DCLM Daily Manna 11 October 2021 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — What Does God Think Of You?
TOPIC: What Does God Think Of You?
TEXT: Song of Solomon 1:5-8
5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents.
KEY VERSE: “Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.” – (Song of Solomon 1:6)
MESSAGE:
Many believers hold themselves to a standard the Lord has not prescribed for them. As a result, they become insecure in faith and they keep doubting their standing before God. Lacking in confidence and assurance of God’s love, they end up living a mediocre Christian life and fail to achieve their full potential in Christ.
The lady in our text was the well beloved of King Solomon. She correctly described herself as very dark and lovely. Yet, she was conscious of her appearance almost to a fault. She was dark complexioned and therefore, looked different from the women she found in Jerusalem who were all light skinned and are not given to hard work. She was accustomed to hard labour, having been forced by her siblings to care for the vineyard. She worked hard under the scorching sun, and soon became deeply dark.
She did not see any advantage in this, though she had little time to care for herself. As other ladies gazed at her everywhere she went in Jerusalem, she rebuked them. But as it turned out, Solomon loved her so much for her dark skin and described her as the most beautiful among women. He urged her to remain dedicated in her work.
What you see as a disadvantage may, in fact, be your trump card. Therefore, do not see yourself as unloved and unwanted by God. Once Christ has forgiven your sins, learn to forgive yourself too. Never doubt His love so long as you are walking in the light of the gospel. He loves you so deeply, and is always touched by your challenges and feelings of inadequacy. Thus, He will neither leave nor forsake you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
You are more valuable to God than many sparrows.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 22-25
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.
