Ignorance Leads To Arrogance

Devotion for Friday June 22, 2018

Sing Sacred Songs & Solos (Sankey) 414

Topic: Ignorance Leads To Arrogance

Text: 2 Kings 19:8 – 13

Psalm 2:1 says, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?” The Psalmist mentioned in that Psalm about a gang up against the Lord and His anointed. However, Psalm 2:4, states that “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” This description fits into our Bible reading for the day. How can Sennercrib and his men compare a CREATOR to a creature? How can they boast that they made successes without acknowledging the source of their strength? How can they be so blind as to say that the God of Israel can’t save His people? Didn’t they hear what He did in Egypt? Didn’t they hear of what He did to give them the Promised Land? Maybe they were not told. Such ignorance gave rise to this unprecedented display of arrogance. A song writer says, “Who can battle with the Lord? (3x), I say nobody.” The best thing you can do for yourself is to know that there is a living God. Pharaoh asked Moses, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go." This is act of a man who is ignorant about God. Do you know God or you are still acting in ignorance? If you know God, you can’t meddle with sin. You can’t live a compromising life if actually you know God. This is so because our God is a consuming fire. Have you known Him? If not, repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today, and you will know Him and what He can do.

Food for Thought: The way we display arrogance reveals the level of our ignorance.

Memory verse: 2 Kings 19:10

Prayer: Lord God, may I not be ignorant to the extent of not recognizing your supremacy and Almightiness in Jesus name. Amen 

Pride And Its Effect

Devotion for Friday February 23, 2018

Topic: Pride And Its Effect

Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Him; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. His desire was to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. He boasted of the great things he has done to other nations (Isaiah 10:8 – 11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he was, and puts the staff into his hand (Isaiah 10:5). If he had consulted Nebuchadnezzar, he wouldn’t have been so pompous. His pomposity provoked God’s anger (Isaiah 10:12 – 15). 

Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (Isaiah 10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. 

Beloved, do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Psalm 75:7; Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). 

Sing A&M 194; Abu 177.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23                

Memory verse: Isaiah 10:12

Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have given to me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me in Jesus name. Amen      

God, Our Stronghold In The Days Of Trouble

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday February 10, 2017              

Topic: God, Our Stronghold In The Days Of Trouble 

Text: Nahum 1:2 – 8

Life is full of mysteries, challenges and uncertainties. Sometimes, these things bring fear, anxiety, worries and desperation. Though they bring these things mentioned above to us, they are the things that make life worth living because in most cases they bring out the best in us. However, when such mysteries, challenges and uncertainties come up, some people will start running to anchor somewhere. Where people run to or anchor depends on their knowledge and understanding. To those who know their God, they will anchor on Him in their time of troubles.

Here in our text, Nahum assures his people (The Israelites) of safety in God under the impending attack by Sennacherib saying that God is a stronghold in the day of trouble. This saying of Nahum is true and worthy of full acceptance. God being a stronghold here means that God alone is the one that can save them from the hands of Sennacherib.

Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8); none who puts his or her trust in Him will be disappointed. As there are many challenges confronting us, we should understand that our God is our stronghold against all challenges of life (Ps. 18:2). Zech. 9:12 urge us to return to our stronghold. As you cling to our stronghold and believe His word, He will guide you rightly and perfect all that concerns you.

The challenge facing you may be the need for healing, freedom from prison, securing a good job, getting a good spouse, house rent, school fees, threats of kidnappers, etc. Remember, He never failed those who make Him their stronghold. He will always keep safe, all entrusted to Him because He knows His own (2 Tim 2: 19) except you are not His own. As you go out today, trust God who is our stronghold for your protection, safety and blessings in your endeavours.    

Food for Thought: Times of trouble should challenge us to run into our stronghold for therein we have protection.

Memory verse: Nahum 1 verse 8 - But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Prayer:

1)      Heavenly Father, help me to rely on you whenever I am faced with trouble in Jesus name.

2)      Lord God, as I anchor on you in the days of trouble, answer me in Jesus name. Amen.

EFFECT OF PRIDE: Devotion for Tuesday June 21, 2016

Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19       Memory verse: v 12

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Himself; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. He designs to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. The Assyrian, boasts what great things he has done to other nations (10:8–11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he is, and puts the staff into his hand (10:5). How I wished he consulted Nebuchadnezzar. He wouldn’t have been so pompous.

This provoked God’s anger (10:12–15). Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. Do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Ps 75:7; Matt 23:12; Lk 18:14).

Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honour, 

Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have deposited in me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me.

REWARD FOR BLASPHEMY: Devotion for Thursday April 28, 2016

REWARD FOR BLASPHEMY: Devotion for Thursday April 28, 2016                                             

Text: 2 Kings 19:35 – 37    Memory verse: v 37

This was the just judgment of God for Sennacherib’s blasphemy, that he would be slain before the idol that he preferred to the living God, and by those who should by nature have needed his defence; a reward for blasphemy against God of Israel. According to Adam Clarke, there was a story that “He consulted his wise men how it was that such miracles should be wrought for the Israelites; who told him that it was because of the merit of Abraham who had offered his only son to God: he then said, I will offer to him my two sons; which when they heard, they rose up and slew him.” What a tragedy for a man who had boasted and blasphemed that God of Israel cannot save His people from his hands. God is no respecter of man because whatever position you hold today, He gave to you. Remember how He humbled Nebuchadnezzar.

From our bible text, it is obvious that no one contends with his Maker (Isa. 45:9). God is not a man. He deserves our reverence. We should hold Him in awe because He is a consuming fire. Whatever He says, He performs. One lesson we should learn here is that what God has said about dying in sin will surely come to pass. We shouldn’t discard them with wave of hand. God has reward for every sin. Repent of your sin today before it will be too late.

Food for Thought: "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder" – Matthew 21:44

Prayer: May I never contend with you, O Lord, my God, because it will mean death.  

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

 

IT IS I, THE LORD: Devotion for Wednesday April 27, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 19:20 – 34      Memory verse: v 22

Prov. 14:31 and 17:5 are similar. These two passages speak about making mockery of the poor and helpless which is indirectly reproaching God their Maker. God said here “It is I, the Lord” – (Living Bible) you have reproached. This is foolishness of unbelievers. After Hezekiah had prayed, God sent words to him through Isaiah, the son of Amoz with the words in 19:21ff. God made it clear that Sennacherib king of Assyria, through his messengers has reproached Him and therefore will face the consequences. God replied to Sennacherib’s taunting words (18:19–25), indicting him for arrogance. Sennacherib believed his kingdom had grown because of his own efforts and strength. In reality, he succeeded only because of what He had allowed and caused. Then God decreed what will happen between Hezekiah and Sennacherib (19:30 – 34).

There are so many ways we ridicule God in our arrogance and ignorance. When we despise fellow human being just because we are better off, we reproach God. Can you mention other ways we ridicule God? What the King of Assyria and his men did were done out of ignorance and arrogance. Most of us do so thinking that what we are today is a result of hard work. It is God who makes us. Therefore we shouldn’t use our positions to intimidate others. Rather, in humility, we should be appreciative of what God has made us.

Food for Thoughts: Do you reproach God by ridiculing or reproaching fellow human being?

Prayer: Deliver me, O Lord, from every form of arrogance and ignorance in my life in Jesus name.         

IGNORANCE BIRTHS ARROGANCE: Devotion for Monday April 25, 2016

IGNORANCE BIRTHS ARROGANCE: Devotion for Monday April 25, 2016

Text: 2 Kings 19:8 – 13       Memory verse: v 10

It was the Psalmist that said in Ps 2:1, “Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?” He mentioned in that Psalm about a gang up against the Lord and His anointed. However, Ps 2:4, states that “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.” This description fits into our Bible reading for the day. How can Sennacherib and his men compare a CREATOR to a creature? How can they boast that they made successes without acknowledging the source of their strength? How can they be so blinded as to say that the God of Israel can’t save His people? Didn’t they hear what He did in Egypt? Didn’t they hear of what He did to give them the Promised Land? Maybe they were not told. Such ignorance gave rise to this unprecedented display of arrogance.

A song writer says, “Who can battle with the Lord? (3x), I say nobody.” The best thing you can do for yourself is to know that there is a living God. Pharaoh asked Moses, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go." A man who is ignorant about God can say such. Do you know God or you are still acting in ignorance? If you know God, you can’t meddle with sin. You can’t live a compromising life if actually you know God. Have you known Him? If not repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today, and you will begin to know Him and what He can do.

Food for Thought: The way we display arrogance reveals the level of our ignorance.

Prayer: Lord God, may I not be ignorant to the extent of not recognizing your supremacy and Almightiness in Jesus name.