They Drove Away Justice: Devotion for Saturday October 3, 2020

 

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday October 2, 2020

Topic: They Drove Away Justice

Text: Isaiah 59:9 – 15                                

According to Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, “If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace.” No wonder the bible says that “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). A situation where the sins of those who profess themselves as God's people, are worse than the sins of others is very unfortunate.

Here in our bible reading for the day, the Prophet Isaiah decries the sad state of the nation where justice and righteousness are absent in the courts of law (Zechariah 8:16), and in social matters in general. All over the scriptures, God is always against injustice. He upholds justices and righteousness and He expects nothing less from us. But sad to say that He got the least from His people and was displeased about it.

What can we say of our present day religious and political leaders in this generation especially in our nation, Nigeria? Are they upholding justice? What of our judges? Have they not turned back justice by declaring the guilty, innocent and the innocent, guilty? Compare Amos 5:12 and 6:12.

Beloved, God is never happy when we pervert justice. It is a wicked and sinful person that does so (Proverbs 7:23). When we witness in any case, we should also not testify to pervert justice (Exodus 23:2). That should be the mark of true Christianity we confess.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 16:19

Memory verse: Isaiah 59 v 14

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord to always stand for justice no matter the circumstances in Jesus name.

Unrighteous Decrees: Devotion for Tuesday June 30, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Tuesday June 30, 2020

Topic: Unrighteous Decrees

Text: Isaiah 10:1 – 4                              

Our text today is a continuation of Isaiah Chapter 9. If you actually want to understand this text well, then start reading from Chapter 9. Isaiah indicts wicked oppressors. They are charged, with making wicked laws and edicts: They decree unrighteous decrees, contrary to natural equity and the law of God: and whatever mischief they prescribe those under them write it, enroll it, and put it into the formality of a law. It is bad to hurt someone, but it is worse to do it with design and deliberation.

Again, they were charged with perverting justice in the execution of the laws that were made. No people had statutes and judgments for the righteous as they had, and yet corrupt judges found ways to turn aside the needy from judgment, to hinder them from coming for their right and recovering what was their due, because they were needy and poor, and such as they could get nothing by nor expect any bribes from.

The third charge against these oppressors is that they were enriching themselves by oppressing those that lay at their mercy, whom they ought to have protected.

Can we find any of these accusations similar in our present day society? You that is in leadership position, do you make Draconian laws targeted at the poor, needy, widows, etc.? Draco is an Athenian legislator who made harsh laws. If you make harsh laws, you are like the lawyers berated by Jesus Christ in Luke 11:46 (compare Matthew 23:1 – 4). Repent today because the Day of Judgment is coming when you cannot escape the anger of God.

Food for Thought: Leaders should protect the rights of the less privileged ones and the poor, and not to abuse them.

Memory Verse: Isaiah 10:1                                                                                           

Prayer: Lord God, grant me the grace that in any leadership position I find myself, I will not make laws that will infringe on the rights of the poor and less privileged.

Avoid Unnecessary Embarrassment: Devotion for Sunday June 12, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday June 12, 2020

Topic: Avoid Unnecessary Embarrassment      

Text: Judges 6:1 – 5                                              

Except for God’s grace, men are naturally incline to sin. It is said that “To be forewarned is to be forearmed.” God doesn’t punish a people without first warning them except the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

One of the warnings handed over to the people of Israel by God through Moses was the warning of idol worship. It was a lengthy passage in the bible (Leviticus 26:14 – 46; Deuteronomy 28:15 – 68). Unfortunately, they couldn’t resist the temptation. For the evil they committed, see Judges 2:13 and 19. Sin tends to misery, and all the calamities which men suffer are tokens of God's displeasure against it.

What these neighbours of Israel did was to ensure there was no food in Israel. Their mission was not to take their produce away but to destroy them. It became embarrassment for the Israelites.   

The purpose of God's punishments is to call His people to repentance, that they may seek help from Him. Such embarrassment on a nation was the consequences of sin and disobedience to God. This is how devil embarrasses most pretenders to be Christian. For example what took a Pastor to the bedroom of a parishioner when only the wife of the man is at home? What is a condom doing in the bible of a brother preaching inside the bus? How come a sister who told the world she was a virgin give birth just 4 months after wedding?

As Christians, our standards should be high. There is no compromise about it. You may be hiding and compromising with sin but a day will come when God will embarrass you. Beware!

Food for Thought: Those who compromise their faith will always eat shame because their acts are never hidden for long

Memory verse: Judges 6:4             

Prayer: God, remove anything that will make the enemies to embarrass me.

A CALL TO LIBERATE

Devotion for Tuesday December 27, 2016

Topic: A CALL TO LIBERATE                                     

Text: Judges 6:11 – 24                          

God called Gideon to liberate Israel from the hands of Medianites with a promise in Judges 6:16, “I will be with you.” Regardless of all those promises, Gideon still had excuses to give, why he shouldn’t carry out the assignment from God. This is how many of us give excuses on why we cannot go for evangelism or preach to that woman or man; why we cannot take up one responsibility or another in the church of God. God has given us the mandate to liberate sinners from the kingdom of darkness (Matthew 28:19, 20) but many of us have not taken this command seriously. Do you give excuse when your Pastor calls for evangelism? Have a change of heart and attitude.

When Gideon finally went, what followed? Find out in chapter Judges 7:9ff. Our call as Christians is to liberate sinners (Acts 1:8). God has done all things necessary for salvation of man. All that is expected of us is to go and preach. The rest is for God to perform; the conversion and salvation of the person. We are called by God to be witnesses and through that liberate those under the captivity of sin and Satan. Do you have the excuse that your neighbour will never repent that is why you will not preach to him? Do you warn people with love in your heart or you do so that God might not ask of their blood in your hands? Always pray for sinners (Luke 10:2) and you will have the zeal to preach to them.

Food for Thought: Ezekiel 33: 7 – 9

Memory verse: Judges 6 verse 14

Prayer: God, create in my heart a passion and concern for sinners.

JUSTICE IS TURNED BACK: Devotion for Thursday August 25, 2016

JUSTICE IS TURNED BACK: Devotion for Thursday August 25, 2016

Text: Isaiah 59:9 – 15             Memory verse: Isaiah 59:14

According to Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, “If we shut our eyes against the light of Divine truth, it is just with God to hide from our eyes the things that belong to our peace.” No wonder the bible says that “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21). A situation where the sins of those who profess themselves God's people, are worse than the sins of others who are termed unbelievers is very unfortunate.

Here, the prophet Isaiah decries the sad state where justice and righteousness are absent in the courts of law (Zechariah 8:16), and in social matters in general. All over the scriptures, God is always against injustice. He upholds justices and righteousness and He expects nothing less from us. But sad to say that He got the least from His people and was displeased about it. If you were in God’s shoes will you be pleased seeing injustice pervade all affairs of life?  

What can we say of our present day religious and political leaders? Are they upholding justice? What of our judges and magistrates? Have they not turned back justice by declaring the guilty, innocent and the innocent, guilty? Compare Amos 5:12; 6:12. Is this the same in your country?

Beloved, God is never happy when we pervert justice. It is a wicked and sinful person that does so (Proverbs 7:23). When we witness in any case, we should also not testify to pervert justice (Exodus 23:2). Let the fear of God be in our hearts in every witness we bear or case we judge. If this be our guiding principle, it will make our society and the world at large a peaceful place to live in.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 16:19

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to always stand for justice no matter the circumstances in Jesus name.