DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
BEWARE OF GOD’S JUDGEMENT
TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 11:7-10
Key Verse: "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
Sitting morosely on the pavement of the church main building, Kenneth looked like a shadow of his old self. Here was a young man who, a few years back, was full of life, living and behaving as if there was not going to be tomorrow. He was given to alcohol, women and despicable night life. He scorned at preachers, called them unprintable names. He scoffed at every warning and advice. He would say his life belonged to him and that no one should tell him how to live it. But today, he is as thin as a broom stick, sick of HIV/AIDS and waiting … while the clock ticks.
The passage under consideration warns us, youths, in particular that we must beware of the ‘days of darkness’ in spite of the sweetness of the light. God has given us all things to enjoy while we live on this side of heaven. But our enjoyment and rejoicing must be moderated by the inescapable fact that God holds everyone accountable for what they do in the process.
People live their lives today as if it belongs to them in absolute terms and consequently do not remember God, their Creator. They engage in cult practices: they murder innocent children for ritualistic, money-making purposes. With the ill-gotten wealth, they live in adultery, fornication and multiple marriages. These attract God’s wrath: “know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee into judgement”.
This is the day to make U-turn in order to escape the judgement of God with all its unpleasant and tragic consequences. It may seem momentarily that God stays His hands against iniquities. Know for sure, that each and every sin committed shall be judged by Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. The only way of escape is to repent of your sins, ask God for forgiveness and cleansing in Christ’s blood, and live daily in anticipation that you will give account of it one day.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There are two paths ahead of everyone: life and death.
COVER to COVER: LEVITICUS 5-7.
COVER to COVER: LEVITICUS 5-7.
CLARIFICATION :
1. The text is a warning to the unbelievers and the careless.
2. The target youths are ignorant of the fact that the world is not a bed of roses v8, they indulge in pleasure and entertainment v9, 10a, and are unmindful of the judgement day v9.
3. Are you such a youth or you know someone like that? The end result of such a life is childhood and "youthful vanity" of wasted and regretful years v10.
4. Recall cases of people in the Bible whose childhood and youthful years were not spent in vanity and ponder on what really helped them to live profitable lives. Yours can be profitable too.
5. If vanity is characteristic of children and youths who lacked or reject good guidance, it will be foolishness for adults to be given to vanity. Psalm 24:3,4; I John 2:15-17.
1. The text is a warning to the unbelievers and the careless.
2. The target youths are ignorant of the fact that the world is not a bed of roses v8, they indulge in pleasure and entertainment v9, 10a, and are unmindful of the judgement day v9.
3. Are you such a youth or you know someone like that? The end result of such a life is childhood and "youthful vanity" of wasted and regretful years v10.
4. Recall cases of people in the Bible whose childhood and youthful years were not spent in vanity and ponder on what really helped them to live profitable lives. Yours can be profitable too.
5. If vanity is characteristic of children and youths who lacked or reject good guidance, it will be foolishness for adults to be given to vanity. Psalm 24:3,4; I John 2:15-17.
HYMN: When I Survey wondrous cross
1.When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, x-ray my heart; expose and expunge all the hidden and deceptive vanities through the light of the truth.
2. Lord, I am a youth, don't allow me to spend my life in vanities. Give me a purpose for living.
3. Pray for the youths in the church that they will have light and love of the truth.
4. Pray for wisdom for fathers and mothers in the Church to be model examples and teachers of children and youths.
1. Lord, x-ray my heart; expose and expunge all the hidden and deceptive vanities through the light of the truth.
2. Lord, I am a youth, don't allow me to spend my life in vanities. Give me a purpose for living.
3. Pray for the youths in the church that they will have light and love of the truth.
4. Pray for wisdom for fathers and mothers in the Church to be model examples and teachers of children and youths.
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