5 Hours Of Mercy Part 4 by Dr Paul Enenche: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Blessings Indeed

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 — Jabez was more honourable than his brethren. His mother called his name Jabez, saying: because I bore him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh, that thou wilt bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wilt keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me." And God granted him that which he requested.

Jabez did not just tell God: "Oh that you will bless me." He said: "Oh, that thou might bless me indeed." The objective is to understand blessings that are blessings indeed — a blessing that is truly a blessing.

The Hand of the Lord

Ezra and Nehemiah were beneficiaries of the hand of the Lord. Ezra 7:6 — This Ezra went up from Babylon and was a ready scribe in the law of Moses which the Lord God of Israel had given him. And the king granted him all his requests. Not because he was a scribe, not because of anything — but in proportion to the hand of God on his life.

When the hand of God is upon your life, it is very difficult for mortal men to say no.

When the hand of God is upon your life and there is a need for you to get something, it is difficult for a mortal man to say no. Nehemiah 2:8 — Nehemiah had a similar experience, testifying that the good hand of God was upon him.

The hand of the Lord is also the hand that protects. Ezra 8:31 — They departed from Babylon on the 12th day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of God was upon them, and He delivered them from the hand of the enemy and from those who lay in ambush by the way. The hand of the Lord is stronger than the hand of the enemy. It is hand versus hand.

Light and Insight as a Blessing

Light insight is a blessing. Matthew 13:16-17 — Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For verily I say unto you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things which you see and they have not seen them, and to hear the things which you hear and have not heard them. Jesus repeated this in Luke 10:23-24.

When light is caught from God and entered into, it becomes the foundation that navigates every challenge — including economic upheaval, currency shifts, and impossible circumstances. Light from the word provides stability that circumstances cannot shake.

Five Implications of the Altar

1. Consecration

   The altar is the place of consecration — the place of separation. Separation from habits, lifestyle, and people that are not needed in your life. Many people God wants to bless have a habit, a lifestyle, a character, a company they keep — and He says: I cannot bless you here. Your altar is not in place.

2. Covenant

   The altar is the place of covenant — where you come and let God know you mean business with Him. Not planning to use God, but to walk with Him. Whatever it is He wants, let Him know. Jacob made a covenant: if You take care of me on this journey, You will be my God and I will give You a tenth of all.

3. Light and Insight

   The altar is where light and insight are received. Blessed are the eyes that see and the ears that hear. Light from scripture positions a person to navigate what others cannot navigate.

4. The Hand of God

   The altar is where the hand of God is attracted. When the hand of God is upon a life, kings grant all requests. Ambushes are broken. Enemies are neutralised. It is the hand of God versus the hand of the enemy — and the hand of God is always stronger.

5. Total Surrender of Possessions

   The God who has not touched your resources has not touched your heart. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be. The heart of every man is tied to their treasure. How do you know that God has conquered your heart? He has conquered your possessions. There is nothing God needs that He cannot have. Matthew 6:21 — Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Once the altar is in place, I will come there and bless you. Once the altar is in place, God is the one to look for you. When the altar is in place, the blessing struggles for you.