DATE: Wednesday, June 27, 2025

MEMORY VERSE: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

“God is never a third party in the affairs of His beloved. If you truly love and reverence Him, He comes first.”

PRAISE AND WORSHIP

PROPHETIC WORD FOR TODAY:

“God shall not be relegated to the rear position in your life, in the name of Jesus.”

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 (ESV)

12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—

5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along,[a] and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity[b] of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

Fear God and Keep His Commandments

9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.[c] 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with[d] every secret thing, whether good or evil.

MESSAGE: No Space In The Car – Prioritizing the Divine in Life’s Journey

Today’s devotional plunges us into a profound truth that underpins a life of faith: the absolute necessity of putting God first. For those who genuinely love God, this isn’t a suggestion; it’s a foundational principle. He’s never a “backbencher” in their lives, nor a convenient afterthought. The motivational quote beautifully articulates this: “God is never a third party in the affairs of His beloved. If you truly love and reverence Him, He comes first.” This statement isn’t just a spiritual platitude; it’s a blueprint for a life of purpose, protection, and unparalleled blessing. When we honor God with our lives, in every decision and every aspiration, we unleash His divine commitment to honor us in return. Conversely, as the message warns, those who continuously sideline God in their daily walk will inevitably face the consequences of such choices. If you persist in pushing God to the rear, the repercussions will fall squarely on your shoulders. Remember, He is the Alpha and Omega! He initiates, He sustains, and He completes. He leads the way and stands as a formidable shield and refuge for those who consciously choose to place their trust in Him. When God takes the lead in your life’s affairs, everything else truly does fall into its proper place, as Psalm 91 eloquently illustrates the comprehensive coverage He provides.

The Cautionary Tale: God in the Boot

The central story of today’s message serves as a chilling, yet profoundly illustrative, cautionary tale. It paints a vivid picture of human arrogance and the tragic consequences of relegating God to an afterthought.

It was a night poised for revelry, or so a group of drunken youths believed. Their vehicle, already filled with inebriated laughter and reckless abandon, pulled up to invite a female friend to join their doomed escapade. The girl’s mother, witnessing the alarming state of the car’s occupants and especially the driver, was gripped by a mother’s primal fear. As her daughter prepared to enter the chaotic vehicle, the mother, in a desperate plea for divine intervention, uttered a heartfelt prayer: “My daughter, God be with you and may He protect you.”

What followed was a response that would forever echo with tragic irony. The daughter, perhaps caught up in the cavalier spirit of her friends, or perhaps genuinely dismissive of the divine presence, retorted with chilling flippancy: “Since the car is already full, if God wants to enter into the car to protect me, He would have to sit in the boot.”

Hours later, the inevitable news arrived. The car, a metal coffin, was utterly destroyed in a fatal accident, crushed beyond any semblance of its original form. Every occupant, including the brazen daughter, perished. Yet, in a twist of divine irony and terrifying justice, the boot of the car remained miraculously intact. Not a single egg from a crate within it was broken. It was as if God, in His infinite capacity to honor even a casual, dismissive utterance, had indeed taken His place in the boot, protecting only what was explicitly relegated to His care in that moment.

This story is a stark, unforgettable reminder of the power of our words and the dangerous implications of our attitude towards the Almighty. The daughter’s flippant remark wasn’t just words; it was a clear articulation of her heart’s true posture – a heart where God had no priority, no space, no authority. Her tragic end serves as a grim warning: we cannot invite God in purely on our terms, offering Him the leftovers or the most inconvenient space.

The Power of Words: A Window to the Heart

The story’s impact extends beyond the immediate tragedy; it highlights a critical spiritual principle: our words are clear indications of what truly resides in our hearts. Jesus Himself taught, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The daughter’s dismissive comment wasn’t an isolated slip of the tongue; it was a symptom of a deeper spiritual condition.

Think about it:

Words reveal priorities: What we talk about most, what we jest about, and what we dismiss often reveal our true values. Her statement indicated that her friends, the party, and her own desires occupied all the ‘seats’ in her life, leaving no room for God.

Words carry spiritual weight: While God’s presence isn’t literally confined to a car’s boot, the spiritual principle stands: when we tell God where He can and cannot be in our lives, we are effectively limiting His influence and protection. Words spoken in jest, or in defiance, can have profound spiritual consequences.

Words shape reality: Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” While this doesn’t mean every casual word instantly manifests, a consistent pattern of dismissive or irreverent speech can shape our spiritual reality, closing doors to divine intervention.

Our language, therefore, is not merely communication; it’s a spiritual barometer. If our words constantly relegate God to the background, it’s a strong indication that our heart has already done the same. This applies not just to outright blasphemy, but to the subtle ways we talk about our schedules, our finances, our relationships, and our aspirations—if God isn’t genuinely factored into the conversation, He’s likely not fully factored into the heart either.

Righteousness Cannot Be Transferred: The Imperative of Personal Relationship

The message powerfully states: “Righteousness cannot be transferred.” This is a critical theological point often missed. No matter how godly a mother, father, spouse, or friend may be, their relationship with God cannot substitute for our own. The mother’s heartfelt prayer for protection was powerful, but it could not override her daughter’s conscious choice to push God aside.

This truth underscores the imperative of a personal relationship with God. You must be a “carrier of God’s power” yourself, rather than expecting God to “struggle for space in your life” because of someone else’s faith. This personal carrying of God’s power comes from:

Acknowledging God: Not just as a concept, but as a living, active presence in your daily life.

Giving Him Room: This is the crux of today’s message. It’s about more than just acknowledging; it’s about making space – intentional space – in your time, your decisions, your resources, and your desires.

Allowing Him to Dwell: If you consistently create room for Him, He promises to dwell with you (John 14:23). This dwelling is not an occasional visit but a constant, intimate presence that transforms your entire being.

Many believers fall into the trap of living off borrowed spiritual capital. They rely on the prayers of others, the spiritual disciplines of their parents, or the anointing of their pastors. While intercession and spiritual guidance are vital, they are supplements, not substitutes, for individual spiritual discipline and a genuine, active walk with God. As the devotional wisely observes, “Little can the prayers of others do to help you. You must get to the point of acknowledging God and giving Him a chance in the vehicle of your life.”

Beyond Playing Church: Authenticity Over Activity

The devotional challenges us to confront a widespread spiritual malady: “Let us stop playing church and putting up a front of righteousness—being full of activity, being religious but not godly.” This is a piercing call to authenticity.

“Playing church” describes a superficial engagement with faith, characterized by:

Religious Activity Without Relationship: Attending services, volunteering, tithing, and participating in church programs are all good. But if these activities are not rooted in a vibrant, personal relationship with God, they become mere ritual. We can be busy for God without actually being close to God.

External Righteousness Without Internal Transformation: This is about presenting a façade of godliness to the world or to the church community, while privately harboring sinful attitudes, engaging in compromise, or neglecting genuine heart change. It’s putting on a show rather than undergoing a true metamorphosis.

Seeking Man’s Approval Over God’s: When we “put up a front of righteousness,” our primary motivation is often to impress others or maintain a certain image, rather than to genuinely please God. This breeds hypocrisy and spiritual emptiness.

Being “religious but not godly” is a dangerous state. Religion, in its purest sense, is about our duty and devotion to God. But it can devolve into mere outward observance without the inner spiritual life. Godliness, on the other hand, is about being like God – reflecting His character, His holiness, His love, and His truth in our innermost being and outward conduct. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, fueled by a genuine desire to honor Him in all things.

The antidote to “playing church” is to give God the “driver’s seat.” It’s about relinquishing control, surrendering our agenda, and allowing His Holy Spirit to truly lead. When He is in control, our actions stem from a place of genuine devotion, not mere obligation or performance.

Ecclesiastes 12: A Sober Call to Remember Our Creator in Youth

Our Fire Scripture, Ecclesiastes 12:1-14, serves as a powerful, sobering reminder of life’s brevity and the urgent imperative to remember our Creator now, in the days of our youth, before it’s too late. The passage is a poetic, yet stark, depiction of old age and the decline of the human body, urging us to prioritize God before our physical and mental capacities wane.

The Decline of the Body (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5):

The Preacher paints a vivid, almost melancholic, picture of aging:

“before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them'”: A warning against waiting until life loses its vitality and joy.
“before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened”: A metaphor for the dimming of life’s vibrancy, perhaps even failing eyesight.
“the clouds return after the rain”: A cyclical return of troubles, or perhaps constant afflictions and infirmities.
“the keepers of the house tremble”: Our hands and arms, once strong, begin to shake.
“the strong men are bent”: Our legs and back, once upright, are stooped.
“the grinders cease because they are few”: Our teeth, essential for eating, fall out.
“those who look through the windows are dimmed”: Our eyes lose their clarity.
“the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low”: Difficulty hearing, or perhaps social isolation.
“one rises up at the sound of a bird”: Light sleep, easily disturbed.
“all the daughters of song are brought low”: The voice loses its strength and beauty.
“they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way”: Fear of heights, falls, and the general anxieties of old age.
“the almond tree blossoms”: White hair appears, like the white blossoms of the almond tree.
“the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails”: Weakness, loss of energy, and dwindling desires for earthly pleasures.
“because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets”: The inevitable approach of death.

This powerful imagery is not meant to depress, but to compel. It’s a stark reality check: our physical bodies are temporal, decaying vessels. If our focus is solely on earthly pursuits and pleasures within these fading bodies, we will be left with “no pleasure” in the days when our strength fails.

The Return to Dust (Ecclesiastes 12:6-7):

The imagery here is even more profound, speaking of the mechanisms of life breaking down:

“before the silver cord is snapped”: The spinal cord, the connection of body and spirit.
“or the golden bowl is broken”: The brain, the seat of thought and memory.
“or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern”: The heart and circulatory system, no longer able to draw the water of life.These vivid metaphors describe the final moments of life when the body ceases to function. And then, the ultimate reality: “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” This is the core message of our mortality. Our physical selves return to dust, but our spirit, our true essence, returns to God, its Creator. This truth demands that we live in preparation for that return.

The Conclusion: Fear God and Keep His Commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:8-14):

After the sobering reflection on life’s vanity and decline, the Preacher arrives at the grand conclusion:

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:8)

This summarizes the futility of chasing earthly pleasures and wisdom without God. The true purpose, the “whole duty of man,” is revealed in verse 13:

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

This “fear of God” is not terror, but reverence, awe, and humble submission. It is recognizing His supreme authority, His holiness, and His love. From this reverential fear flows obedience to His commandments. This is not burdensome legalism but a joyful response to His goodness. It is the only true source of meaning and fulfillment in a world full of vanity.

And why is this the whole duty? Because “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). This final verse reminds us of divine accountability. Every action, every secret thought, every choice we make – including whether we give God the boot or the driver’s seat – will be brought into the light of His perfect justice.

Practical Application: Giving God the Driver’s Seat

So, how do we apply this profound truth to our daily lives? How do we ensure there is always space for God, not just in the boot, but in the driver’s seat?

1: Consecrate Your Time: In a busy world, time for God is often the first thing to be sacrificed.

Morning Devotion: Start your day with God. Before checking your phone, emails, or social media, spend time in prayer and Bible reading. This sets the spiritual tone for your entire day.

Prioritize His House: Make church attendance and fellowship with believers a non-negotiable priority. This is where you are fed, encouraged, and held accountable.

Sabbath Rest: Honor the principle of rest and devotion to God one day a week, setting aside the distractions and demands of work and worldly pursuits.

2: Surrender Your Decisions: Don’t just involve God when you’re in trouble. Let Him lead every choice.

Career: Seek His will for your profession, not just personal ambition.

Relationships: Allow Him to guide your friendships, romantic relationships, and family dynamics.

Finances: Practice tithing and generosity, acknowledging Him as the source of your provision. Manage your resources wisely, as a steward, not an owner.

Small and Big: Cultivate the habit of asking God for guidance in seemingly minor decisions, building your reliance on Him for the major ones.

3: Align Your Desires: This is about renewing your mind (Romans 12:2).

Media and Entertainment: Be intentional about what you consume. Does it glorify God or desensitize you to sin? Does it draw you closer to Him or distract you?

Aspirations: Are your life goals primarily self-serving or kingdom-focused? What legacy are you building – a temporal one or an eternal one?

Character: Actively pursue the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) and allow God to prune away sinful habits and attitudes.

4: Embrace Accountability: Don’t try to walk the Christian life alone.

Spiritual Mentors: Seek out godly individuals who can speak into your life, offer wisdom, and hold you accountable.

Christian Community: Engage deeply with a local church, a small group, or a prayer partner. We need each other to stay on track.

5: Remember Your Creator Always: This is the ultimate call of Ecclesiastes 12.

In Youth: Make the most of your strength, energy, and freedom to serve God actively. Don’t wait until “the evil days come.”

In Adversity: When life gets tough, remember God is your refuge and shield. Don’t push Him aside in despair or anger.

In Prosperity: When things are good, don’t forget Him. Prosperity can be a greater test of faith than adversity, often leading to self-reliance.

“Give God a chance in your life. Do not keep Him in the boot; let Him be on the driver’s seat. Let Him be in control; let Him be in charge! Remember your Creator now; tomorrow may be too late!” This isn’t just a powerful closing statement; it’s a desperate plea for our eternal well-being. The story of the car is a vivid allegory for our lives. Who is driving your life? Is God merely a passenger in the boot, waiting to be called upon in an emergency, or is He firmly in control of the steering wheel, guiding you safely through every turn? The choice is yours, and the consequences are eternal.

PRAYER POINTS

MORNING

Worldly desires and vanities of life assigned to waste my life, clear away, and let God be enthroned in my life, in the name of Jesus.
O God, be enthroned in my life, in the name of Jesus.
I shall not leave God out of my calculation and affairs, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING

4. Every power from my foundation assigned to waste my destiny, die and be wasted, in the name of Jesus.

5. Spirit of Demas, depart from me, in the name of Jesus.

6. It shall not be too late for me before I decide to serve God, in the name of Jesus.

7. Every agenda of the devil to waste my life and destiny, scatter, in the name of Jesus.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 6:1-7:20; Acts 15:36-16:15; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 17:24-25