OPEN HEAVENS FOR 4TH MAY 2026

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TOPIC: SECRETS TO LONGEVITY I

MEMORISE:

“A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” — Ecclesiastes 3:7

READ: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

MESSAGE:

I am 84 years old, I have been born again for 53 years, and by God’s grace, I have been the General Overseer of RCCG for 45 years. To the glory of God, I am still working tirelessly for my Daddy even at my age. I have remained a strong Christian, and the church has continued to grow by God’s grace.

Over the next few days, I will share some secrets about longevity with you and tell you how to remain on God’s path for your life without going astray.

The first secret to longevity is knowing when to hide, when to fight, and when to run. Many Christians think that because they are in Christ, they never have to hide; after all, the One with all power is backing them up. This is why many believers have not stayed on the path that God has set before them and have ended their race prematurely. In 1 Kings 17:1, after Elijah told the king that there would be no rain until he commands it, it was God Himself who told him to go and hide.

There will always be a time to hide if you are going to last long. Elijah had proclaimed himself as the only one who could bring the rain back, so naturally, I believe that there would have been a lot of pressure on him to command the rain to return. Therefore, rather than facing that pressure, he had to go into hiding.

Whenever you notice that there will be pressure on you to say certain things or take some actions prematurely or without specific instruction from God, you should go into hiding. For instance, no matter how pressured I feel to speak before elections in Nigeria or when something significant happens, I always keep silent if God has not yet spoken. This is why people still want to hear what I have to say after all these years, because they know that it will be from God.

Another time to hide is when brethren try to fight you. God never supports Christians fighting each other; rather, we are to love one another, which is what differentiates us from unbelievers (John 13:34-35). Therefore, to ensure that you do not get into fights with brethren who are trying to pick fights with you, don’t respond to them; rather, go into hiding. May God give you the wisdom to hide yourself when required so that you can stay the course and fulfil His perfect will for your life.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me the wisdom to know when to hide.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 17-19

HYMN 19: ROCK OF AGES, CLET FOR ME

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
   Let me hide myself in Thee;
   Let the water and the blood,
   From Thy wounded side which flowed,
   Be of sin the double cure;
   Save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labour of my hands
   Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;
   Could my zeal no respite know,
   Could my tears for ever flow,
   All for sin could not atone;
   Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
   Simply to the cross I cling;
   Naked, come to Thee for dress;
   Helpless look to Thee for grace;
   Foul, I to the fountain fly;
   Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
   When mine eyes shall close in death,
   When I soar to worlds unknown,
   See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
   Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
   Let me hide myself in Thee.

FRESH DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY

Based on Open Heavens 4th May 2026 – “Secrets to Longevity I”

Introduction: The Wisdom of Seasons

In today’s devotional, Pastor E. A. Adeboye begins a powerful series on longevity – not just living long, but finishing well on God’s path for your life. At 84 years old, with over five decades of dedicated Christian service, he speaks from experience. The first secret he unveils is surprising to many believers: knowing when to hide, when to fight, and when to run.

The Mistake Many Christians Make

Many believers operate under a dangerous misconception. They think, “I have God Almighty on my side, so I never need to hide. I must face every battle head-on.” While this sounds spiritual, it is not always wise. This mindset has caused many to end their race prematurely. They burn out, get wounded unnecessarily, or speak words that damage their destiny.

The truth is, discernment is greater than bravery. Knowing when to step back is not cowardice; it is survival.

The Example of Elijah

After Elijah delivered a bold prophetic word to King Ahab – declaring a drought that would only end at his command – God did not tell him to stand tall and fight. Instead, God said, “Go and hide.”

Why? Because after such a dramatic pronouncement, there would have been enormous pressure on Elijah to perform. People would have demanded he end the drought. His own reputation would have tempted him to act prematurely. So God removed him from the pressure cooker.

Lesson: Even the most powerful prophets need seasons of hiding. If God told Elijah to hide, who are you to think you never need to?

When Should You Hide?

From today’s devotional, we learn two specific times to go into hiding:

1. When There Is Pressure to Speak Without God’s Direction

Pastor Adeboye shares a personal example. No matter how much pressure he faces to comment on Nigerian elections or national events, he keeps silent until God speaks. This discipline is why people still respect his voice after 45 years as General Overseer. They know his words come from God, not from emotion or pressure.

If you speak every time you feel pressured, you will eventually say something foolish or premature. Learn to hide your words until God gives the green light.

2. When Brethren Try to Fight You

God never supports Christians fighting each other. Jesus said the mark of His disciples is love for one another (John 13:34-35). So when a fellow believer tries to pick a fight, don’t engage. Step back. Go into hiding.

A fight takes two people. If you refuse to participate, there is no fight. Your silence is not weakness; it is wisdom.

The Three Responses: Hide, Fight, Run

The devotional mentions three strategic responses:

• Hide – when under pressure to speak prematurely or when brethren attack you.

• Fight – when God specifically commands you to stand your ground for His glory.

• Run – when the enemy’s advantage is overwhelming and God permits retreat (Matthew 10:23).

The key is not choosing one response for every situation. The key is discerning which response fits the season you are in.

The Danger of Always Being in Battle Mode

Many Christians live exhausted lives because they fight every criticism, every disagreement, and every offense. They are constantly wounded, constantly defensive, and constantly alone. This is not God’s will.

Ecclesiastes 3 says there is a time for war and a time for peace. If you fight when you should hide, you will waste your strength on battles that don’t matter. You may even disqualify yourself from finishing your race.

How to Know When to Hide

Ask yourself these questions before responding to any pressure or provocation:

1. Is the pressure coming from God or from people? If people are pushing you, wait.

2. Is the person fighting me a brother or sister in Christ? If yes, step back.

3. Will this battle matter in ten years? If not, hide.

4. Has God specifically told me to speak or fight? If not, keep silent.

The Blessings of Hiding Wisely

When you learn to hide at the right time:

• You preserve your reputation. People who speak too much eventually say foolish things. The silent are respected.

• You conserve your energy. You cannot fight every battle and still finish your race.

• You allow God to fight for you. When you hide from attacking brethren, God becomes your defender.

• You stay on God’s path. Many have derailed because they responded to pressure instead of hiding.

Conclusion: Hide to Finish Well

Pastor Adeboye has lasted this long because he learned this secret. He knows when to keep silent. He knows when to withdraw. He knows that not every pressure requires a response.

If you want to finish your race – not just start it – you must learn the same lesson. There is a time to speak and a time to keep silence. There is a time to fight and a time to hide. Ask God for the wisdom to know which season you are in.

Prayer for Today:

Father, give me the wisdom to know when to hide, when to fight, and when to run. Forgive me for the times I have spoken when I should have kept silent, and fought when I should have withdrawn. Help me discern the seasons of my life. Preserve me from ending my race prematurely. Let me finish well, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Points for the Week:

1. Before you speak on any pressured issue this week, pause and ask: Has God spoken? If not, keep silent.

2. If a fellow believer tries to provoke you, deliberately choose not to respond. Step back and watch God work.

3. Read 1 Kings 17-19 to study Elijah’s example of knowing when to hide, confront, and run.

4. Write down one situation where you previously spoke too quickly. Ask God for grace to do differently next time.