Topic: God Is Sovereign [DCLM Daily Manna 14 July 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Proverbs 21:1-15
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Key Verse: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).
MESSAGE:
There is absolutely nothing that happens in the universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. To say that He is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing things according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him, “What doest Thou?” He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in heaven and earth; none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will. The verses in our text remind us of God’s power to control the affairs of men. Kings, whether great or small, and all those in authority are subject to His rule. He has the absolute power to direct their hearts to whichever path He wills. Though man may want to prove that his ways are right in his own eyes, God, who ponders the heart in His Sovereignty, looks beyond the outward appearance. He therefore demands justice and judgment.
God hates pride, lying, theft and robbery. Wealth obtained through these means is described as vanity and leads to death. The text reiterates that dwelling in a small cubicle with peace of mind is far better than a state of unrest. God, in His Sovereignty, will certainly overthrow the wicked and their riches because of their wickedness. The rich are admonished to lift up the poor if they themselves would have their prayers answered by God. In order to have a peaceful society, we must strive to pacify anger and wrath by being generous to all. We must be just in our actions and judgments to all. We must remain in the congregation of the righteous and not be found among those who live carelessly and lack the understanding of the sovereignty of God over all things.
Thought For The Day: No one can question God!
The Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 9-11
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.
