Open Heavens Devotional For January 14, 2026: What Is Man? ( IV)

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

TOPIC: WHAT IS MAN? (IV)

MEMORISE

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

— 1 Peter 5:7

BIBLE READING:

Philippians 4:4–7 (KJV)

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

MESSAGE

Man occupies a unique place in God’s creation because he was designed to house the Spirit of God. This truth is profound, considering that God is so vast that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool (Isaiah 66:1), yet He chose to make His dwelling within us (John 14:16–17). In the days of Moses, God instructed the building of a physical sanctuary to host His presence (Exodus 25:1–9). However, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, every child of God has now become God’s living temple. This means that if you belong to Christ, God resides within you, and everything that responds to God responds to you. What an incredible privilege!

When I joined The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I considered myself quite knowledgeable, being a university lecturer at the time. Many members of the church then were not formally educated, and I looked down on them. Yet I observed something remarkable: they were consistently joyful, while I was constantly troubled and anxious. They radiated peace, whereas my heart was filled with unrest. That realization led me to surrender my life to Christ. Immediately, I experienced peace. All my worries disappeared, and for the first time, genuine joy flooded my heart. The following day, my supervisor noticed my joy even without my saying a word.

Man was never created to live in anxiety. It was the fallen nature that robbed humanity of joy and peace. Thankfully, Jesus came to restore us to God’s original design. When God dwells in you, joy and peace naturally follow. The Scripture affirms that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11), and His peace—beyond human understanding—guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).

Beloved, if you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you cannot fully experience God’s original plan for humanity. The Lord is standing at the door of your heart, knocking (Revelation 3:20). I encourage you to open the door and let Him in. He will lift your burdens (Matthew 11:28) and usher you into a life of peace and joy beyond measure.

KEY POINT

Understanding yourself as God’s dwelling place releases abundant joy and lasting peace.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 44–46

HYMN: What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Hymn 27)

1.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

2.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour, still our refuge—

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you;

You will find a solace there.