Thirty-seven loyal and fearless chief warriors led David’s army (2 Samuel 23:8-39). Collectively known as “the Thirty” (vv. 13, 23-24), God used these men to fulfill His purpose of making David king of the entire land of Israel (1 Chronicles 11:10). Of these chief warriors, a group called “the Three” (2 Samuel 23:8) were David’s top elite commanders. Josheb-Basshebeth killed eight hundred men at one time (v. 8). Eleazar struck down the Philistines after the rest of the Israelites had abandoned him (vv. 9-10). And Shammah stood his ground against the Philistines and was victorious through God’s power while the rest of Israel’s troops fled (vv. 11-12). The apostle Paul likens the faith of believers in Jesus to warfare, urging us to “put on the full armor of God” in order to “stand [our] ground” (Ephesians 6:13). Today, God can give us courage as we fight our battles and enable us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (v. 10).

Lord, like Eliud begot Eleazar, You know my name and never forget me.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE: FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2026 TOPIC: BREAKING COVENANTS, PART 1 MEMORIZE: "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?" Ezekiel 17:15 (KJV) BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 2:27-31 27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house. MESSAGE: God is faithful; He never breaks His promises, nor does He go back on His word. James 1:17 says that there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He never breaks His covenants. However, if a fellow breaks a covenant he or she has made with God, then God is under no obligation to keep His part of the covenant. In Numbers 25:6-13, God made a covenant of eternal priesthood with Phinehas, Eleazar's son, because, in his zeal for the Lord, he struck a man and his concubine dead. However, in today's Bible reading, God told Eli, "I entered into a covenant that you and your father's house will stand before Me forever, but since you have broken the covenant, I am saying, let it be far from Me." Eli's carelessness annulled the covenant God made with his ancestor, Phinehas. As a result of the broken covenant, God's hedge of protection departed from Eli's household, and his two sons died on the same day. When Eli heard the news of their death, he also died that same day, along with the wife of one of his sons. This illustrates the importance of a covenant and that the consequence of breaking one is usually death. The death of a person who is a party to a covenant typically releases such a person from fulfilling his or her part in the covenant; however, God remains faithful to His covenants, even after a person He is in covenant with dies. Deuteronomy 7:9 says that He keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments to the thousandth generation. Exodus 34:7 tells us that He keeps mercy for thousands. When you keep your covenant with God, it will extend to your descendants. When God promised Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18), that promise found its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, who came 42 generations after Abraham, approximately 2,000 years later. When God promised David that he would always have a seed to sit on the throne (Psalm 89:3-4,29), He never broke His side of the covenant. That covenant was also fulfilled in Jesus. Beloved, remain faithful to your covenant with God, for in doing so, you will release immeasurable blessings upon yourself and your descendants for generations to come. KEY POINT: God is faithful; He never breaks His covenants. BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JEREMIAH 51 - 52 AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE HYMNAL 11 - STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST OUR KING 1. Standing on the promises of Christ our King, Thro' eternal ages ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, 21ST AUGUST, 2026 *BREAKING COVENANTS I* ‎ 1.Father, You are the faithful God; the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, the covenant keeping God. 2.Father, thank You for Your faithfulness from generation to generation; You never break Your covenant because You are not a man that will lie or repent of his words. 3.Father, please help me not to break Your covenant or fail to fulfill my own part of Your covenant with me. Help me not to be careless in my walk with You, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to break Your covenant so that Your hedge of protection will not depart from my household, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please help me not to ignore the correction and discipline on the children You have given me so they won't miss Your covenant for their lives, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to be faithful to Your covenant throughout my living, and never to compromise at any point in time, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please let my love for You be on the increase daily and help me to keep Your commandments for an extension of the blessings of Your covenant to my descendants, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please let the promises in Your covenant find fulfillment in my life and in the lives of my children's children, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help me to remain faithful in your covenant; please release Your immense blessings upon my life and on my descendants, in Jesus' name. 10.Father, please show me Your mercy, and help me to repent in any area I have broken Your covenant, in Jesus' name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Help him never to break Your covenant, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation *These prayers have no expiry date! Please join us in prayer, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus’ name.

#Numbers #BookOfNumbers #BibleStudy #KJVBible #OldTestament #BibleHistory #BibleTimeline #BibleCharacters #Moses #Aaron #Miriam #Joshua #Caleb #Eleazar #Balaam #Balak #Phinehas #Korah #Israel #WildernessJourney #MountSinai #KadeshBarnea #MountHor #PlainsOfMoab #PromisedLand #GodsFaithfulness #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #Obedience #GodsPromises #BiblicalLeadership #BiblicalCharacters #Covenant #Holiness #GodsPresence #GodsGuidance #BronzeSerpent #BalaamsProphecy #ChristInTheOldTestament #JesusChrist #MessianicProphecy #ChristianFaith #BibleTeaching #BibleStudyGuide #StudyTheBible #WordOfGod #Scripture #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #SoliDeoGloria ✝️📖🕊️

Women of God Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah- Claiming Their Inheritance in The Land The five daughters of Zelophehad approached Moses and pleaded their case. Their father had died without sons. They want to inherit land in the promised land or their father’s family branch will disappear. So Moses seeks counsel from the Lord and the Lord says they are right and he even changed the law to accommodate them. We learn that context changes, divine wisdom is called for. The Bible does not cover every situation we will ever encounter. Israel had Moses and the prophets, who could consult God. But what now? Yes, we have scripture and all the wisdom it offers, yet we have something even more. We have the Holy Spirit! We can pray and he will give us discernment and wisdom. Heavenly Father, how you bless us. You see into every life and heart and wish them to prosper. You wish for no one to miss out on our inheritance through Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom to live well by your Holy Spirit and not by rules alone. Help your church be a blessing in this darkened world. The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They came forward and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.” So Moses brought their case before the Lord, and the Lord said to him, “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them. ” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Finishing What God Assigned Scripture Joshua 19:51 (NKJV) These were the inheritances which Eleazar the priest Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel divided as an inheritance by lot at Shiloh before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting So they made an end of dividing the country Completing God’s Work With Faithfulness Joshua chapter 19 concludes the long process of assigning the land to the remaining tribes of Israel. This chapter is about completion order and faithfulness. What God promised was now fully distributed. Every tribe received its portion and nothing was left undone. Verse 51 emphasizes that the work was completed before the Lord. This was not merely administrative work it was sacred responsibility. The land was divided in God’s presence according to His direction. Joshua and the leaders stayed faithful to the task until it was finished. This chapter reminds us that God values completion as much as obedience. Starting well is important but finishing well matters deeply. God had entrusted Joshua with leading the people into the land and ensuring each tribe received its inheritance. Joshua did not rush the process nor abandon it early. He completed it with care reverence and faithfulness. For believers today Joshua 19 teaches us to steward God’s assignments responsibly. God gives callings seasons and responsibilities and He desires that we carry them through to completion with integrity. Faithfulness honors God especially in tasks that feel long detailed or routine. Reflection Questions 1. Am I remaining faithful to complete what God has entrusted to me 2. Do I honor God in the details of my responsibilities 3. What does finishing well look like in my current season Prayer Lord God thank You for trusting me with the responsibilities You have given. Help me to remain faithful from beginning to end. Teach me to honor You in both the visible and unseen work and to finish every assignment with obedience and integrity. In Jesus name Amen.

Stand Your Ground and Hold Your Sword! David's mighty men were not ordinary warriors. They were men who faced overwhelming odds, stood firm when others ran, and trusted God to give them victory. Their stories remind us that God is looking for believers who will remain faithful in the middle of difficult battles. - 2 Samuel 23:8-12 (KJV) Thought of The Day... Eleazar: Hold On to Your Sword The Bible says: "He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day." (2 Samuel 23:10) Eleazar fought until his hand became stuck to his sword. He refused to let go, even when he was exhausted. The sword represents the Word of God. There will be seasons when you are tired, discouraged, and under attack. The enemy will try to convince you to quit praying, stop believing, and abandon God's promises. But like Eleazar, you must keep holding on to the Word. When your strength runs out, God's strength takes over. The victory was not won because Eleazar was strong; the victory came because "the LORD wrought a great victory that day." Sometimes your breakthrough comes after you've fought longer than you thought you could endure. Shammah: Defend What God Has Given You The Bible says: "But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it..." (2 Samuel 23:12) While everyone else fled, Shammah stayed. The field of lentils may have looked insignificant to others, but Shammah knew it was worth defending. The enemy often attacks the very things God has entrusted to us: • Your family • Your marriage • Your ministry • Your faith • Your peace • Your calling Many people surrender territory because they think it is too small to matter. But every blessing God gives is worth protecting. Shammah teaches us that sometimes faith means standing when everyone else is running. God Still Gives Great Victories Both stories end with the same truth: "The LORD wrought a great victory." The battle belonged to the warriors, but the victory belonged to God. You may be facing giants, opposition, sickness, family struggles, financial challenges, or spiritual warfare. Do not measure your situation by your strength. Measure it by God's power. The same God who gave Eleazar strength to keep fighting and gave Shammah courage to keep standing is the same God who is with you today. Hold your sword. Stand your ground. Trust God for the victory. Something to Think About... 1. What "sword" (promise from God's Word) do you need to hold onto today? 2. What area of your life has God called you to defend instead of abandon? 3. Are you relying on your strength or God's strength in your current battle? Prayer... Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of a new week and for waking me up this Monday morning with Your grace, mercy, and strength. As I begin this day, I thank You for the example of David’s mighty men—warriors who stood firm, fought faithfully, and refused to give up even when the battle was difficult. Lord, help me to hold tightly to Your Word when I am weary and tired. When challenges arise this week, give me the courage to stand firm when others retreat and the wisdom to trust You in every situation. Strengthen my faith to defend what You have entrusted to me—my family, my calling, my ministry, my work, and my relationship with You. Father, remind me that every victory comes from You and not from my own strength or ability. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and empower me to walk in confidence, obedience, and faith throughout this week. Let me be steadfast, unmovable, and faithful in every battle I face. Keep my heart encouraged, my mind focused, and my eyes fixed on You. Your Word declares, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Help me to live out this truth today and every day. Through Your power, I declare that I will not quit, I will not surrender, and I will not lose heart. I will trust You in every challenge, praise You in every circumstance, and walk boldly in the purpose You have ordained for my life. I declare that this week will be filled with Your favor, protection, provision, peace, and divine opportunities. May Your hand rest upon me and my family, and may Your glory be revealed in all that I do. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. Declaration... Today I declare that I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I will hold firmly to God's Word. I will stand my ground in faith. I will not be moved by fear, opposition, or adversity. The Lord fights for me, strengthens me, and gives me victory. Every battle I face is an opportunity for God to reveal His power. I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, and the Lord will bring me through victorious. Amen! 📖⚔️

He stood his ground alone in a field when the rest of the army turned and fled. Eleazar fought the enemy with such terrifying intensity that his muscles locked, and his hand literally froze to his sword. ⚔️🩸 2 Samuel 23 records the feats of David’s elite shadow warriors. One of the top three was Eleazar, son of Dodai. The army of Israel was gathered for battle against the Philistines, but when the enemy advanced, the Israelite soldiers panicked and fled, leaving Eleazar stranded in a barley field. He refused to retreat. Infused with supernatural, holy endurance, Eleazar stood his ground alone against an entire military force. He swung his broadsword continuously for hours, striking down enemy soldiers in every direction. The Bible records a chilling detail of physical and spiritual intensity: "He stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword." His hand completely locked around the weapon. God granted a monumental victory that day. HEAR THIS! True spiritual authority does not look at the number of deserters around you; it grips the sword of the Word until your identity becomes one with the weapon, forcing the enemy to fall at your feet. #The_preaching_prophet FOLLOW FOR MORE BIBLE REVELATIONS

God Appoints Your Portion Scripture Numbers 34:17 (NKJV) These are the names of the men who shall divide the land among you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. God Determines Our Inheritance In this verse, God appoints Eleazar the priest and Joshua to oversee the division of the Promised Land. This was more than a geographic assignment—it was a spiritual one. God Himself determined what land each tribe would receive. He set the boundaries, assigned the portions, and ensured that every tribe knew exactly where they belonged. Their inheritance was not random; it was intentionally given. For believers today, this verse reminds us that God is the One who appoints our place, purpose, and portion. He knows where we belong and what He has called us to do. Our identity, our calling, and our blessings are not accidents—they are carefully prepared by the Lord. We do not need to compete, compare, or covet someone else’s portion. God has given us our own. This verse encourages us to trust God’s assignment for our lives. His boundaries are good, His purposes are wise, and His distribution is perfect. Reflection Questions 1. Do I trust that God has placed me exactly where I need to be in this season? 2. Am I content with the “portion” God has assigned me, or do I compare myself to others? 3. How can I better embrace God’s calling and purpose for my life today? Prayer Lord God, thank You for appointing my portion and guiding my life. Help me to trust Your plan and to be content in the place You have assigned. Teach me to embrace Your calling with faith and gratitude, knowing that Your plans for me are good. In Jesus name, Amen.

Going Into Battle With God’s Presence Scripture Numbers 31:6 (NKJV) Then Moses sent them to the war, one thousand from each tribe, he sent them to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the holy articles and the signal trumpets in his hand. God Goes Before His People In this verse, Israel is commanded to go into battle, but they do not go alone. Moses sends the warriors out with Phinehas the priest, along with the holy articles and the trumpets used to signal God’s presence and direction. This shows that Israel’s confidence in battle was not in their numbers or weapons, but in the presence of God who went before them. For believers today, this truth is powerful. We all face battles—spiritual warfare, challenges, temptations, and moments of testing. But like Israel, we never fight alone. God’s presence goes with us, His Word guides us, and His Spirit strengthens us. Victory does not depend on our strength but on His power. This verse reminds us to never enter our battles without bringing God with us. When His presence leads, we can face every challenge with confidence and courage. Reflection Questions 1. Do I face my battles in my own strength, or do I rely on God’s presence? 2. What spiritual battles am I facing right now that I need to surrender to God? 3. How can I bring God’s Word and prayer into the challenges I face? Prayer Lord God, thank You for going before me in every battle. Help me to rely on Your presence and not my own strength. Teach me to face challenges with courage, trusting that You fight for me and with me. Lead me, guide me, and strengthen me by Your Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.