Mahlon And Chillion - Sickly And Dying

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 13, 2017

Topic: Mahlon And Chillion

Text: Ruth 1:2                  

Yesterday we read about the main theme behind the book Ruth which is famine. We also saw that Elimelech was not the first in the Scriptures to flee from the land afflicted by famine. Today, we have in our text the nativity of Elimelech and the names of members of his family. They are from Ephrathites-Bethlehem otherwise called Ephratha.

The name Elimelech means “My God is King,” while Naomi signifies
“My amiable, delight or pleasant one.” But the names of their children are worthy of note because it teaches us some lessons concerning the name we bear. Names are very significant in what we become or the way we behave in future.

Mahlon and Chillion signify “Sickness and consumption.” This shows that probably they were sickly children (sickle cell anaemia), and not likely to live long. They were seen as weak and infirm, fading and dying, and their parents gave them such names.

Most parents give names to their children as a reminder of what they have passed through before they were born. We can recall that of Jabez, Ichabod, etc. All these are not good names because they have ways of affecting the children in future. Some names can affect the way we live and behave just like Nabal (1 Sam 25:25) who acts foolishly because his name means foolishness.

Unfortunately, just as their names were, Mahlon and Chillion died in Moab without accomplishing anything simply because they were called sickly and dying, and it was eventually so. We should be mindful of the names we bear as it can make us or mar us. We shouldn’t bear names that will destroy our bright future. On the other hand, parents should give names that show faith, praise and joy of the Lord to their children. This will bring blessings upon our children more than the likes of Mahlon and Chillion.

Food for Thought: Your name affects what you eventually become in life either good or bad.

Memory verse: Ruth 1 verse 2 - And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chillion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Prayer: God, I dedicate my name to you that I will live it out to your praise and glory in Jesus name. Amen.

BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON: Devotion for Sunday December 27, 2015

BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON    Sunday December 27, 2015

Text: Matthew 2:16 – 18           Memory verse: v 16b

When devil is out to destroy a soul, he can terminate many others to get that one person. Unfortunately, when God’s hand is at work, they may be a mayhem or genocide which will still not get to the person devil wants. This is the case in our bible reading for today. Herod was furious when he learned that the wise men had outwitted him. All Herod knew was that a future king, still a child, lived in Bethlehem. After consulting with the wise men (2:7), he deduced that the child would not be more than two years old. So he sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and below. This is just to get at one person.

Any effort of men to prevent the fulfilment of the word of God never materializes. Herod stained his hands with blood, but he did not harm Jesus. Herod was king by a human appointment; Jesus is a King by a divine appointment. No one can thwart God’s plans. This story should encourage us in our time of trials because our destiny is in God’s hand. No amount of threat and intimidation can stop God’s plan against your life (Lamentation 3:3). Your destiny cannot be thwarted. You will live fully.

Food for Thought: Jesus is a King by a divine appointment

Prayer: Lord, grant that no man can destroy my destiny in Jesus name.

THEY PRAISED GOD

THEY PRAISED GOD           Monday May 18, 2015

Text: Luke 2:15 – 20              Memory verse: v 20

When Jesus was born, some shepherds were among the first people that got the good news of His birth. One would have expected the news to have gone to the Chief Priest or the Pharisees but God chose simple men who will value His birth (Luke 2:8 – 15). They did not make argument with the angel. The message prompted them to leave their sheep and went down to Bethlehem. They came and saw (2:16) just as the angel had told them (2:17). They were indeed privileged to have seen all these. They saw the act as the grace of God. As they were returning to care for their flocks, they glorified God for what He had shown them, and for the blessedness which they felt.

There is always joy when a child is born into any home. However, the birth of Jesus was a special case and the joy and emotion expressed by these simple hearts were not just because a child was born, rather because they have seen the Messiah that has been spoken of, and also the privilege of being among the first set to do so. Do you praise God when he gives you a rare privilege? How do you react when you are privileged to hear the truth – frown at the messenger or you take it seriously? The honour these shepherd had, came out of their obedience. Obedience is the best proof of our love for God.

Food for Thought: We can only be privileged to God’s goodness when we obey his instructions and commandments.

Prayer: Grant me the heart of obedience to your word O Lord which is the major source of blessings.