DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Dangerous Self-Isolation
TOPIC: Dangerous Self-Isolation (DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2023)
KEY VERSE: “And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein” (Judges 18:28).
TEXT: Judges 18:22-31 (KJV)
22 And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah’s house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
23 And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?
24 And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?
25 And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household.
26 And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.
27 And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire.
28 And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.
29 And they called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel: howbeit the name of the city was Laish at the first.
30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
31 And they set them up Micah’s graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
MESSAGE:
Man has been created to be inter-dependent. This is what John Donne meant when he said, “No man is an island!” No one or nation is self-sufficient. The practice of international relations is borne from the understanding that no nation, however endowed, can survive without the support of other nations.
In our text for today, we find the danger of a nation or individual trying to live in isolation of others. The marauding Danites came across the nation of Laish who thought themselves to live secure and in peace. They were far away from others and felt no need of external support. They also had no business dealings with others. This feeling of self-sufficiency and safety made them easy prey to the children of Dan who slayed them and burnt their city without any resistance.
No matter how strong you may think you are and how spiritually endowed, you need others. Isolation is not good for anyone. A lot of people have suffered unnecessarily and there are many who are dying silently because they fail to relate and interact with others. It is not a show of strength or spirituality when you choose to travel through life without any friend or partner to unburden your heart.
If you have been living in isolation and trying to manage life alone, you must change today. Find a friend; locate a fellowship and associate yourself with it. If you are not married yet as an adult, you need to find a life partner. Do not think you are too spiritual to marry. If you are within a fellowship already, do not be a lone ranger. Get actively involved and freely share with others. Never allow the devil to take advantage of your loneliness to bring you into defeat.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Strictly speaking, self-sufficiency exists only in word.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 6-7
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.
