Topic: Divine Compassion In Full Armour [16th August 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: Exodus 22:18-31 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child” (Exodus 22:21,22).
MESSAGE:
God’s compassion for man has been in full light even before the advent of His Son Jesus Christ. This flows from a God of love who throws His might on the side of the weak, the humble and the disadvantaged. Noticing how the wicked system of a Satan-controlled world has deprived the vulnerable his lot, He decided to roll out laws to moderate society and put oppressors in check.
Therefore, the code of conduct presented to the children of Israel shortly after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea is just an instance of the great love God has for His people.
As they headed for the Promised Land and with more challenges ahead, the Lord put into place a divinely guided system of justice superior to what they were used to in Egypt. He demonstrated more of His love when He commanded that there should be no tyrannical treatment of widows, the fatherless, orphans, the poor and strangers. These are the class most trampled upon and deprived. But they are also creatures of the Almighty, whom Christ died for. God doesn’t want them to be denied the essential things of life.
God’s concern for the poor was repeated by Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. It was the opening point of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3). When there was murmuring among the disciples over the issue of leadership, He told them not to relate to each other on a master-servant basis. Both the Old and New Testaments speak volume of the love of God for man. It is a long unbreakable thread of guidelines dealing with divine compassion. This must flow freely from the hearts of saints unto others.
Thought For The Day: God is clothed in the garment of mercy.
Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 32-34
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.