By Passman Akpos
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has delivered a powerful message of hope to Christians battling hardship, disappointment and delayed breakthroughs, urging them not to give up on God because of what they are going through today.
In the Saturday, October 10, 2026, edition of Open Heavens Daily Devotional, titled “Hold On To Jesus,” Adeboye reminded believers that a painful beginning does not necessarily mean a painful ending, using the remarkable journey of Joseph in the Bible to illustrate how adversity can precede a dramatic change in circumstances.
The devotional carries an emotional message for those who have prayed for promotion, struggled through difficult circumstances and wondered why their breakthrough appears to be taking so long.
Drawing from Joseph’s experience, Adeboye explained that the biblical figure endured slavery, false accusations and imprisonment before rising to become a ruler in Egypt.
Joseph’s story, according to the devotional, demonstrates that the circumstances people experience today do not necessarily determine what their future will become.
The message challenges believers who feel forgotten, rejected or overwhelmed by life’s difficulties to remain steadfast in their faith rather than abandon their convictions in search of immediate relief.
‘It Doesn’t Matter How You Start; What Matters Is How You End’
One of the strongest lessons in the devotional is that a person’s present struggles should not be mistaken for the final outcome of their life.
Adeboye noted that while some people appear to experience effortless promotion and success, others must endure prolonged trials before experiencing significant changes in their circumstances.
The devotional acknowledges that such experiences can leave people asking difficult questions, including why they must endure unpleasant situations before reaching the next level of their lives.
Joseph’s experience provides the central illustration.
After being sold into slavery, Joseph served in Potiphar’s household. Just when circumstances appeared to be improving, he found himself in prison.
Yet imprisonment did not become the end of his story.
According to Psalm 105:19–21, Joseph remained in that difficult situation until the fulfilment of God’s word, after which Pharaoh summoned him, released him and appointed him to a position of authority.
The lesson is particularly significant for people experiencing disappointment after disappointment: a setback does not automatically mean that the future is hopeless.
Why Some People Must Pass Through Difficult Seasons Before Their Breakthrough
The devotional recognises that people experience different journeys in life.
While some appear to achieve their goals with little difficulty, others face repeated obstacles that test their patience, determination and faith.
Adeboye cautioned believers against becoming discouraged simply because their progress appears slower than that of others.
Referencing Job 8:7, the message states that even when a person’s beginning is small, their latter end can greatly increase.
The lesson is not that every hardship will automatically produce wealth or promotion, but that present difficulties should not be treated as proof that a better future is impossible.
For Christians, the devotional encourages patience, perseverance and continued trust in God during uncertain seasons.
‘Do Not Seek Shortcuts Because Life Has Become Difficult’
Beyond offering encouragement, Adeboye delivered a warning against abandoning one’s principles in pursuit of success.
The devotional urges believers not to seek questionable shortcuts when faced with hardship, delays or disappointment.
Instead, Christians are encouraged to remain faithful to their convictions and follow what the message describes as God’s due process.
This lesson carries an important moral dimension: the pressure to succeed should not become an excuse to embrace dishonesty, compromise personal values or abandon one’s beliefs.
The devotional points to Colossians 1:27, which describes Christ in believers as the hope of glory, as a reminder for Christians to remain hopeful even when their circumstances appear unfavourable.
The Powerful Lesson From Joseph’s Rise In Egypt
Joseph’s journey from slavery to leadership remains the central biblical example in the devotional.
According to Psalm 105:16–22, Joseph was sold into servitude, suffered imprisonment and was eventually released and elevated by Pharaoh.
His story illustrates the contrast between the position a person occupies at a particular moment and the possibilities that may still lie ahead.
Adeboye also referenced Esau in Genesis 32:6–7, noting that despite receiving what appeared to be a lesser blessing, Esau eventually became a mighty man with 400 men accompanying him.
The devotional uses these accounts to reinforce its message that a difficult beginning does not necessarily determine a person’s ultimate circumstances.
Adeboye’s Prayer For Christians Facing Difficult Times
The devotional includes a prayer asking God to help believers resist shortcuts and follow His process as they pursue greater blessings.
Adeboye also prayed that Christians facing trials would remain faithful and be prepared for their next level of blessings.
The prayer point for Saturday reads:
“Father, please help me not to take shortcuts but to follow Your due process as You take me to my next level of blessings, in Jesus’ name.”
Today’s Memory Verse
The memory verse is Haggai 2:9:
“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The verse reinforces the devotional’s emphasis on greater glory, hope and the possibility of a better tomorrow.
Bible Reading And Hymn
The Bible reading for Saturday, October 10, 2026, is Psalm 105:16–22.
The Bible-in-one-year reading is Matthew 23–24.
The prescribed hymn is “Standing On The Promises Of Christ Our King,” which emphasises faith, perseverance and confidence in God’s promises.
The Message To Take Away
The central lesson of Adeboye’s October 10 devotional is that hardship should not automatically lead to hopelessness, and delayed progress should not push people into compromising their values.
Joseph’s experience reminds readers that life can take unexpected turns and that a difficult chapter does not tell the whole story.
For Christians battling uncertainty, disappointment or prolonged struggles, the message is to remain faithful, resist the temptation to take questionable shortcuts and continue working towards a better future.
The powerful takeaway is simple: Do not allow the pain of your present circumstances to convince you that your future holds no hope.
