A GOOD INTENTION MISCONSTRUED

DEVOTION FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2016

Topic: A GOOD INTENTION MISCONSTRUED     

Text: Numbers 13:26 – 33                  

Though the issue of spying out the Promised Land was first suggested by the Israelites themselves but when God later gave the approval, it was His intension that their findings will encourage them to swiftly go into action to posses the land. Unfortunately, it was not so. The Promised Land was indeed magnificent, as the 12 spies discovered (13:27). The Bible calls it the land flowing with milk and honey. Although the land was relatively small (150 miles long and 60 miles wide), its lush hillsides were covered with fig, date, and nut trees. These good descriptions of the land were despised by the majority report given by 10 out of the 12 spies because of the descendants of Anak there (13:28). The minority report of Caleb and Joshua were rejected.

The scenario after the reports was never the intent of God in approving their request to spy out the land. God wanted them to see and believe but it turned out the opposite. Most times, this is how God’s goodwill, providence, grace and mercies are defeated, misunderstood or abused. For example, God has called us into liberty. Many has misunderstood it and abused it by willfully committing immoral sins. This was the reason Paul said, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1b)? We shouldn’t abuse the good intentions of God in providing that spouse, job, vehicle, etc by despising God, neglecting fellowships, church services and programmes. We should make good use of every opportunity God gives us to worship and glorify Him.

Memory verse: Numbers 13 verse 31

Food for Thought: Grace is not a license to continue in sin.  

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to understand the essence of the grace and mercies I enjoy now so I can live my life therein to glorify you.

DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2016

DEVOTION FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2016

Topic: THEY SAW EXACTLY AS GOD TOLD THEM        

Text: Numbers 13:21 – 25                Memory verse: Numbers 13 verse 23

When the Almighty God says something, there is no reason to doubt Him. When Jesus spoke to His disciples about heaven during His earthly ministry, some may have doubted as some still doubt the reality of heaven and hell but when He took John the beloved and showed him what he recorded in the book Revelation, the doubts disappeared. God gave the approval to spy out the Promised Land as we read yesterday so that all their doubts about what He told them will end.     

The Twelve Spies went quite through the land, from Zin in the south, to Rehob, near Hamath, in the north (Numbers 13:21) and saw the land as God described it. Probably they did not go altogether as a body because it would have created suspicion and they would have been in more danger and taken up if the Canaanites knew how near the Israelites were to them; but they may have divided themselves into several companies, and so passed unsuspected, as way-faring men. That would have been the wisdom the spies applied.

They took particular notice of Hebron (Numbers 13:22) probably because there, was the field of Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried (Genesis 23:2) whose dead bodies did, as it were, keep possession of that land for their posterity. They saw the sons of Anak there; where they should have received the greatest encouragements but there they met with the greatest discouragements just because of giants (Anak).

Satan has ways of discouraging us. Where God has kept blessings for us, he will go and plant what will discourage us. That these men saw the Promised Land as God told them through Moses should have encouraged them. Many of us are easily discouraged by what we see or hear despite all the promises of God for us in the bible. Many of us have enjoyed the goodness and mercies of God severally but it have not changed our mentality about God’s grace, providence and protective arm. Having enjoyed the mercies of God, we shouldn’t be downcast when sickness, trials, temptations and problems of life comes our way.              

Food for Thought: God is ever faithful to His word. He doesn’t change. Therefore do not have any reason to doubt.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the eyes of faith to see things the way you see them in Jesus name. Amen.

GOD OF EQUITY

DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2016

Topic: GOD OF EQUITY                     

Text: Numbers 13:1 – 20        Memory verse: Numbers 13 verse 2  

One of the greatest problems confronting us in our nation Nigeria is the issue of justice and equity. This problem is not similar to Nigeria alone. From what I read, United States of America adopted Electoral College as part of the process in choosing a President to ensure equity. God who called the nation Israel knew that equity is one way to ensure peace and progress. Thus in our scriptural reading, he ensured all the tribes were represented among the spies that went to search out the Promised Land.

The command to go and search out the Promised Land was not God’s original plan. He would have had the people go immediately forward under His all- sufficient guidance (Deuteronomy 1:20, 21) but when the people proposed first to search the land, God was pleased to permit the plan, and to give directions respecting the manner of executing it (Deuteronomy 1:22–23). Moses decided to get valuable information before the people could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 13:17 – 20), and he took careful steps to get that information. God, being God of equity instructed that there should be equity in choosing the spies. When you are making decisions or assuming new responsibilities, remember these two important steps. Ask yourself what you need to know about the opportunity, and then obtain that knowledge. Common sense is a valuable aid in accomplishing God’s purposes.

From the instruction God gave, it show His fair dealing with us. He didn’t allow only few tribes to do the spying no matter their population. Every tribe was represented to ensure equity and fairness, and also balance judgment. This is the way He deals with all of us as Christians. He doesn’t favour some people because of their creed or race. This is a challenging example for our leaders in Nigeria with her peculiar nature of diverse tribes. There should not be any room to deny people their rights just because they are few in number. As leaders in various capacities; be it in the church, in government, in organizations, etc, we should not be selective in dealing with people rather we should maintain a fair playing ground for everyone to participate to avoid accusation that their rights are denied.

Food for Thought: God’s standard has remained same for every Christian no matter your creed or race.

Prayer: God, your standard remains the same for every believer. Grant me the grace to live by it and not to assume you will lower your standard in anyway.