Topic: Use It Rightly [DCLM Daily Manna 21 June 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: Isaiah 10:1-19 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!” (Isaiah 10:1,2).
MESSAGE:
A story is told of a pencil manufacturer in a small town. Before he packed and sold his pencils, he would describe the qualities of the pencil. He said, “the pencil always leaves a mark in any surface. One could correct mistakes of these marks if the eraser was intact. What was in the middle of the pencil determined its worth. The pencil could be sharpened and reshaped if broken. And the hand that holds the pencil determines the merit of what the pencil would produce”.
God had sent a strong warning to the house of Israel and the heathen nations around them through Prophet Isaiah. The warning started with those who used their pen to subvert justice, rob the innocent and defraud the vulnerable. In this manner, God was also referring to those who were at leadership or vantage positions, who milk public funds and subject the masses to untold hardship. It is wrong to oppress, defraud or subvert justice because of gain.
It is wrong and sinful to use your pen, position and privileges to plunder public wealth. God condemns all such activities, irrespective of whether it is being perpetrated in the home, church, community or workplace.
Like the pencil, we are to leave a godly mark on everyone and everywhere we live or work. If, as a result of sinful past, we erred, we are to correct our mistakes by making due restitution and returning stolen resources. Our hearts must be kept from offences, if we are to escape God’s judgement at any time. Broken pieces of the past can be mended, if we take it to God in penitence.
Thought For The Day: Use whatever you possess in a godly way.
The Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 3–4
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.
