DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: MAY 21 THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL (1). SCRIPTURE: Matt.16: 13 – 16; 1 Cor. 10: 4
We are about looking at a topic that had generated lots of controversies among theologians and Bible analysts. But this devotional is not going into those arguments. We will be concerning ourselves with the studies on life applications. We will go into meanings of “upon this rock”; “I will build my church” and “the gates of hell shall not prevail.” Then see what these phrases mean to us as Christians. The sentences in this devotional came from Peter’s answer of Jesus’ question about who do the Apostles heard from the people of the world that Jesus is. And, who do the Apostles think He is. Only Peter could answer that Jesus “…is Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). This made Jesus to tell Peter “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16: 18). Appropriate thinking should be that since Peter addressed Jesus as Son of God, Jesus spoke back to Peter; I will build my church on this Son, the Rock that I am.
This devotional directs its interest on who is the rock, what is the church and what are the gates of hell which will not prevail signifies. Many people believed the rock is Simon Peter while the church is Christ Jesus and the gates of hell go for satanic kingdoms which wars against Christ. The rock by this devotional is believed to be Jesus Christ. Peter said Jesus is the Son of the living God. Therefore, Jesus said, upon the Son of the living God so confessed, He will build His church. Thou art Peter means in Greek and Aramaic “thou art stone” because Peter means Cephas which is stone in Greek and Aramaic. Jesus said “thou art Peter (Cephas), and upon this rock” and not upon you Peter. The word Jesus used is Greek word “Petros” which means “rock”, a larger rock than a fragment of rock which is stone. We must understand that the Bible referred to Jesus as “solid rock” (1 Cor. 10: 4; Rom. 9: 33). We Christians are standing on Jesus who is our Rock. Nothing can move us and scatters us easily. We all belong to the church, which is assembling of people of God; we cannot be destroyed easily like that.
Is only when we are rooted in Christ our Rock, and solidly built into Him that we can withstand the wiles of the devil or anyone attacking us. We must believe in this seriously. Ages past, we have been marked out by ruling governments of the day and dealt with inhumanly. Plans have been that the bodies of Christ should not be. But as Jesus said, that the gates of hell shall not prevail, the church is still moving on. You reading this devotional will ever move on in your plans in life as long as you trust in the Rock. Your propelling force Is not man but God and Christ who will determine your stabilities and sustenance in life. Stop making an ordinary man the rock of your life. It has to be Jesus and no other person.
PRAYER:
LORD JESUS, I acknowledge you today as my Solid Rock on who I will stand and be made in life. Cast me not away from your presence O Jesus. I pray this prayer for my fellow Christians and members of my family and congregation in Jesus name.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
The solid foundation my destiny is standing upon is Jesus. I will not be moved. Hallelujah!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
