Your Labours of Love is never in Vain: Devotion for Friday January 24, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday January 24, 2020

Topic: Your Labours of Love is never in Vain      

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7 

Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals in order to prevent any descendants from seeking the throne. But David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul.

David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (1 Samuel 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Samuel 20:14 – 17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him. Don’t forget the mercies you received from God and people.

People who are really godly will always remember the mercies they received from people and from God. David made inquiry because he knew he owe a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. Jonathan was David's sworn friend; therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another.

If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service. And to those who have shown us love, we can pray for them always. When we do these, God will bless them and us, the more.

Food for Thought: “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together” – Goethe.

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for love I have received from you and from people.

Our Kindness Rebounds To Us

Devotion for Saturday February 24, 2018

Topic: Our Kindness Rebounds To Us

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7

Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals to the throne in order to prevent any descendants from seeking that throne.  But the case of David was different as he showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (see 1 Samuel 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Samuel 20:14 – 17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him by willingly supporting his ascension to the throne of his father Saul. Do you forget the mercies God and people show you? In the midst of numerous affairs, cares and worries of life, we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and some engagements we have to undertake, not only to our friends, but to God Himself. Yet people who are really godly will have no rest until they have discharged their vows and attend to their engagements. David made inquiry because he knew he owed a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. The kindness he showed David came back to his son. God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service and that of humanity. We should always pray for those who have shown us love. When we do this, God will bless them and us, the more. Sing SS&S 798; Abu 239

Food for Thought: Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together – Goethe.

Memory verse: 2 Samuel 9:1

Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for the love I have received from you and from people.

HE MOURNED AND WEPT: Devotion for Saturday July 2, 2016

HE MOURNED AND WEPT: Devotion for Saturday July 2, 2016 

  

Text: 2 Samuel 1:11 – 12              

Memory verse: v 12 -And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

In the token of anguish, David tore his clothes. This is a common practice in Israel (Gen. 37:29, 34; 43:13; Josh. 7:6; 2 Kings 19:1; Matt. 26:65; Acts 22:23). David was sincere in his mourning for Saul, Jonathan and the fallen heroes of Israel; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God too. David wept, mourned and fasted because of Saul, Jonathan and other Israelis that lost their lives. For a man of his calibre to weep openly does not mean he is weak. Such expression at times is needed for some reasons. It eases stress and burden of the heart, and it is used to pass message of love and empathy. Jesus did it at the tomb of Lazarus in John 11:35

David act was a clear testimony of his righteousness. “A good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest enemy, though it would open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour” according to Family Bible Notes. This was the case of David. The emotional expression showed by David clearly underscores his previous acts of saving Saul when he had the opportunity to have killed him as one who fears God. It takes the fear of God to live righteously in our present day society filled with bitterness, envy, anger and greed.

Are you heavily burdened? Are you mourning the death of loved ones? You should not restrict yourself from expressing your emotion even in the public. Jesus did it. One way to ease our burdened heart especially that of bereavement is by weeping. It is not a mark of weakness. It helps us to ease off and be revived. The act of David here should be a challenge for us. We should not gloat over the downfall of our enemies just as we read yesterday, rather we should show love for them and even when death or evil befalls them, we shouldn’t gloat over them.  

Food for Thought: A good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest enemy, though it would open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour.

Prayer: God, give me heart of love for those who despise and hate me.

GOD USES HUMANS AS AGENTS: Devotion for Friday May 13, 2016

GOD USES HUMANS AS AGENTS: Devotion for Friday May 13, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 19:11 – 17     Memory verse: v 13

There is no limit to what our God can do and who or what He can use to fulfill His will and purposes. When Balaam didn’t hear His word, He used his donkey to speak to him (Num. 22:27–34). The story of David and Goliath is well known to us. God used a small stone to humiliate him for blasphemy and reproach on Him. After David had killed Goliath, the Philistine giant and champion, Saul became his avowed enemy. He tried every opportunity that comes his way to kill David. Here is another design of mischief by Saul to kill David. When David had escaped the javelin (19:10), Saul sent some of his guards after him to lay wait at the door of his house, and to assassinate him in the morning as soon as he stirred out (19:11). What was his wrong? He did not ask God to make him king. It was God’s decision which no man can overturn.

“God moves in a mysterious ways, His wonders to perform” so says a song writer, William Cowper. Instead of Jonathan and Michal taking side with their father Saul to attack David who was a clear favourite to succeed their father, they pitched their tent with David. This was an act of God. Because David’s way pleased God, He turned the heart of Saul’s children to love him. It is my desire and prayer that God will use those who speak evil about you and those who hate you to save, help, deliver, promote and bless you in Jesus name. As God used Michal to save David, so He will use someone to help and save you today.

Food for Thought: “God moves in a mysterious in His ways, His wonders to perform” – William Cowper. Sing that hymn from Ancient and Modern 181.

Prayer: Lord, as you used Michal to save David, so I pray that you will send someone to help me in my present need in Jesus name.     

GOOD DEED AND RECOMPENSE Friday February 19, 2016

GOOD DEED AND RECOMPENSE    Friday February 19, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 8                 Memory verse: v 1

Most times, we forget the gratitude we owe people due to some engagements. At times it is not because we don’t want to or it was oversight or we don’t have the means to do it but we are choked by some other things that we easily forget the good people do for us. True Christians will not have peace of mind until they return kindness that they received from others. My father bought exercise books for someone when he was a teacher. After over 50 years, the man came, renovated part of his house and installed a cable Television for him. Indeed, good deeds will never die. They will always receive recompense.

Here, David remembered the good things he received from Jonathan the son of Saul. This was a man who ought to become king after his father, Saul. When he knew that God’s hand was upon David, instead of joining the father to fight him, supported him to ascend the throne of Israel (1 Sam 18:3 and 20:14–17, 42. compare Prov. 27:10). This passage enjoins us not to forsake friends. Most people easily forsake friends when they ascend higher position like election into a political office, appointments, etc. This is not what a Christian should do. We owe our friends and their family members a great debt of love and kindness. We should not turn our backs on them especially when we have at one time or another received kindness from them too. Matthew Henry sums up our text by saying that “If Providence has raised us and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them.” This should challenge us to act.

Food for Thought: God is faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another.

Prayer: May I never be ungrateful O Lord, for the good deeds I have received from you and people in Jesus name.

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS YOU: Devotion for Tuesday January 26, 2016

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS YOU      Tuesday January 26, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 9:9 – 13      Memory verse: v 9

When God remembers us, He restores all we have lost and add more blessings for us. This was the case of Mephibosheth here. God used David to remember him. As a cripple, he was not counted as anything. The worst was the fact that his father was no more, he was a cripple and his brother was not on the throne. Things may have been so hard for him. But God was somewhere watching and He decided to honour him. 

Are you crippled in any form either physically, financially or spiritually and you have nobody to help you? God will remember you as He did for Mephibosheth in Jesus name. David restored to him all that belong to his father (9:9) and also commanded Ziba to serve him so that there will be provisions for his family. Ordinarily, properties acquired by Kings are transferred to their successors and not to their sons. This was the reason these properties were in David’s hands (2 Sam 12:8). But he restored them to Mephibosheth.  

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth reminds us of the kindness and love of God our Saviour to fallen man, to whom He was under no obligation, as David was to Jonathan. Yet God came down looking for us as David went looking for Mephibosheth. This is love. We should emulate this kind of act as Christians. Till date Jesus Christ seeks this lost and ruined race, who sought not after Him that He might save them. Are you willing to let Him in (Rev 3:20)?     

Food for Thought: A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

Prayer: Lord, do remember me and restore all that I have lost through the fall of man.

ACT OF LOVE IS NEVER IN VAIN: Devotion for Sunday January 24, 2016

WORK OF LOVE IS NEVER IN VAIN     Sunday January 24, 2016

Text: 2 Samuel 9:1 – 7      Memory verse: v 3

Naturally, most kings will try to wipe out the families of their rivals in order to prevent any descendants from seeking the throne. But David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul. David was kind, partly because of his loyalty to God’s previously anointed king (1 Sam 24:5-6) and mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all of Jonathan’s descendants (1 Sam 20:14–17). David did not forget the love and sacrifice Jonathan showed him. Do you forget the mercies God and people show you?

In the midst of numerous affairs, cares and worries of life, we are apt to forget the gratitude we owe, and some engagements we have to undertake, not only to our friends, but to God Himself. Yet people who are really godly will have no rest until they have discharged their vows and attend to their engagements. David made inquiry because he knew he owed a great deal of responsibility to the family of Jonathan in particular. Jonathan was David's sworn friend; therefore he shows kindness to his son Mephibosheth. 

God is ever faithful to us; let us not be unfaithful to one another. If Providence has raised us, and our friends and their families are brought low, we must look upon that as giving us the fairer opportunity of being kind to them. We can show kindness for love we have received from God by being more dedicated and committed to His service. And to those who have shown us love, we can pray for them always. When we do these, God will bless them and us, the more.

Food for Thought: “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together” – Goethe.

Prayer: God, may I ever be grateful for love I have received from you and from people.

YOUR LOVE FOR ME IS AMAZING

YOUR LOVE FOR ME IS AMAZING          Friday May 22, 2015

Text: 2 Samuel 1:17 – 27                               Memory verse: v 26

Yesterday we saw that our prejudices and our preconceived opinions are one cause of our seeing so many mysteries in the Bible. 2 Samuel 1:26 is one of the passages in the bible gay people hold on to. They claimed that David and Jonathan had carnal knowledge of one another. By saying that Jonathan’s love was “deeper than the love of women,” David was not implying that he had a sexual relationship with Jonathan. Homosexual acts were absolutely forbidden in Israel. It was detestable (Leviticus 18:22) with death penalty (Leviticus 20:13) for those who practice it. 

David was simply restating the deep brotherhood and faithful friendship he had with Jonathan. ‘Brother’ and ‘love’ are known to be reflective of the treaty or covenant relationship between two individuals. David and Jonathan’s covenant was established in 1 Samuel 18:3. Jonathan did not break that covenant. This should challenge people who are into partnership in any business. Do you break bonds and betray your partners?  

The love between David and Jonathan can be likened to the love Christ has for His Church. Jesus gave up His throne to die for humanity. Jonathan gave up his throne for David. That love is amazing. Likewise the love God has for us which undermines our weaknesses. How are you responding to such amazing love? We should show it by serving Him.

Food for Thought: True and sincere love are products of commitment to covenant between two parties.

Prayer: God your love for me is so amazing. Help me to reciprocate that love by being more committed to your course in Jesus name.