LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Thursday 25th June 2026

A TIME OF CONSECRATION

Scripture Reading: Joel 2:1-16

Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Joel 2:15–16

Welcome to the First Day of our 40 Days of Power

Joel was one of the Prophets who prophesied in the period after Israel had been sent into Exile. At a time of natural stress, the Lord instructed Joel to call for a fast among Judah.

- Blow the trumpet:

The fast was announced by a trumpet. That means it's a public fast; not a private one. In ancient Israel, the trumpet played a role similar to that of the talking drums in some African communities. The various sounds of the trumpet were used to make public announcements. Today, we use other means of public announcement to call for a public fast.

- Consecrate a fast:

To consecrate means to sanctify and dedicate oneself to something. In these forty days, we are dedicating ourselves to the Lord. We have had the freedom to eat since the beginning of the year; now, let us set aside these forty days to wait on the Lord.

- Call a sacred assembly:

A sacred assembly is a gathering of believers to dedicate themselves to God. That means it was a corporate fast not a personal one. It included the elders, children, babies, bridegrooms, brides and priests.

Today, we also consecrate a fast of 40 days to the Lord. Like the fast in the book of Joel, it is a consecrated fast. Today is the first day of our spiritual journey. We commit ourselves to seeking the face of the Lord and being conscious of His presence.

As we seek the Lord, He will hear us. The Lord will turn His face towards us. He will pay attention to our prayers.

The Lord will renew us by His Spirit. He will guide us. If you are lost, He will show you the way.

The Lord will open doors for us. He will bring us into an enlarged place.

The Lord will fight for us. He is your Man of War. He will give us victory and cause us to triumph.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I consecrate myself to wait on you. Let your Holy Spirit lead me as I seek your face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.