Topic: Whose Child Are You? [Saturday February 17th, 2018]
Text: 1 Chronicles 8:33-40 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal” (1 Chronicles 8:33).
MESSAGE:
A famous American war hero attempted once to explain the great influence that moulded his life, and hinged it on his mother’s advice that ‘character is everything’. And he admitted that his character was formed by the virtues his parents imparted in him.
This underscores the importance of a good pedigree. Saul’s grandfather and father are traced to the tribe of Benjamin, the youngest child of Jacob. His parent evidently made a positive impact in his early life. His father, Kish, “a mighty man of power”, brought him up to be “a choice young man, and a goodly, and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he…” He was not just handsomely built, he was an exemplary child who followed his father’s directive and obeyed his instructions. No wonder God picked this unlikeliest of persons to be the first king of Israel.
Unfortunately, he seemed to forget whose son he was and what he learnt from his father when he was made king. He became insecure and would do anything to please the people and remain popular with them, even at the risk of disobeying God. Saul’s son, Jonathan stood in bold contrast to him. He maintained the heritage of good character from his fore-fathers, unlike Saul, his father. Despite his father’s prodding, he refused to be jealous of David with whom he had struck a deep friendship. He even helped David to escape from Saul’s murderous attempts on his life.
The choice is ours as children of God to retain the good character and virtues bestowed on us by the Lord at salvation or to abandon them once we begin to record success in life. For some, it is the blessings they receive from God that lead them from faith into rebellion. May you continue to remember whose child you are so as to maintain a righteous balance!
Thought For The Day: A disciple is known by the image of his Master.
Bible Reading in a Year: Leviticus 14-15.
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.
 Key Verse: “And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal” (1 Chronicles 8:33).){kind=link}