DCLM Daily Manna 8 June 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Can You Withstand This?
TOPIC: Can You Withstand This? (DCLM Daily Manna 8 June 2023)
KEY VERSE: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
TEXT: Amos 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?
7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
MESSAGE:
A young man, John, had hoped that he would inherit his father’s business empire. People had even been fondly calling him CEO junior. Many envied him and wished that they were in his shoes but his father had become concerned with some character traits he had noticed in his son. Just out of curiosity, he decided to confirm his son’s paternity. Lo and behold, it was negative. The young man’s plans and expected benefits of ‘sonship’ suddenly evaporated.
Amos equally revealed God’s controversy against the children of Israel. He had invested so much on the nation but was full of regrets. God was greatly disappointed and angry against Israel. What brought about this situation? Perhaps Israel had thought that being God’s favoured nation, He would pamper them and overlook their transgressions. They rested on their supposed covenanted relationship with Him and expected that they would always be a companion of His.
Resting on perceived and received favour from God while systematically losing the basis of the relationship that originally brought the favour is the fatal mistake many make today. God does not hold on to a ‘son’ or ‘daughter’ who transgresses and abandons Him. If such a person fails to repent, He will turn back to judge him or her and mete out eternal punishment. Israel did not have unconditional security with God; nobody has it today.
In the light of this, believers should watch daily and ensure that they are not just professing long lost salvation whereas, the substance has evaporated. May we not end up being called ‘Ichabod’ – the glory has departed!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Sin estranges one from God – avoid costly assumptions.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 8-10
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
