DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018
UNITY OF PURPOSE
TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 12:23-40
Key Verse: “ All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.” (1 Chronicles 12:38)_
A story is told of a man who, on his dying bed, desired to teach his three sons a lesson in unity and cooperation. He asked for a bunch of broom which he demanded they should break. Each of them tried but could not break the bunch. He then told them to untie the broom and attempt to break them stick after stick. This they did very easily and the lesson was not lost upon his sons, who vowed to their father that they would always stick together.
David’s route to the kingship of all Israel had been a chequered one. He ran from Saul’s fury and wrath, hiding in caves, mountains and forests. But God’s time for the fulfilment of His plan had come at last for him to be crowned. Being a man of war, so made by the circumstances of his time, he had a well-organised army with an astonishing number of brave and fearless soldiers. Everything was provided for a successful coronation.
Our text is about the gathering of men of war at Hebron (verse 40) for the singular purpose of installing David as king. They came from all the tribes of Israel, including the “children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times” (verse 32). These men of war that could keep rank came with a perfect heart (verse 38). The lessons here are on unity and perfect commitment for a good and noble cause.
There is a noble cause which has been committed to the Church and that is reaching the whole world with the gospel. Jesus is coming soon; the church should be busy evangelizing to get sinners into the Kingdom. Are you involved in this good cause? There must be unity of purpose if we are going to be successful in this great task.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God is honoured when we unite for noble cause.
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📖COVER to COVER: LEVITICUS 22-23.
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📖COVER to COVER: LEVITICUS 22-23.
PONDER:
1. The coronation in the text is a fulfilment of a 13 year old promise to David after a cruel persecution and painful wilderness experience. Sweet to trust in Jesus. What God promised He will do will be done!
2. The people who made him king were the army of Saul who, with Saul, were responsible for his bitter travails. It is a fulfilment of the verse (check): "When the ways of a man pleases the Lord, He make his enemies to be at peace with him."
3. How could this warriors unanimously unite to crown their archenemy? The grace of God.
4. When there is grace of God in the heart, there will be joy in the elevation of others, including our enemies, once we know that it is the will of God. Or should a true believer be sad at the will of God for someone he/she does not like? It is a matter of time, people will rejoice at the elevation of him/who rejoices at the elevation of others.
1. The coronation in the text is a fulfilment of a 13 year old promise to David after a cruel persecution and painful wilderness experience. Sweet to trust in Jesus. What God promised He will do will be done!
2. The people who made him king were the army of Saul who, with Saul, were responsible for his bitter travails. It is a fulfilment of the verse (check): "When the ways of a man pleases the Lord, He make his enemies to be at peace with him."
3. How could this warriors unanimously unite to crown their archenemy? The grace of God.
4. When there is grace of God in the heart, there will be joy in the elevation of others, including our enemies, once we know that it is the will of God. Or should a true believer be sad at the will of God for someone he/she does not like? It is a matter of time, people will rejoice at the elevation of him/who rejoices at the elevation of others.
HYMN: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (GHS 48)
1. 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]
3 Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Recall all the unfulfilled promises of God for you and praise God with joy that they will come to pass.
2. Ask God for the grace to live the life pleasing to God that will make enemies, known and unknown, visible and invisible, to be at peace with you.
3. Ask for grace to rejoice at the elevation of others without envy and jealousy.
4. Pray for grace to be united in the church and to rejoice at others elevation and not contribute to the downfall of others according to the will of God.
1. Recall all the unfulfilled promises of God for you and praise God with joy that they will come to pass.
2. Ask God for the grace to live the life pleasing to God that will make enemies, known and unknown, visible and invisible, to be at peace with you.
3. Ask for grace to rejoice at the elevation of others without envy and jealousy.
4. Pray for grace to be united in the church and to rejoice at others elevation and not contribute to the downfall of others according to the will of God.
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