DAILY MANNA
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2021
TOPIC: WISDOM TO TACKLE DANGER
TEXT: Matthew 2:13-23
KEY VERSE:
“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” - (Matthew 2:13)
At the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries imposed a general lockdown, restricting large gatherings and closing down worship centres temporarily. Some Christians frowned at these measures taken to curb the spread of the virus. They claimed the Church of God and Christians who worshipped in them are immune to such infections. To them, faith is seen as being able to confront dangers headlong - whether COVID-19 or any other - without a prudent retreat.
Those who hold such views will not hesitate to brand Joseph’s action here as cowardly and faithless even though God had instructed him to flee into Egypt with the mother and Child to escape Herod’s plot to kill the Child. Following the visit of the wise men, Herod saw the birth of Jesus as a threat to his throne. No doubt, the devil was at work from behind the scenes here to abort the plan of the cross.
For sure, it would not have taken God anything to keep the Child Jesus in Judea and protect Him from those who wanted to kill Him. He could also have confronted Herod directly in defense of the Child; but now, in His wisdom, He chose to make Him run to Egypt for safety. Christians then, must learn to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.
Faith is not cowardice or an act of unbelief. We must learn to run away or hide from danger if that is the wise and best thing to do in the face of a threatening situation. It will be foolish to face danger headlong when we can easily avoid it, be safe and remain alive to fulfil God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Let us however be careful that when we are seeking protection and safety, we do not do it outside God’s leading and directives.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Divine protection can come in different ways; be wise!
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Matthew 12-13
HIGHER EVERYDAY
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 03, 2021
TOPIC: RECOVER THE LOST AXE HEAD
TEXT:2 KINGS 6:5-7
MEMORY VERSE: "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms" (JEREMIAH 51:20).
An axe serves many useful purposes. It can be used for domestic, agricultural and warfare purposes. God refers to believers as His battle axe and promised to make us sharp threshing instruments, indicating divine empowerment to do exploits for His kingdom.
The loss of the axe head by a 'son of the prophets' is indicative of loss of spiritual power to do God's work. Many believers have lost their axe heads through carelessness, laziness, talkativeness, indulgence, disobedience, pride, secret sin, harshness and unmerciful acts.
The 'son of the prophets' in our text was wise, he cried to the man of God, "Alas, master! for it was borrowed" (2 Kings 6:5b). His prayer and faith paid off miraculously, the axe head swam up and was picked up.
If you pray in faith, your axe head can be recovered. God says He will restore to you what the locust, cankerworm, caterpillar and palmer worm have eaten (Joel 2:25).
Dear reader, the Lord is not done with you yet. Whatever you have lost can be recovered again. But it is repentance and prayer of faith that make the difference!
QUOTE: Your lost axe head can be recovered.
CHALLENGE: It is dangerous to lose your axe head.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to recover all my lost virtues.