The Open Heaven 9 November 2025 devotional for today is THE BACKSTAGE AND THE LIMELIGHT I.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 9 NOVEMBER 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: THE BACKSTAGE AND THE LIMELIGHT I
MEMORISE:
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:25
READ: Matthew 6:1-6:
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 9 NOVEMBER 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
Yesterday, I mentioned that I would discuss what I learned from Matthew 10:2, so I will focus on this verse for the next few days. The verse says,
“… The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;”
The question is, why was Andrew listed second even though he encountered Christ first (John 1:40-41)? Normally, if I were to arrange the list of apostles by their first encounter with Jesus, I would say the first is Andrew, the second is Peter, and so on. This makes me believe that the verse lists the apostles by Jesus’ intended hierarchy. However, as time went on, Andrew dropped from number two, such that he was not even among the first three apostles.
Whenever Jesus wanted to go somewhere special, He would go with Peter, James, and John. What caused Andrew to be demoted?
If you read through the Bible, you will not find a single flaw about Andrew. Some of the other apostles had flaws: Peter denied Jesus thrice, and James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy an entire town that did not welcome Jesus (Luke 9:51-54). Despite this, it seemed that Andrew got demoted.
However, the Lord told me that Andrew was not demoted; instead, he was promoted. The Lord told me that when Jesus informed the mother of James and John that only His Father will determine those who will sit on His right and left, He meant that the seats were already reserved. The Lord then further whispered to me that one of those seats has been reserved for Andrew.
What happens behind the scenes is usually greater than what happens in the limelight. While most people focus on the stage, the real work and benefits are usually behind the scenes. You may not know it, but the producers of successful movies, who are behind the scenes, usually earn more and are more respected than the actors in the limelight. They also don’t have to deal with the distractions and pressures that come with fame.
Beloved, don’t be desperate for public recognition and the approval of others. Your main focus should be on fulfilling God’s will for your life in whatever capacity He has placed you. God rewards based on faithfulness and obedience, not on fame or perceived influence.
I pray that God will reward you bountifully as you focus solely on pleasing Him (2 Corinthians 5:9)
KEY POINT
God does not reward based on popularity but on faithfulness and obedience.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
John 18-19
HYMN 30: WHEN WE WALK WITH THE LORD
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 9 NOVEMBER 2025 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: 1 Corinthians 1:25 (KJV)
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
This verse dismantles human value systems, declaring that God’s ways, which may appear foolish or weak to worldly wisdom, are infinitely superior. It calls us to trust His hidden, often counterintuitive, economy of reward and promotion.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 6:1-6
This passage establishes the foundational principle of seeking God’s reward over man’s applause:
- v. 1: A warning against practicing righteousness for public recognition, as it forfeits heavenly reward.
- v. 2-4: The example of giving—done in secret, rewarded by the Father openly.
- v. 5-6: The example of prayer—done in the secret place, rewarded by the Father openly.
The Andrew Principle: God’s Hidden Economy of Promotion
Pastor E.A. Adeboye delivers a profound and counter-cultural revelation from what seems like a simple list of names. Through the example of Andrew, he dismantles the world’s obsession with front-stage prominence and unveils God’s divine system of evaluation, where faithfulness in obscurity often earns the greatest eternal rewards.
1. The Puzzle of Apparent Demotion
The World’s Hierarchy vs. God’s Hierarchy:
Daddy Adeboye identifies a seeming contradiction. Andrew, who was first to follow Jesus and who brought his brother Peter to Christ (John 1:40-42), is listed second in Matthew 10:2 and later is not part of the “inner circle” (Peter, James, and John). From a human perspective, this looks like a demotion based on invisible criteria.
The Flawless Yet “Overlooked” Servant:
The devotional makes a striking observation: the Bible records no major flaw or failure of Andrew. In contrast, the prominent inner circle disciples had public missteps. This challenges our human notion that performance and perfection lead to front-row positions, revealing that God’s promotions are based on different metrics entirely.
2. The Divine Revelation: The Hidden Promotion
The Reserved Seat of Honor:
The core of the message is the divine whisper Daddy Adeboye received: Andrew was not demoted but promoted. His seat, though not in the earthly “inner circle,” is reserved in the highest place of honor—at the right or left hand of Jesus in His kingdom (Matthew 20:23). This redefines what true promotion means in God’s kingdom.
The Principle of Behind-the-Scenes Value:
Using the powerful analogy of a movie producer, the devotional illustrates that the most significant work, influence, and reward are often found away from the spotlight. The “producers” in God’s kingdom—those who pray, give, serve, and disciple in secret—hold eternal weight of glory that far surpasses temporary fame (2 Corinthians 4:17).
3. The Call to Faithful Obscurity
Freedom from the Lust for Recognition:
The world, and sadly much of modern Christianity, is desperate for public recognition, likes, and followers. The Andrew Principle liberates us from this bondage. Our primary focus shifts from seeking a platform to seeking the face of the One we serve, trusting that our audience is an audience of One.
Pleasing God as the Supreme Goal:
The ultimate takeaway is that our life’s aim must be singular: to be well-pleasing to the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:9). When this is our focus, we can joyfully serve in the shadows, confident that our Heavenly Father, who sees in secret, will reward us openly in His perfect time and way (Matthew 6:6).
How to Embrace the Andrew Principle in Your Life
1. Faithfulness Over Fame:
In your service—whether in the church nursery, the finance committee, or intercessory prayer—focus on being faithful, not famous. Pour your heart into your assignment as unto the Lord, not unto men (Colossians 3:23).
2. Celebrate Others’ Spotlight:
When a brother or sister is elevated to a visible position you may have desired, rejoice genuinely. See it as Andrew must have seen Peter’s prominence: as part of God’s perfect plan, knowing your own reward is secure in Christ.
3. Cultivate a Secret Life with God:
Invest heavily in the disciplines no one sees: private prayer, personal Bible study, and secret giving. This is where true spiritual capital is accumulated and where God does His deepest work.
Warning: The Deception of Public Acclaim
Seeking the limelight brings the “distractions and pressures of fame” that can shipwreck faith. It often leads to compromise, pride, and a performance-based identity. Many who are celebrated on earth may find themselves last in heaven, while the hidden servants like Andrew will be first (Matthew 19:30).
Conclusion: Your Eternal Reward is Secure in Secret
Pray this:
“Heavenly Father, deliver me from the desperate need for human recognition. Help me to embrace the calling of Andrew—to be a faithful, behind-the-scenes builder of Your kingdom. I trust that You see in secret and that my true promotion and reward are eternally secure in Your hands. Let my life be singularly focused on pleasing You, in Jesus’ name.”
Action Steps:
- Identify Your “Andrew Assignment”: What is a faithful, hidden service you can perform this week without telling anyone? Do it as an act of worship for God’s eyes only.
- Study the “Hidden” Saints: Read about people like Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30) or the unnamed woman with the alabaster box (Matthew 26:6-13). Note how Jesus honored their often-overlooked faithfulness.
- Audit Your Motives: Before posting on social media or sharing a testimony, ask yourself: “Is this to glorify God, or to gain approval and recognition for myself?”
Remember: In God’s kingdom, the backstage crew often receives a greater ovation in eternity than the stage actors. Your faithfulness in obscurity is building an eternal weight of glory that will far outweigh any momentary applause on earth.
“And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” (Mark 10:44). This is the path to true greatness.
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