DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2018
DREADFUL NEWS
TEXT:1SAMUEL 3:11-21
KEY VERSE: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for iniquity which he knoweth, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not (1 Samuel 3:13).
If the temple at Shiloh was ancient Israel’s most priced treasure, Eli the chief priest did not reflect its honour in the way he handled his son’s contempt for the house of God. While the Lord found no fault with Eli for allocating responsibilities in the temple to his sons, Hophin and Phinehas, He upbraided their father for not stopping them upon discovering their vileness. Eli defaulted in parental guidance and discipline.
It hurts to find that those who ought to be models of good conduct in Gods house are the source of defilement. This obviously was a worse display of disrespect for righteousness.
God had to intervene. In 1Samuel 2:27-36, He sent someone to warn the priest of the impending judgement that would bring an end to Eli’s priesthood and the death, in one day, of Hophni and Phinehas. Their family would also no longer be in the lineage of priests. Finally, there was the prediction that Samuel would replace Eli.
There are three key lessons to learn here, first, it is not enough to claim to please God on the basis of merely being a worker in the vineyard of God. Second, God does not take dishonouring of his precious Church lightly because “he hath purchased (it) with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28). Finally, family and church members must be watchful to urgently discipline errant brethren in order not to bring down the entire fold when God moves to judge sin; for “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31). God will punish sinners on earth and in eternity. Repent now, forsake all your sins, receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour and live a holy lifestyle to escape Gods wrath.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Move from sin to avoid God’s move against sin.
COVER TO COVER: GENESIS 16-18.
PONDER:
1. 2 personalities: Eli who has lost his calling and didn't know; and Samuel who received a call and didn't know either.
2. Eli was not living in sin except that he was negligent in his ministerial and parental duties. The punishment was heavy. It is not enough to live a righteous life. Are you committed to God's service and divinely given responsibilities?
3. Observe that Eli, though a priest, forgot to consider the option of prayer for mercy which could have reversed the judgement. He has lost his calling, his prayer life and knowledge of the scriptures.
4. I Sam 3:14 is same as unforgivable sins. Note that God did not say the sins CANNOT be purged but that their sins SHALL not be purged. Why? Just because they despised the sacrifice and the blood that will cleanse their sins. This is sinning against the Spirit Hebrews 10:29,26-28.
5. V19 gives a test of true prophetic ministry that is still intact: his word never fall to the ground i.e. his prophesies NEVER fails. Beware of prophets who have lost their calling.
6. More Samuels needed in this generations. You can be one.
7. Eli forgot to count the cost of negligence even though it was heavy and generational.
HYMN: Have you counted the cost?
1. There's a line that is drawn by rejecting our Lord,
Where the call of His Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
Chorus:
Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost
Tho' you gain the whole world for your own?
Even now it may be that the line you have crossed,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
2 You may barter your hope of eternity's morn,
For a moment of joy at the most,
For the glitter of sin and the things it will win -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost? [Chorus]
3 While the door of His mercy is open to you,
Ere the depth of His love you exhaust,
Won't you come and be healed, won't you whisper, I yield -
I have counted, I have counted the cost. [Chorus]
PRAYER POINTS:
1. God, help me to discover my ministry and fulfil it.
2. Teach me not to be negligent with my ministry but diligently pursue it to the very end.
3. Make me another Samuel in my corner.
4. Pray for those who have lost their ministry in the church that they will get it back and come alive like of old.
COVER TO COVER: GENESIS 16-18.
1. 2 personalities: Eli who has lost his calling and didn't know; and Samuel who received a call and didn't know either.
2. Eli was not living in sin except that he was negligent in his ministerial and parental duties. The punishment was heavy. It is not enough to live a righteous life. Are you committed to God's service and divinely given responsibilities?
3. Observe that Eli, though a priest, forgot to consider the option of prayer for mercy which could have reversed the judgement. He has lost his calling, his prayer life and knowledge of the scriptures.
4. I Sam 3:14 is same as unforgivable sins. Note that God did not say the sins CANNOT be purged but that their sins SHALL not be purged. Why? Just because they despised the sacrifice and the blood that will cleanse their sins. This is sinning against the Spirit Hebrews 10:29,26-28.
5. V19 gives a test of true prophetic ministry that is still intact: his word never fall to the ground i.e. his prophesies NEVER fails. Beware of prophets who have lost their calling.
6. More Samuels needed in this generations. You can be one.
7. Eli forgot to count the cost of negligence even though it was heavy and generational.
Where the call of His Spirit is lost,
And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
Have you counted the cost, if your soul should be lost
Tho' you gain the whole world for your own?
Even now it may be that the line you have crossed,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?
For a moment of joy at the most,
For the glitter of sin and the things it will win -
Have you counted, have you counted the cost? [Chorus]
Ere the depth of His love you exhaust,
Won't you come and be healed, won't you whisper, I yield -
I have counted, I have counted the cost. [Chorus]
1. God, help me to discover my ministry and fulfil it.
2. Teach me not to be negligent with my ministry but diligently pursue it to the very end.
3. Make me another Samuel in my corner.
4. Pray for those who have lost their ministry in the church that they will get it back and come alive like of old.
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