The Open Heavens 6 August 2026 devotional for today is NOT BY MIGHT.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 6 AUGUST 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: NOT BY MIGHT
MEMORISE
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6
READ: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 6 AUGUST 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
What a person will become during his or her sojourn on earth will not depend solely on the fellow’s efforts. African elders have an adage that says, Hustling and bustling does not translate to wealth? This is true because, for instance, dockworkers who offload cargo from a ship from sunrise to sunset typically would earn only a fraction of what the Chief Executive Officer of a wharf, who sits in an air conditioned office, sipping tea and merely signing documents, would earn. At the end of a month, the fellow’s salary might even be more than what a hefty, hardworking dockworker will earn in a whole year!
Today’s Bible reading makes it clear that the fact that a fellow can run swiftly does not mean that he or she will win a race, and the fact that a fellow is strong does not mean that he or she will defeat an enemy. The passage goes on to say that bread is not to the wise, neither are riches to men of understanding. This means that a fellow’s advanced level of education alone will not determine how wealthy he or she will become.
I recall that I was in Redemption Camp (now Redemption City) sometime between 1983 and 1984, spending time alone with God, and crying to Him. I said, “God, I’m not asking for clothes, a car, or a house. I was minding my business as a lecturer at the university when You asked me to come and serve You. I agreed, and I really want to serve You; however, I need power to do Your work. I don’t want to be an ordinary pastor; I want to excel.” In desperation, I added, “God, it is either You empower me, or You take me home.” My prayer touched Him, and that night, the entire campground shook due to an earthquake that sent tremors as far as jebu Ode, a town several kilometres away. The Lord visited me and empowered me with His anointing to excel.
Beloved, you need God’s anointing to excel. It is God who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), it is only His anointing that can teach you everything you need to know (1 John 2:27), and it is only through Him that you can do all things (Philippians 4:13). This is why you must cry out to God to anoint you just as I did several years ago. I pray that my Daddy will empower you to excel, in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Dear Lord, please visit me and empower me to excel, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 9-11
Open Heavens HYMN 1: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 6 AUGUST 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Zechariah 4:6
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Human effort, education, and natural strength are not enough to excel in God’s kingdom or in life. What you need is the Spirit of God—His anointing—to do what your own efforts cannot accomplish.
BIBLE READING: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
This passage declares that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill—but time and chance happen to them all. Human effort alone does not guarantee success. Ultimately, God’s sovereign hand determines the outcome.
Hustling vs. The Anointing
“What a person will become during his or her sojourn on earth will not depend solely on the fellow’s efforts. African elders have an adage that says, ‘Hustling and bustling does not translate to wealth.’ This is true because, for instance, dockworkers who offload cargo from a ship from sunrise to sunset typically would earn only a fraction of what the Chief Executive Officer of a wharf, who sits in an air conditioned office, sipping tea and merely signing documents, would earn.”
| Hard Work Alone | The Anointing |
|---|---|
| The dockworker works from sunrise to sunset | The CEO sits in an office and signs documents |
| The dockworker sweats and strains | The CEO works with ease |
| The dockworker earns a fraction | The CEO earns exponentially more |
“At the end of a month, the fellow’s salary might even be more than what a hefty, hardworking dockworker will earn in a whole year!”
Human effort has its limits. The anointing gives you access, favor, and supernatural efficiency that hard work alone cannot produce.
The Race Is Not to the Swift (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
“Today’s Bible reading makes it clear that the fact that a fellow can run swiftly does not mean that he or she will win a race, and the fact that a fellow is strong does not mean that he or she will defeat an enemy.”
| What Does Not Guarantee Success | What Is Needed |
|---|---|
| Running swiftly (speed) | Divine timing and favor |
| Being strong (natural ability) | God’s empowerment |
| Being wise (education, intelligence) | The anointing that teaches |
| Having understanding (skill, strategy) | God’s blessing and direction |
“The passage goes on to say that bread is not to the wise, neither are riches to men of understanding. This means that a fellow’s advanced level of education alone will not determine how wealthy he or she will become.”
| You Can Have | But Without the Anointing |
|---|---|
| A PhD | You may still lack provision |
| A strategic mind | You may still miss opportunities |
| Hard work and discipline | You may still struggle financially |
Daddy Adeboye’s Testimony: Crying Out for the Anointing
“I recall that I was in Redemption Camp (now Redemption City) sometime between 1983 and 1984, spending time alone with God, and crying to Him. I said, ‘God, I’m not asking for clothes, a car, or a house. I was minding my business as a lecturer at the university when You asked me to come and serve You. I agreed, and I really want to serve You; however, I need power to do Your work. I don’t want to be an ordinary pastor; I want to excel.’”
| What Daddy Adeboye Did Not Ask | What He Did Ask |
|---|---|
| Material things (clothes, car, house) | Power to do God’s work |
| Comfort or ease | Excellence in ministry |
| Ordinary provision | Extraordinary empowerment |
“In desperation, I added, ‘God, it is either You empower me, or You take me home.’ My prayer touched Him, and that night, the entire campground shook due to an earthquake that sent tremors as far as Ijebu Ode, a town several kilometres away. The Lord visited me and empowered me with His anointing to excel.”
| His Prayer | The Response |
|---|---|
| “Empower me or take me home” | God visited him that night |
| He prayed with desperation | The ground shook |
| He wanted to excel | He received the anointing |
You Need the Anointing to Excel
“Beloved, you need God’s anointing to excel. It is God who gives power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), it is only His anointing that can teach you everything you need to know (1 John 2:27), and it is only through Him that you can do all things (Philippians 4:13).”
| What the Anointing Does | Scripture |
|---|---|
| Gives power to get wealth | Deuteronomy 8:18 |
| Teaches you all things | 1 John 2:27 |
| Empowers you to do all things | Philippians 4:13 |
“This is why you must cry out to God to anoint you just as I did several years ago.”
| What You Need | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| The anointing to excel | Cry out to God in desperation |
| Power to do His work | Seek Him with urgency |
| Wisdom and favor | Ask Him to empower you |
How to Cry Out for the Anointing (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s testimony, here is how to position yourself for God’s empowering anointing:
1. Be Desperate for God, Not Just for Things
Daddy Adeboye did not ask for material things. He asked for power to do God’s work. Examine your heart: are you asking for things to consume on your own pleasure, or for empowerment to serve God?
2. Spend Time Alone with God
Daddy Adeboye was at Redemption Camp, alone with God. Make time to separate yourself from distractions and seek His face. Prayer retreats, fasting, and extended times of seeking God position you for His anointing.
3. Pray with Desperation
His prayer was not casual: “Empower me or take me home.” Desperation touches God. Do not pray polite, comfortable prayers when you need His power. Cry out.
4. Ask for the Right Thing
Do not ask for fame, money, or recognition. Ask for the anointing to excel in His purpose. Seek His kingdom, and He will add everything else.
5. Expect a Response
Daddy Adeboye expected God to answer. He prayed until something happened. Do not pray and forget. Expect God to visit you. Expect the ground to shake in your life.
Warning: Without the Anointing, You Will Be Ordinary
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries an urgent encouragement: you can work hard and still not excel if you lack the anointing.
| With the Anointing | Without the Anointing |
|---|---|
| You do what others cannot | You struggle like everyone else |
| You have supernatural efficiency | You rely solely on natural effort |
| You excel and make an impact | You remain ordinary |
Conclusion: Your Prayer for the Anointing
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will empower you to excel. Cry out to Him today for His anointing.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I come before You like Daddy Adeboye did. I am not asking for clothes, a car, or a house. I am asking for power to do Your work. I don’t want to be ordinary. I don’t want to struggle all my life. I want to excel. I want to run my race with speed. I want to defeat my enemies. I want to be fruitful. Lord, empower me. Anoint me. Teach me by Your Spirit. Give me power to get wealth—not for myself, but for Your kingdom. I am desperate for You. Either empower me, Lord, or take me home. Visit me. Let the ground shake in my life. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- The Desperation Check: Are you desperate for God’s anointing, or are you just comfortable with your current level of success? If you are not desperate, ask God to give you a holy desperation.
- The Prayer Retreat: Set aside time this week to be alone with God. Even if it is just a few hours, separate yourself from distractions. Cry out to Him for empowerment.
- The Anointing Audit: Where have you been relying solely on your own effort? Identify one area and ask God for His Spirit to empower you there.
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