The Highway of Hope vs. the Devil’s Death Row By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)
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Introduction: The Divine Privilege of Life and the Danger of Spiritual Neglect
One of the most sacred gifts God has given to humanity is the gift of life—both physical and spiritual. Yet, in a world marred by rebellion and demonic seduction, many squander this divine privilege, living in spiritual apathy or self-destruction. The voice of God is calling in this hour with urgency and clarity: “Rejoice for the gift of life you have been given!” This is not merely an encouragement, but a spiritual warning and invitation. It is a divine summons to reflect on how we live and whom we serve.
In a prophetic outcry, the Lord declares that while many live in physical existence, they are spiritually dead—locked in the enemy's "death row." Instead of choosing joy, truth, and divine intimacy, they choose decay, self-pity, and worldly trust. The problem is not the absence of God’s grace, but the human tendency to reject it for fleeting pleasures and hollow promises of the world.
This message reminds the believer that joy is not circumstantial; it is rooted in divine relationship. It calls for a renewed focus on the eternal, a rejection of worldly seductions, and an awakening to the reality that God’s Spirit is present and guiding those who truly belong to Him. In the pages that follow, we shall explore the contrast between the devil’s death row and the highway of hope, and why rejoicing in the gift of life is an act of spiritual warfare and sacred obedience.
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The Gift of Life: Flesh and Spirit United in God’s Purpose
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” – 1 Peter 1:23 (KJV)
Every human being born into the world is given the breath of life, but not every person chooses to live in the life of the Spirit. God desires that His people cherish both their physical existence and the spiritual rebirth granted through Jesus Christ. Yet how many waste their days in fruitless living, never entering the joy of divine purpose?
To be alive in Christ is to be born of incorruptible seed. This seed is the Word of God that lives and endures forever. It is what empowers believers to overcome the enemy, walk in holiness, and rejoice despite hardship. However, those who ignore this gift drift toward spiritual death. They may appear alive outwardly but are bound inwardly by sin, fear, and hopelessness.
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The Devil’s Death Row: A Life Without God’s Presence
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 (KJV)
Many live their lives on what the Spirit terms the devil’s death row—a path of hopelessness, destruction, and despair. This metaphorical place is reserved for those who, by their own choices, reject the life and hope of God and instead embrace worldly philosophies, sinful lifestyles, and fleshly indulgences.
It is not God's will that anyone live in such darkness. But by repeatedly ignoring divine warnings and indulging in sin, people descend into a prison of spiritual torment. Their lives become marked by anxiety, self-destruction, and a dread of what lies ahead. These souls are not merely misguided—they are bound and need deliverance.
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The Power of Daily Focus and Spiritual Discipline
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” – Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)
God commands His people to be intentional each day about where their eyes, faith, and trust are placed. It is not enough to believe once and then grow complacent. Spiritual life requires consistent communion with God, alertness to deception, and focus on divine truth.
Many who fall into the devil’s trap do so because they lose focus. Instead of fixing their gaze on the Lord, they turn to the world for comfort, validation, or security. In doing so, they open the door to fear, confusion, and compromise. God’s Spirit, however, is ever-present with those who call upon Him. He does not abandon His children but continuously seeks to guide them into peace.
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Rejecting the Refuge of the World
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help... but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” – Isaiah 31:1 (KJV)
One of the repeated failures of God’s people throughout history has been trusting worldly systems instead of divine wisdom. Today, believers often seek relief through governments, social ideologies, or flesh-driven solutions. But these paths lead to destruction because they are crafted by people who are blind, arrogant, and in rebellion against God.
God makes it clear that He alone is the refuge, hope, and strength of His people. The nations that forsake Him are being judged. Their leaders are not pursuing peace, but personal gain. Those who trust in them will share in their destruction. It is not only foolish but fatal to seek salvation from the same world that crucified Christ.
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The Highway of Hope: Living in Christ, Not in Despair
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness… the redeemed shall walk there.” – Isaiah 35:8-9 (KJV)
God has prepared a better path—a highway of hope for His people. This way is not hidden, but revealed in Scripture and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. It is a way of holiness, truth, and joy. Those who abide in this path do not need to fear judgment, depression, or ruin, because they walk in the presence of God.
Rejoicing in this gift of life is an act of war against despair. It declares trust in God's plan and power over one's circumstances. Those who walk on this highway do so because they choose life over death, obedience over rebellion, and hope over fear.
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Resisting Demonic Insinuations Like Christ
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil… Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan.” – Matthew 4:1,10 (KJV)
Jesus modeled how to resist the enemy. Though tempted in the wilderness, He used the Word of God to rebuke Satan. Every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, has the same power to resist demonic invitations. The devil's tactics are to confuse, isolate, and weaken, but God gives strength to those who stand firm.
In times of pressure, believers must remember their identity in Christ and speak the truth in response to lies. The path of victory lies not in yielding to emotional exhaustion or self-pity but in spiritual resistance and alignment with God’s will.
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The Folly of the Spiritually Lazy
“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” – Ephesians 5:14 (KJV)
Spiritual laziness is a gateway to bondage. Those who grow lazy and hazy in their relationship with God become easy prey for the destroyer. Whether in the Church or in positions of power, many have allowed themselves to drift from God into spiritual confusion. Worse still, they influence others toward death through laws, ideologies, and lifestyles that promote sin.
Hell is not dormant—it expands daily. Souls are added to the devil’s death row because of neglect, rebellion, or ignorance. Therefore, God commands vigilance. The alert soul is the protected soul. The diligent believer is the fruitful believer.
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Living in the Pattern of Christ, Not in Regret
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)
God did not call His people to live as clones of death. He called them to reflect His Son—Jesus, the Redeemer. The Christian life is a journey of obedience, joy, holiness, and active resistance to sin. Regret, sorrow, and mourning may come, but they are not meant to be permanent states.
By keeping one’s eyes on the Lord and refusing to surrender to the world’s sorrow, believers remain alive—both in joy and in power. The victory is not theoretical; it is real, practical, and obtainable through faith.
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Summary
Life is a sacred gift, and those who are born of the Spirit must treat it as such. Many have lost their way by rejecting the divine path and walking the devil’s death row. But God is calling His people to rejoice in the life He gives, to reject worldly help, to walk in holiness, and to follow the example of Christ in resisting the enemy. This is the time for vigilance, joy, and holiness—not despair and compromise.
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Conclusion
You were created for life, not death. God has made a way of hope for you through His Son. Do not squander this divine privilege by turning to worldly solutions or giving in to spiritual apathy. Rejoice daily, walk uprightly, and stay alert. You are not meant to be devoured, but to walk in the path of life, led by the Spirit and shielded by God’s truth.
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Call to Action
Renew your commitment to rejoice in the life God has given.
Refuse the voice of self-pity, fear, or spiritual laziness.
Guard your heart and mind against worldly influence.
Spend time daily in Scripture and prayer.
Encourage others to choose life and walk in the light of Christ.
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Final Word of Encouragement
This is the day the Lord has made for you. Rejoice in it. Refuse to be taken down by despair. The God who gave you life continues to lead, protect, and preserve you. You are not alone. As long as you stay focused on Him, you are on the highway of hope—and you shall not be moved.
“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” – Psalm 121:8 (KJV)
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Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the gift of life You have given me.
I recognize that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life.
Today, I reject the lies of the enemy and accept Your truth.
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, be my Savior and my Redeemer.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in the way of life everlasting.
I choose You today and forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
