Topic: Living By The Precepts Of Men [23rd September 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: Isaiah 29:9-15 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men“ (Isaiah 29:13).
MESSAGE:
The late revival preacher, Leonard Ravenhill said, “You may fool your pastor; you may fool yourself, but you will never fool God”. No one can fool God. He knows all things and sees all things. He knows the difference between what you say and what you mean. He sees what you do and knows why you do them. He can smell a fake believer anywhere, anytime. He is the omniscient God. Nothing is hid before His all-seeing eyes. He knows and sees the secrets of every heart.
During the time of Isaiah’s ministry, the Israelites abandoned the worship of the true God. Though religious, God did not hide His displeasure for the wrong things they did. He condemned their lack of spiritual vision and ignorance. God further accused them of drawing near to Him with the mouth alone, honouring Him with the lips only, while removing their hearts far from Him and fearing Him only after the precept of men. God hates it when His children engage in deception and worldliness. A Christian is to serve as the light of the world and we do not take our cues from the unrighteous. The precepts of man symbolise the ways and lifestyles of unbelievers.
Precepts of men are different from the precepts of God. God’s ways are holy, precise and clear; men’s precepts are opposed to godliness. Today, you can decide to break away from following the worldly principles of deception, sincerely repent of all sins and acts of formalism, and put your faith in Christ to obey the voice of the Lord. He sees your heart and will help you along the road to glory, if you let Him in as your Lord and Saviour.
Thought For The Day: Beware! God sees your thoughts and intentions!
Bible Reading In One Year: Esther 1-5
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.
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