The Open Heaven 16 May 2025 devotional for today is DIVINE TURNAROUND.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 16 MAY 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: DIVINE TURNAROUND
MEMORISE
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
Psalm 3:4
READ: Mark 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 16 MAY 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
In 1963, when the late Namdi Azikiwe (popularly | called Zik) was Governor General of Nigeria, he visited Ondo town. At that time, I was a teacher at Ondo Boys’ High School.
Because the governor was going to be passing by, the whole town lined the route. I was standing behind an elderly man who was also a teacher at the school. As Zik was driving by in an open car, somehow, he spotted this elderly teacher in the crowd. Immediately, he stopped the motorcade, came down from the car, and stood before the old man. I don’t know exactly what they said to each other, but the old man began to cry. Eventually, we discovered that the old man was a teacher at the secondary school Zik attended and was responsible for his expulsion from the school.
God can turn things around for you such that when your enemies come, you will say to them, “See what the Lord has done.” When the Lord turned the story of the Israelites around after they cried to Him, the Egyptians, who hated them, gave them everything they asked for.
And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. Exodus 12:36
I can imagine some of the Israelites going to knock on the doors of the slave masters who had been beating them, demanding their favourite clothes and shoes. The slave masters didn’t have any choice but to grant their requests because God had stepped into the picture to turn things around for His people.
Bartimaeus was born blind, and for years, he had been sitting on a highway begging for alms. However, one day, as he sat as usual, Jesus came along.
Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was the key to his turnaround, so he began to cry for help. As he shouted, people shouted at him to keep quiet. Thankfully, Bartimaeus didn’t obey them.
Instead, he cried louder until Jesus attended to him. When Jesus called for him, those who told him to keep quiet were the same ones who said, “…Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee” (Mark 10:46-52).
Beloved, how hungry are you for a divine turnaround? If you really want one, you will yearn to get Jesus’ attention, just as Bartimaeus did. Don’t stop crying out to Him in faith; He is faithful and loving, and He will surely turn things around for your good.
KEY POINT
God turns things around for those who draw close to Him.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 32-34
RCCG HYMN 25: THE GREAT PHYSICIANS NOW IS NEAR
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 16 MAY 2025 COMMENTARY
Memorise: Psalm 3:4 (KJV)
This verse captures the essence of today’s message – persistent prayer moves God to action, resulting in supernatural turnarounds.
Bible Reading: Mark 10:46-52 (KJV)
The story of blind Bartimaeus demonstrates how desperate faith attracts divine intervention, turning hopeless situations into testimonies.
Key Insights from Today’s Open Heavens Devotional
1. The Nature of Divine Turnaround
- Unexpected Reversals:
God specialises in suddenly changing narratives (1 Samuel 2:8). The devotional gives three powerful examples:- The Ondo Teacher: From causing the expulsion of Zik to seeing his honour
- The Israelites: From slaves to plundering Egypt (Exodus 12:36)
- Bartimaeus: From blind beggar to healed worshipper
- Divine Justice:
What Satan meant for evil, God turns for good (Genesis 50:20).
2. Conditions for Supernatural Turnaround
- Desperate Faith (Mark 10:47-48)
- Bartimaeus’ loud cries overcame crowd opposition
- His persistence (“cried much more”) moved Jesus to stop
- Divine Timing (Exodus 3:7-8)
- After 430 years of slavery, God said “Now is the time”
- Bartimaeus’ day came when Jesus passed by
- Favorable Positioning
- The Israelites had to be dressed and ready (Exodus 12:11)
- Bartimaeus positioned himself where Jesus would pass
3. The Process of Turnaround
- Recognition of Need (Mark 10:47)
- Bartimaeus admitted his blindness
- Rejection of Opposition (Mark 10:48)
- He refused to be silenced by critics
- Response to Divine Call (Mark 10:49-50)
- Immediately cast aside his beggar’s garment
- Receiving by Faith (Mark 10:51-52)
- Specific request led to instant miracle
4. Modern Applications
- For the Oppressed:
Like the Israelites, your “Egyptians” will soon finance your freedom - For the Disgraced:
Like Namdi Azikiwe, your past shame won’t hinder your future honour - For the Sick/Destitute:
Like Bartimaeus, your healing is one divine encounter away
Practical Steps to Experience Turnaround
Cry Out Persistently (Luke 18:1-8)
- Action: List areas needing turnaround – pray daily with Scriptures
- Warning: Don’t let “crowds” (discouragers) silence you
Prepare for Your Moment (Esther 4:14)
- Action: Like Bartimaeus, position yourself where God moves (church, prayer meetings)
- Example: The Israelites packed before deliverance came (Exodus 12:11)
Cast Off Old Identities (Mark 10:50)
- Action: Renounce “beggar” mentalities (poverty, sickness, failure)
- Declaration: “I am who God says I am!”
Warning vs. Promise
- Warning: “Passivity forfeits turnarounds” (Revelation 3:15-16)
- Promise: “Those who seek shall find” (Matthew 7:7)
Conclusion: Your Turnaround is Coming!
- God records every tear (Psalm 56:8) – your cries move Him
- No condition is permanent – Bartimaeus’ blindness wasn’t his destiny
- Divine reversals glorify God – your story will testify of His power
Prayer Response
“Father, I cry out like Bartimaeus for turnaround in ______ (name areas). Silence every opposing voice. Position me for my divine moment. I cast off every limiting identity. Let my life become a testimony of Your power, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Final Encouragement
“The same God who turned slaves into conquerors and blind beggars into witnesses is working on your case!”
Will you keep crying out until your change comes?
Read RCCG Open Heaven Devotional for Tomorrow
Download Open Heaven 16 May 2025 Devotional PDF
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