DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 …AND KISH BEGAT SAUL TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 9:35-44

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018

…AND KISH BEGAT SAUL

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 9:35-44

Key Verse: “And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal” (1 Chronicles 9:39)_

“When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become”. These words from Louis Pasteur who challenged us not to underestimate the potentials inherent in a child. No one can rightly predict the future of a child but parenting provides a very unique and unequalled opportunity to prepare today’s kids for tomorrow’s responsibilities.

Certainly, Kish, Saul’s father did not have the slightest premonition that his son, who did not in any way look different from other kids, would one day become the very first king of Israel. The pertinent questions are: would Kish have had any regret for the way he had brought up Saul? Would he have wished he had done better in training and preparing Saul for the eventual role he was to play in the history of Israel? Could it be that Saul’s eventual failure as king was linked to the way he was brought up?

The story of Saul’s life and the lives of so many leaders today who were once little children is a serious food for thought for parents, children handlers, teachers and others who have a measure of influence on children. We never can tell what the children we have opportunity to tend today will turn out to be tomorrow. One thing is sure: we have the greatest opportunity to shape the lives of these young ones and infuse in them those qualities that will make them ready for the duty that tomorrow will entrust on them.

As Christian parents, we should see it as a great opportunity to send into the world, change agents by moulding our children such that will influence their lives for the glory of Christ. We must not look down on today’s child no matter what seeming weakness he may have. No effort should be spared in building these great leaders of tomorrow.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is wisdom to prepare today’s child for what he may become tomorrow
COVER to COVER: DEUTERONOMY 14-16_

PONDER:
1. Can anything good come out of Gibeon? The Gibeonites were cursed to be "hewers of food and drawers of water" Joshua 9:23. Saul, by grace, live above the limitations of his environment and became king.
2. Even though a person is cursed by reason of birth, the new birth can cancel the curse.

HYMN: Never Give Up

1 Never be sad or desponding,
If thou hast faith to believe;
Grace, for the duties before thee,
Ask of thy God and receive.

Refrain:
Never give up,
Never give up,
Never give up to thy sorrows,
Jesus will bid them depart;
Trust in the Lord,
Trust in the Lord,
Sing when your trials are greatest,
Trust in the Lord and take heart.

2 What if thy burdens oppress thee;
What though thy life may be drear;
Look on the side that is brightest,
Pray, and thy path will be clear.
[Refrain]

3 Never be sad or desponding,
There is a morrow for thee;
Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness,
There with the Lord thou shalt be.
[Refrain]

4 Never be sad or desponding,
Lean on the arm of thy Lord;
Dwell in the depths of His mercy,
Thou shalt receive thy reward.
[Refrain]

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, remove every form of limitations on my life by reason of my birth.
2. Lord, give me power to live above all the limitations of my environment and people I am close to.
3. Lord, let not the only one life I am living be wasted or ended in defeat.
4. Lord, bless the generation of my children, both born and unborn.