DCLM Daily Manna 3 February 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Victorious But On Guard

TOPIC: Victorious But On Guard

TEXT: Nehemiah 7:1-4 (KJV)

1 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,

2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

3 And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.

KEY VERSE: “And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.” – (Nehemiah 7:3)

MESSAGE:

The general tendency after a major victory or breakthrough is to feel relaxed and let down the guard. The feeling is to think that the enemy has been vanquished and now is the time to unbuckle the armour and rest. But experience has shown that each victory opens up a new form of warfare and attracts new kinds of foes. Those who failed to learn this all-important lesson of life have suffered the most catastrophic defeat, even after victory.

Nehemiah understood this very well. After the walls of Jerusalem were finished, he saw the need to still fortify security around the city and keep safety measures. Also, sentries (watchmen) were to be placed to watch over every house. Care must be taken not to concede defeat after victory.

Every victory, success or achievement in life demands greater level of watchfulness. It is at such point that one becomes most vulnerable and susceptible to attacks and fall. Your victory now will infuriate the enemy and make him more determined to bring about your defeat and downfall. Also, your new success and achievement will stir up the envy and jealousy of others who will become new set of foes determined to see your downfall.

This is not meant to strike fear into your life or make you dread success. It is rather to help you know how to guard your success so that it will remain enduring and permanent. Hymn writer, Charlotte Elliott, in her song, ‘Christian Seek Not Yet Repose’ advises the warrior to ‘Watch and pray’

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Still keep your guard!

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 7-9

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.

DCLM Daily Manna 2 February 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Satan Is Conquerable

TOPIC: Satan Is Conquerable

TEXT: Revelation 20:1-15 (KJV)

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

KEY VERSE: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” – (Revelation 20:10)

MESSAGE:

No matter how long it may seem, evil shall ultimately be defeated and good shall prevail. Adolf Hitler seemed almost unstoppable during the Second World War, as he pushed his evil agenda of wiping out the Jews across Europe. But what appeared unstoppable and unconquerable ended abruptly when he, seeing his obvious defeat and fearing being captured alive, committed suicide.

Our passage today reveals the ultimate defeat and judgment of Satan and the final triumph of righteousness and good. Since creation, he has opposed the cause of God on earth, sponsored and encouraged evil in a seeming unchallengeable manner. But at last, his end is predicted. He will be cast into the lake of fire eventually where he will be in an endless torment with all who served him.

Looking at the way things are today, it appears evildoers are getting the upper hand and becoming bolder and unchallengeable in many places. Truths are being diluted and righteousness mocked and trampled over. This daily increase of evil has weakened the faith of many Christians and made their love to wax cold as predicted by Christ.

This revelation about the final defeat of Satan should be a cheering comfort to all believers. We should be encouraged and strengthened to stand firm in faith and in righteousness because Jesus has defeated Satan who will ultimately be made to suffer eternal punishment for all the wickedness he has done. Therefore, believers can have present victory over his works before the final day of eternal punishment.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Evil and wickedness have an expiry day.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Deuteronomy 4-6

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.