DAILY MANNA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020
TOPIC: THE WORD IS THE ARMOUR
TEXT: Psalm 119:137-144
KEY VERSE:
“Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” - (Psalm 119:143)
An article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle in the United States of America years ago which spoke about the trouble and anguish animals face in the jungles of Africa. “Every morning in Africa,” the writer said, “a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the ... gazelle or it will starve to death. It does not matter whether you’re a lion or a gazelle; when the sun is up, you’d better be running.”
The inspired psalmist in our test is wiser. He knows where to flee to when harassed by the ferocious enemy, unlike the beasts of the woods scampering for safety in mortal fear of starvation and death. Instead of anxiety that robs him of joy and peace, the redeemed Psalmist plunges himself in God’s commandments which are “my delights”. He is not among so-termed believers who run from pillar to post at the onset of challenges.
The days of crises are moments to remember the precepts of the Lord. The Psalmist says although he is “small and despised”, he will not forget the laws of the Lord, which are able to make up for his spiritual shortcomings or physical deficiencies. We are not to bemoan our inadequacies when faithfully serving the Master. We operate on His Strength, not on ours or the world’s. As Apostle Paul acknowledged, Jesus is our Sufficiency.
The respected British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, wrote: “If you are not seeking the Lord, the devil is seeking you.” And his aim is destruction of the soul. The chief way to seek the Lord and prevent the devil from seeking to ruin you is to surround yourself with His laws day and night. It is the way to survive, according to the psalmist.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Keeping God’s word outwits the devil.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Revelation 18-20
HIGHER EVERYDAY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020
THE BEATITUDE-2
BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 5:1-20
MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5: 5- 6).
There are some religious sect members who misinterpret the scriptures we are considering today. The context of inheriting the earth is misunderstood and misapplied by them. They erroneously believe that believers will inherit this sinful world forever. Not exactly so. First, Christ will come in the rapture to take the saints to heaven. Second, He will come back with them for His Millennial reign. Third, there will be new heavens and a new earth. Fourth, there will be a New Jerusalem coming down from heaven and God will dwell among the meek forever (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 21:1-4).
Those who desire to inherit the eternal home must be filled with righteousness. This can happen if there is hunger and thirst for it as revealed in our text. Youths who intend to be filled with righteousness always attend Christian fellowships regularly. They are prayerful and focused. They shun sinful and corrupt association because they are watchful and ready for the imminent return of Christ. Friend, where do you stand? Are you still controlled by pride and still jettison this sermon from the mount to you?
QUOTE: God will dwell among the meek.
CHALLENGE: Eternal life is the greatest inheritance.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, give me grace for righteous living.