OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
LEARN FROM OTHERS
MESSAGE BY: Pastor E. A. Adeboye
MEMORISE: ” The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 1:9
I. THERE IS NO NEW THING UNDER THE SUN
Welcome to Sunday, September 6, 2026. A major mistake many make while pursuing their life goals is trying to reinvent the wheel. They operate as though their present trial, ministry calling, or career path is entirely unique to them.
However, Ecclesiastes 1:9 establishes a fundamental law of human experience:
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”
Whatever breakthrough, impact, or level of spiritual authority you aspire to achieve, someone else has traversed similar terrain. They faced comparable obstacles, navigated similar spiritual battles, and uncovered the kingdom principles required to win.
If you identify those who achieved the results you desire, study their lives, and adopt their core spiritual principles, you will naturally replicate—and even surpass—their level of success.
II. STUDY THE STORY BEHIND THE GLORY
Many admire the accomplishments of great men and women, yet refuse to examine the sacrifices that produced those results.
When people express a desire to operate in the grace, power, or influence seen in my life and ministry, I always tell them: “While everyone is focusing on the glory, pay attention to the story.”
God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He operates by immutable spiritual laws. What He does for one person, He will willingly do for another who fulfills the same conditions of faith, sacrifice, and obedience.
When I gave my life to Christ, I committed quality time to studying the lives of spiritual giants in Holy Scripture to discover the secrets behind their walk with God:
Elijah: I spent three full years studying Prophet Elijah. I was captivated by a man who could pray a short, seventy-six-word prayer and command fire from heaven. My study revealed that his supernatural power rested on two pillars: a dedicated prayer altar and an unwavering focus on his divine assignment.
Elisha: After studying Elijah, I shifted my focus to Elisha, who sought and received a double portion of his master’s spirit. I spent several years examining his total commitment, unyielding service, and relentless hunger for spiritual power.
Apostle Paul: I thoroughly studied Paul—a scholar (Acts 22:3) who balanced deep intellectual rigor with an extraordinary apostolic dynamic.
Studying these men revealed the precise patterns required to maintain continuous spiritual relevance in God’s master plan.
III. FAITH AND PATIENCE: THE INHERITANCE KEYS
In Hebrews 6:11–12, the Holy Spirit instructs us:
“And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Notice the two qualities required to inherit God’s promises: faith and patience.
In addition to studying biblical figures, look for contemporary mentors and historical examples whose lives reflect God’s grace. Study their triumphs to learn what to emulate, and analyze their mistakes so you can avoid similar pitfalls. Learning from the failures of others saves you time, pain, and unnecessary setbacks!
IV. TWELVE POWERFUL PRAYER POINTS
Pray these prayer points with spiritual intensity, asking God for wisdom to learn from the right mentors:
1: Thanksgiving for Spiritual Precedents: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the lives of great men and women of faith whose stories are recorded in Scripture to guide my walk with You.
2: Deliverance from Slothfulness: Lord, deliver me from every form of spiritual and mental laziness; grant me the diligence to study, research, and apply divine principles!
3: Grace to Focus on the Story: Father, give me the wisdom not to chase superficial glory, but to pay attention to the sacrifices, discipline, and secret altars that produce true power.
4: Anointing for Continuous Learning: Lord, grant me a teachable spirit; deliver me from pride that prevents me from learning from mentors, elders, and leaders.
5: Connecting with Godly Mentors: Father, by Your divine providence, align my path with genuine men and women of God who will guide, correct, and inspire me toward my destiny.
6: Grace to Avoid Mistakes: Lord, grant me spiritual discernment to recognize the errors, traps, and failures of those who went before me, so I never repeat them!
7: Restoration of the Prayer Altar: Father, like Elijah, grant me the grace to maintain an unshakeable, fervent prayer life that commands fire and shifts territories!
8: Hunger for Double-Portion Grace: Lord, like Elisha, put an insatiable hunger in my heart for higher dimensions of Your Spirit, grace, and power!
9: Balancing Intellect and Anointing: Father, like Paul, grant me grace to blend deep knowledge, diligence, and academic excellence with explosive spiritual power!
10: Impartation of Faith and Patience: Lord, grant me the patience to wait on Your timing and the faith to possess every promise You have spoken over my life.
11: Sustained Spiritual Relevance: Father, keep me aligned with Your perfect will so that I will never become obsolete or cast away in Your Kingdom.
12: Personal Requests for Destiny Fulfillment: [Present your specific area of desire—whether in ministry, career, or family—asking God to show you the right examples to study and follow.]
V. BIBLE TEXT SUMMARY & FURTHER STUDY
Bible Text Summary: Hebrews 6:11–12
The Apostle Paul expresses a deep desire for every believer to show the same level of diligence throughout their spiritual journey, securing the full assurance of hope until the very end. He warns believers against becoming sluggish, slothful, or complacent in their faith. Instead, he commands them to actively imitate those who, through unwavering faith and patient endurance, successfully inherit the promises of God.
Further Study Scripture References
Ecclesiastes 1:9: “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” — Highlights the cyclical nature of life and the value of learning from historical patterns.
Acts 10:34: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” — Confirms that God applies the same spiritual laws and rewards to anyone who exercises faith and obedience.
1 Corinthians 11:1: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” — Shows Paul encouraging believers to imitate his lifestyle as he imitates Christ.
Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” — Explains that biblical records exist specifically to instruct and encourage believers.
VI. BIBLE READING PLAN
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Ezekiel 39–40
Ezekiel 39: The final destruction of Gog and his hordes upon the mountains of Israel. God decrees judgment with fire on Magog and those dwelling securely in the coastlands. The slaughter is so immense that Israel will spend seven months burying the dead to cleanse the land, using the enemies’ abandoned weapons as fuel for seven years. God calls every bird and wild beast to a great sacrificial feast upon the flesh of mighty men. The chapter concludes with God promising never again to hide His face from Israel, having poured out His Spirit upon them.
Ezekiel 40: Ezekiel is transported in a divine vision to a high mountain in Israel, where he sees a man whose appearance is like bronze holding a measuring line and reed. The man instructs Ezekiel to pay close attention and declare everything he sees to the house of Israel. The vision details the meticulous dimensions of the millenial temple: the outer wall, the eastern, northern, and southern outer gates with their guardrooms, alcoves, and porticos; the inner court gates; the rooms for preparing sacrifices; and the tables for slaughtering burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.
VII. HYMN 28: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven!
Feed me now and evermore;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven!
Feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer! Strong Deliverer!
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Strong Deliverer! Strong Deliverer!
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
If I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling torrent,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises! Songs of praises!
I will ever give to Thee;
Songs of praises! Songs of praises!
I will ever give to Thee.
Saviour, come! We long to see Thee,
Long to dwell with Thee above;
And to know in full communion,
All the sweetness of Thy love.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
Take Thy waiting people home;
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
Take Thy waiting people home.
VIII. PROPHETIC DECREE
I decree and declare that on this Sunday, September 6, 2026, the spirit of wisdom, teachability, and spiritual discernment is released upon your life!
Every blind spot, spiritual pride, and slothfulness that hinders you from learning from others is completely destroyed!
God connects you with the right mentors, spiritual fathers, and biblical patterns that will accelerate your growth and protect you from costly mistakes!
As you study the story behind the glory, you inherit double-portion grace, unshakeable faith, and persistent patience, stepping into your glorious destiny in Christ Jesus! Amen! Hallelujah!
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