DCLM Daily Manna 12 February 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Dead Men Walking Around
TOPIC: Dead Men Walking Around (DCLM Daily Manna 12 February 2024)
KEY VERSE: “But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife” (Genesis 20:3).
TEXT: Genesis 20:1-8 (KJV)
1 And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar.
2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.
4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?
5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.
6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.
7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
8 Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.
MESSAGE:
An American theologian, Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), was on point when he said, “There is no immunity from the consequences of sin; punishment is swift and sure to one and all.”
Abimelech (the Philistine king of Gerar) learned this lesson in a most startling manner when he received a solemn and divine rebuke for an adulterous venture. Abraham and Sarah, his wife, had relocated from Mamre to Gerar, a Philistine district on the south border of Palestine. For fear of being killed for the sake of his beautiful wife, he lied to the people that Sarah was his sister. Upon this, Abimelech took Sarah as part of his harem. God did not only prevent Abimelech from committing adultery with Sarah, but rebuked and ordered him to return her to her rightful husband. Abimelech’s plea of innocence which was hinged on Abraham’s folly of half-truth would not do. He had to restore Sarah to her husband. It was only then that God lifted the affliction that was already placed on him and his family.
The all-knowing God sees the secret of all men and is “of purer eyes than to behold evil…” From God’s perspective, Abimelech was a dead man; so is everyone who lives in sin, irrespective of his status in life. Indeed, most people who are walking around in the world today are dead in sin and trespasses. Worse still, eternal damnation awaits them hereafter.
Thankfully, Abimelech heeded the divine warning, promptly “repented” and restored Abraham his wife. This is the only way to go for every sinner. If you are yet to accept God’s provision for your salvation, take a step toward your redemption today by confessing your sin and accepting Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sin deceives, deafens, defiles and damns the sinner.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Joshua 5-7
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.
