Daily Companion | 4 February
THE DARK PART
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. - 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)
In a bustling Nigerian city, a young entrepreneur named Tunde built a thriving logistics business from scratch. Within a few years he had contracts, trucks, employees, and wealth far beyond what his village family ever imagined. Yet success came with shadows. To win bigger contracts he was pressured to bribe government officials; competitors spread lies to steal clients; and late-night deals tempted him toward shortcuts that would harm others. One evening, Tunde reflected on his late mother’s prayer over him as a boy: “Lord, bless my son, but keep him from evil so he never causes pain.” Convicted, he prayed Jabez’s prayer with fresh desperation. Soon later, a major client unexpectedly chose his company because of his reputation for integrity. Tunde later testified: “God enlarged my territory, but more importantly, He kept me from the dark part. I didn’t become rich at the cost of my soul or anyone else’s pain.”
Beloved, we often quote Jabez’s prayer and rejoice in the blessing and enlargement, yet quietly skip the most crucial but dark part: “keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” Jabez knew that every gift (riches, influence, promotion, power) carries an evil shadow. He had seen how wealth can corrupt, how success can wound others, how greatness can breed pride and injustice. So, he boldly asked God to protect him from the dark side of blessing.
Solomon, the richest and wisest king, fell into that very trap. His riches led to womanising, idolatry, oppression, and vanity. Agur, learning from Solomon’s downfall, prayed wisely: “Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches… lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8–9).
Both riches and poverty have evil sides. Riches can tempt us to bribe, oppress, neglect the poor, or forget God. Poverty can drive people to immorality, fraud, deceit, or despair. Either extreme can cause pain to ourselves and to others.
God’s promises are “Yes and Amen” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20), but it is your responsibility to guard your hearts. Scripture warns: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). Therefore: (i) Pray daily: “Keep me from evil.” (ii) Ask God to lead you not into temptation (Matthew 6:13). (iii) Be patient for His timing.
Dear friend, As you go out today seeking daily bread, provision, promotion, or breakthrough, carry this confidence: the Lord will preserve you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. He will bless you, and keep you from the evil part, so you do not cause pain.
Today’s Recite: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” — Matthew 6:13 (NKJV)
Today’s Morning Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word today. I humble myself before You and ask: bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, and let Your hand be with me—but above all, keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain to others. Guard my heart in my career, business, family, and calling. Protect me from the evil side of success and the snares of lack. Lead me not into temptation; deliver me from evil. Let my life bring glory to You and blessing to those around me, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Today’s Hymn: Yield Not To Temptation
Today ReadMe: NUMBERS 23 - 25
Daily Companion | 2 FebruaryTHE EVIL PART“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV) So many times, we have quoted the above scriptures but skipped the ‘evil’ part. Does it sound familiar to you? Yes, there is an evil part of every good thing. Jabez was known to be a child of sorrow. He may have lived in poverty or as common man. He was a man of integrity. He wanted to be rich without causing pain to others. He may have witnessed the evil parts of riches and wealth, so he prayed for one of the best prayers ever: keep me from evil. Solomon was adjudged to be one of the richest men ever lived but his riches caused pain and vanity. So are many in position of authority, power and riches today. Agur learnt from the evil part of Solomon’s riches and had this to say, Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches…Proverbs 30:7-9. Riches and poverty may cause pain to yourself and others. Emergency ambulance carrying a dying patient was held in a traffic caused by a rich politician event. The patient died before reaching the hospital. Many have stopped serving God or paying attention to the heavenly vision in pursuit of money. Of course, poverty has its evil part too. It has caused many to be defiled (offering their body for money with immorality), lured into fraud, scam, cheat, and even deny God.Dear friend, God’s promises are in Him, Yea and Amen! He assures us of His immeasurable blessings, but it is our responsibilities to pray against and keep away from the evil part. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:9). (i) Pray that you enter not into temptation. (ii) Be patient for God’s time of blessing. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (Revelation 3:10). As you go out today seeking your daily bread, the LORD shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul from the evil part in Jesus name. Amen! Today’s Recite: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13 Today’s Morning Prayer: (i) Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your word today. I pray you keep me from the evil part of my career, business, and position. May I not cause others pain through my life in Jesus name. Amen! Today’s Hymn: Yield Not To Temptation
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