Price Of Godliness (Self Exile)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday April 3, 2017

Topic: Price Of Godliness (Self Exile)

Text: I Samuel 27:1 – 7

Some commentators interpret David’s action as lack of faith but I don’t belong to such group. Staying in Israel at that time with the level of threat from Saul would have amounted to tempting God or committing suicide. It was God’s leading because it wouldn’t have worked. Again, David went to the greatest enemies of Israel at that time and was welcomed. They would have killed David, a man that killed their champion Goliath but that was not to be as they befriended him and gave him a choice place to stay (see Prov. 16:7).

He fled from Israel to preserve his life. Saul as the king of Israel had authority over all the land and would have gotten David. The sin of David was his desire to live a godly life or else when he had the opportunity, he would have killed Saul and all his problems would have ended but he left everything in God’s hand. The choice of Ziklag by David was a smart one. Apparently he had won a large degree of trust from Achish one of the co-rulers of the five cities of Philistine. Being out of the king’s eye would free him from the risks of exposure as a double-dealer, or of jealousy on the part of Achish, or of becoming a burden on the king’s hospitality.

Jesus Christ told His disciples to flee from cities where they are not welcomed (Lk 10:10 – 12). What Jesus suggested here was right use of wisdom and discretion in time of crisis and uncertainties. We should be wise enough to understand when to stay and when to flee when our lives are being threatened by the enemies.

Food for Thought: If David had stayed put in the land of Israel, do you think he would have escaped from Saul’s desire to kill him?

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 27 verse 2

Prayer: When persecution arises due to godly living, grant me the grace O Lord to know when to flee and when to stay in Jesus name. Amen

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Devotion for Friday September 2, 2016

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Devotion for Friday September 2, 2016

Text: Genesis 26:1 – 11               Memory verse: Genesis 26:7

Most behavioural traits of any man are usually transferred to his child. Outside that, most children copy what their father do a lot and grow up with them. Again, most men always like their son to take after them. My dad was a teacher. After my secondary school education, he talked me into going to a Teacher Training College. Then I hadn’t any courage to challenge him. I obliged.

In Genesis 12:10–19 we have the story of how Abram went to Egypt and told lies that Sarai is his sister. In the real sense, Sarah was related to him but now she is the wife and he ought to have acknowledged that. Instead, he talked Sarah into agreeing with him that she was the sister.

God had told him to go to Canaan but due to famine, he left for Egypt. He didn’t ask God before he left. The consequence of that visit was Haggai the mother of Ishmael. Here is a similar lie by his son, Isaac in Gerar, an ancient city south of Gaza in the land of Philistine. Isaac was on his way to Egypt too when God stopped him (26:2, 3). Moses, of the tribe of Levi didn’t enter into the Promised Land because of anger (Num 20:8–11). This was the trait he inherited from his forefathers, Levi (Gen. 49:5, 6).         

Beloved in Christ, we should understand that most of our behavioural traits are transferable. Therefore, as parents, we should be wise to ask God to deliver us from any trait in us that is not godly. Do you have a bad behaviour like anger, hatred, greed, pride, etc? Please ask God to deliver you out of it. Moses lived 120 years and used it to labour for his people. Because of anger, he was not part of the climax of his labour. This was very unfortunate. Had Abram not gone to Egypt, Haggai wouldn’t have come into his house. Are you still living in sin? Then you are like your father the devil (Jn. 8:41–44). Repent now because those who live in sin are not the sons of God.        

Food for Thought: Malachi 1:6

Prayer: God, you are my Father. Deliver me from the power of sin because anyone living in sin is a son of the devil. 

FAITH: KEY FOR VICTORY: Devotion for Monday August 15, 2016

FAITH: KEY FOR VICTORY: Devotion for Monday August 15, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:40 – 47           Memory verse:  v 45

David approached the Goliath with faith in Jesus and not sword which signifies the five stones he took. JESUS and FAITH are five letters each. These are what we need in our Christian race and endeavour. They are the most priceless things that can grant us victory, breakthrough, open doors, protection, healing, etc, we need in life on this earth.

When David appeared, Goliath looked at him with disdain and these were his word: "Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.” The security and presumption of fools destroy them because of their overconfidence in what they have or what they have achieved. They forget so easily that it is neither by power nor by might but the spirit of God.

David words to Goliath epitomize humility, faith, and goodness which should be seen in the words that come out of the mouth of a true Christian. His words expressed his assured hope of success which God gives to those who trust in Him. David did not glory in his small stature and no arms. The reason for this is that the victory he will get from the fight against Goliath might be ascribed to none other than the Lord God. How foolish Goliath acted because, he thought all his victories were of his gods but God brought him to Israel to humiliate him since he failed to acknowledge God as source of his victories.

The size and stature of Goliath could have deterred anyone but not David. He was optimistic that God will see him through even as God promised in Deuteronomy 20:1–4. His words were filled with humility, faith and confidence of success because he knows His God. The strength or power of man comes from his faith in things unseen. If you believe in the unseen power, you will be strong and excel but if you doubt the unseen, you are bound to be weak and fail. It often said that strong convictions precede great actions. This was true of David. He believed God and received strength with which he overcame Goliath. We also need faith to be strong as we face life’s challenges daily.

Food for Thought: “Faith, mighty faith the promise sees and rests on that alone; laughs at impossibilities, and says it shall be done” - Wesley

Prayer: Lord, as I meditate daily on your word, build my faith so that I will laugh at impossibilities, and say it shall be done in Jesus name.

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

LET NO MAN'S HEART FAIL: Devotion for Sunday August 14, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17:31 – 39       

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:32

A man who knows His God speaks with boldness and confidence. David knows the God He serves and all His promises of protection, favour, fighting for His people, etc. He knows that God is able to use him especially when it involves the “uncircumcised.” A shepherd boy, who came the same morning from keeping sheep to see his senior brothers in the Israeli’s army camp, had more courage to challenge the Philistine giant than all the mighty men of Israel. This was a very sad and unfortunate case.

God does great things for Israel, by the weak and foolish things of the world. Remember the devotion of Thursday July 28 2016 – NOT THE SPECIAL TYPE where we read that God does not use the perceived great, wise and intelligent people of this world. Rather He chooses the weak, unintelligent and poor people of this world as His instruments so as to shame the wisdom of men. God remains a mystery worth knowing.  

By all standard military wise and stature, David cannot be compared to Goliath but he was the only man in Israel at that time that has the spirit and mind of God in him. Confidence in God is a source of the highest and noblest courage, the most self-sacrificing devotion to duty, and the most exalted virtue. David had no single iota of fear about Goliath. He told Saul and his captains, “Let no man's heart fails because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

As a child of God, what kind of message do you give to people when they face challenges of life? Do you speak faith into them or you bring more fear? Because David had the spirit of God in him, he was calm, confident and relaxed amidst the threat of Goliath. Is your heart troubled because of problems of life? Are you trouble because you are in prison; sick, unable to pass that examination, etc? Never mind, Jesus is saying "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me,” John 14:1.

Food for Thought: Deuteronomy 20:1 – 4

Prayer: Lord God, send your spirit to comfort me in areas I am troubled. Grant me the courage to confront all my fears and troubles of life the way you encouraged David to confront Goliath in Jesus name. Amen.

MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES: Devotion for Saturday August 13, 2016

MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITIES: Devotion for Saturday August 13, 2016

Text: 1 Samuel 17: 12 – 30           

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:26 – Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

We have opportunities that come our ways every day. When we maximize the opportunities they usually lead to more opportunities and blessings. Jesse had no other motive of sending David to his brothers in the Israeli army. Fortunately, David got to the Israeli camp at that critical juncture when Goliath was threatening the Israeli army. But God, who in His wisdom orders actions and affairs of men, was there to use David to serve a purpose. He made him and knew the qualities in him.

This instance wasn’t the first time David went to the Israeli camp to see his brothers. He visits them occasionally as we have in 1 Samuel 17:15. However, on this particular visit, David saw the Philistine champion, Goliath threatening the army of Israel and defying their God for 40 days. When David heard the words of Goliath and the promise made by Saul to whoever will kill Goliath, he opted to maximize the opportunity to glorify God. He saw Goliath as inferior in power compare to the fearful animals like bear and lion he had killed earlier while tending his father’s sheep.  

“In times of general formality and lukewarmness, every degree of zeal which implies readiness to go further, or to venture more in the cause of God than others, will be blamed as pride and ambition” so posited Matthew Henry. This was the case of David’s senior brother who picked offence against him for offering to fight Goliath. David saw that opportunity as appropriate and right to glorify God in the eyes of heathen nation and faithless Israel.

We do have such opportunities on daily basis to preach God’s word and to do good to others. How much do we utilise them? Do we consider what our relations will say and thus fail to speak out for God? Remember that if God can use donkey to speak, He can use any other thing to glorify His name. Will God use stones to glorify Himself when you are alive? Think about it.

Action: Use one opportunity you have this day to preach the gospel to someone.

Prayer: Help me to maximize every opportunity I have to glorify you, O Lord.

WAYS THE ENEMIES INTIMIDATE US: Devotion for Friday August 12, 2016

WAYS THE ENEMIES INTIMIDATE US: Devotion for Friday August 12, 2016

1 Samuel 17:1 – 11

Memory verse: 1 Samuel 17:10 - And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

I once read a story of a young Christian in the United States of American army who was always preaching the word of God to fellow soldiers. He never hid his faith in Christ Jesus. This did not go down with his captain who always challenges him that there is no God. One day, this captain wanting to make mockery of this young Christian and his faith, gave him key to a car without engine and asked him to go and start the car to prove that there is God. Initially, he protested that he can’t drive. Unknown to the young man that there was no engine, he prayed fixed the key into the ignition and started the car. From that day, the captain came to acknowledge that indeed there is God.

The Philistines used their giant Goliath as a tool to intimidate the Israelis. Not only did he intimidate the people, he also defied the God of Israel. This was insult on the God we serve. Unfortunately, none of the Israeli soldiers dared to stand his challenge. But thank God for David, though not enlisted in the Israeli’s army because of his age, rebuked him and killed him in disgraceful way.

There are many ways the enemies intimidate us; by instilling fear into us, making mockery of us, demanding that we do some things that are beyond reasoning, by proclaiming sanctions and fines against us, etc. We have a clear example in Daniel 3:8–12 and 6:4, 5. These young Jews held on to their faith in God and He honoured them. He didn’t allow their faith to fail them. He acted promptly. If not their persistence and resilience, who would have known that a man would be thrown into the fire and they fire will not burn the person? Are you being intimidated in your school, office, neighbourhood, home, etc, because of your faith? Never mind their intimidation. Hold on to God and do not give up. He did not disappoint Daniel and his compatriots and He will not disappoint you. 

Food for Thought: Intimidation is devil’s weapon to weaken our faith but those that know their God are never move by these antics. 

Prayer: My Father in heaven, make my faith stronger amidst all forms of intimidations of the enemies in Jesus name.