Topic: Unfeigned Love Demanded [Monday February 13, 2017]
Text: Deuteronomy 22:1-12
Key Verse: “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother” (Deuteronomy 22:1).
“If we have got the true love of God shed abroad in our hearts,” Dwight L. Moody once said, “we will show it in our lives. We will not have to go up and down the earth proclaiming it. We will show it in everything we say or do.” This saying aptly captures God’s injunction in our text.
His commandment against negligence of an animal is a clear indication that we should not neglect anybody. An animal is not worth more than a human being. Yet, God commands care for the lost animal, looking for its owner. Even today, this commandment is still binding on us who claim to be His children. We should take care of beast and the souls of men. Unfortunately, some people see others, even their family members, straying away from God without blinking an eye. No intercession or effort made in any possible way to take off the load of sin or challenges from their lives. But God’s demand from His own is to stand in the gap on behalf of others.
He wants to see the good Samaritan in us, taking care of our neighbours and bringing sinners to Christ. He is not looking for those who beat their chests with pride as the only righteous people, neither is He looking for those who feel unconcerned about others’ eternal salvation and welfare. God expects His sons and daughters to be those who will ask on the reckoning day, “Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:37-40).
God wants to see you and I doing the deeds of the Good Samaritan notwithstanding our tight schedules and religious engagements.
Thought for the day: Be constrained by God’s love to love others, even your enemies.
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalm 78-79
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.
