex, and disability. Discover and pursue Godâs purpose for your life. Donât let critics limit you. There will always be critics. They could be criticizing you out of envy, ignorance, mischief or chauvinism. But they wonât succeed until you limit yourself. Let nobody limit you!
Believe God to do what He says you should do. Believe that you can do what He has put in your heart to do. Say with Paul, âI can do all things through Christ who strengthens meâ (Philippians 4:13 New King James Version). Let nobody limit you.
TAKE ACTION!
If you have not given your life to Jesus, do so now by taking the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nobody shall limit me in the name of Jesus. I can do what God says I can do. I shall become all God wants me to be. I shall not disappoint Heaven. My life shall be as refreshing as the springtime rains and like the showers that water the earth.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org)
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org