DCLM Daily Manna 13 April 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Someone To Lean On
TOPIC: Someone To Lean On (DCLM Daily Manna 13 April 2022)
TEXT: Proverbs 17:15-28 (KJV)
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
KEY VERSE: “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (PROVERBS 17:17).
MESSAGE:
Jackie Robinson was the first black to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball’s colour barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.
In the passage under discussion today, the author, by the Spirit of God characterises the qualities of a good brother and friend. A true friend loves at all times, in sickness or health, through the good and the bad times. True brothers stay with us in times of adversity.
During the days of segregation and racism in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, many black and coloured people were humiliated and maltreated in public places. They were subjected to inhuman treatment, in proportions that should not happen under any civilised setting. Their very humanity was called to question. Unfortunately, some so-called Christian congregations joined in the practice of racism, refusing to hold mixed services for fear of offending the black supremacists and other misguided locals. Up until this moment, racism has not totally left us.
The cheering news, however, is the courage of true friends, like Wee Reese who dare to stand with their colleagues in times of trouble. The world needs more of this kind of friendship today.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Everyone needs someone to lean on.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 78-79
DCLM 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.
