DCLM Daily Manna 3 February 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi – Wisdom To Tackle Danger

Topic: Wisdom To Tackle Danger

Text: Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV)

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Key Verse: “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13).

MESSAGE:

At the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries imposed a general lockdown restricting large gatherings and closing down worship centres temporarily. Some Christians frowned at these measures taken to curb the spread of the virus. They claimed the Church of God and Christians who worshipped in them are immune to such infections. To them, faith is seen as being able to confront dangers headlong – whether COVID-19 or any other – without a prudent retreat.

Those who hold such views will not hesitate to brand Joseph’s action here as cowardly and faithless even though God had instructed him to flee into Egypt with the mother and Child to escape Herod’s plot to kill the Child. Following the visit of the wise men, Herod saw the birth of Jesus as a threat to his throne. No doubt, the devil was at work from behind the scenes here to abort the plan of the cross.

For sure, it would not have taken God anything to keep the Child Jesus in Judea and protect Him from those who wanted to kill Him. He could also have confronted Herod directly in defense of the Child; but now, in His wisdom, He chose to make Him run to Egypt for safety. Christians then, must learn to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.

Faith is not cowardice or an act of unbelief. We must learn to run away or hide from danger if that is the wise and best thing to do in the face of a threatening situation. It will be foolish to face danger headlong when we can easily avoid it, be safe and remain alive to fulfil God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Let us however be careful that when we are seeking protection and safety, we do not do it outside God’s leading and directives.

Thought For The Day: Divine protection can come in different ways; be wise!

The Bible In One Year: Matthew 12-13

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

DCLM Daily Manna 2 February 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F Kumuyi – When God Fights For You

Topic: When God Fights For You

Text: Joshua 12:1-6 (KJV)

1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:

2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;

3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:

4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,

5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

Key Verse: “Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east.” – (Joshua 12:1)

MESSAGE:

A nation’s military might is not only dependent on its weaponry but also on its experience at war in the past. This knowledge helps it to develop tactics and improve on its art of warfare.

The nation of Israel was by no means a match for the kings and nations whose defeats our passage today captures. These nations were long established and organised. Over the years, they must have gained much experience at war. Israel was a new nation just coming out of over four hundred years of slavery, subjugation, physical assaults and mental harassments, with no organised or experienced army and no known weapons of war. But contrary to expectations, they defeated these nations and took possession of their lands.

Size is not might and experience does not count when God goes with you in the battle against your enemies. As Christians, we should allow God’s past dealings in the Bible encourage and engender faith and confidence in us. As He fulfilled His promises to the children of Israel to fight and defeat strong nations before them, so will He fulfil every promise He has made to us. You do not have to be afraid of the size of the enemy, or let his past records at war intimidate you.

So then, as you step out today and the rest of your life, go on and face those threatening and intimidating battles by faith. Do not fear that interview, examination or project you are about to face. Do not allow the stories you have heard about or evangelistic field, make you develop cold feet and so run back! You can win that marital battle, conquer that financial difficulty and live victoriously over every sin and temptation. You have the victory already; go out and reign!

Thought For The Day: With God, you will win every battle!

The Bible In One Year: Matthew 10-11

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.