TUESDAY, JUNR 16, 2020
TOPIC: PARTIALLY CONDEMNED
TEXT: Deuteronomy 16:13-22
KEY VERSE:
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” - (Deuteronomy 16:19)
During the fall of 1775, a man who appeared to be a typical American farmer attempted to book a room in Baltimore’s fashionable hotel. Concerned about the hotel’s reputation, the manager refused to rent the room. The man left and took a room in another hotel. Later, the manager learnt he had refused a room to Thomas Jefferson, the then Vice President of the United States. Immediately, he sent a note asking Jefferson to return to his hotel as a guest. Jefferson replied: “I value your good intentions highly, but if you have no place for an American farmer, you have no right giving hospitality to an American Vice President”!
Under God’s theocracy in Israel, justice, equality, love and impartiality in judgment were to be the hallmark. During times of feasting and rejoicing, the widows and fatherless, servants and strangers in the land were invited to be part of it. And in the administration of justice, impartiality is commanded. The judges were forbidden from taking bribes to subvert or pervert judgment.
Israel was a nation under divine control. They were different and separate from the surrounding nations. When God is in control and the people are in full compliance with His word, there will be no need to police the streets, no prisons and detention centres because the laws of God are written in our hearts and we observe the golden rule in our dealings with each other.
When Jesus came to live among men, people did not recognise Him because He was very humble. He was kind to all and sundry. He received strangers and sinners in love and compassion. Little wonder many turned away from sin and followed Him. The world needs Christ today to heal the society of oppression and partiality.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 4-6
HIGHER EVERYDAY
TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2020
DUTY-BOUND TO HONOUR DAD
TEXT: EPHESIANS 6:1-5
MEMORY VERSE: "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (EPHESIANS 6:2, 3).
Somebody said, "Don't anger your parents in order to please other people. Those other people did not spend their lives building yours." In response to the request of His disciples, "teach us how to pray" (Luke 11:1), Jesus taught them a classic prayer outline, which eventually became popularly known as 'our Lord's prayer'. The very first line, "...Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name..." (Luke 11:2), conveys a sense of reverence for God as our heavenly Father. Similarly, our earthly fathers deserve to be held in high honour, "for this is well pleasing unto the Lord", who clearly commands all to "Honour thy father" (Colossians 3:20; Exodus 20:12).
As a young boy, Joseph honoured his father, Jacob, by going on errands for him in Canaan, and later cared for him in Egypt in his old age, feeding and providing for his needs. How do you care for your father, both natural and spiritual? If, therefore, you desire "that thy days may be long" (Exodus 20:12), simply obey God by honouring your father.
QUOTE: Obey God by honouring your father.
CHALLENGE: Honour thy father and be blessed with long life.
PRAYER: Oh God, please help me to honour my father well.