DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 ALL-ROUND SAFETY TEXT: NEHEMIAH 4:7-23 Key Verse: “In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:7-23)_

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

ALL-ROUND SAFETY

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 4:7-23

Key Verse: “In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us” (Nehemiah 4:7-23)_

The story is told of a mother and her four year old daughter who were preparing to retire to bed at night but were afraid of what might happen during the night. As lights were turned off, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window. “Mother”, she asked, “is the moon God’s light?” “Yes,” said the mother. She continued, “Will God put out His

light and go to sleep.” The mother replied, “No my child. God never goes to sleep.” Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said something that revived the mother’s faith and reassured her of God’s abiding protection. “Well, as long as God is awake, there is no need for any of us to stay awake.”

Sanballat and Tobiah were not happy that the broken walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt; hence, they attempted to stop the work using fear, threats and arms. Nehemiah encouraged the people to trust the Lord to fight for them. God proved Himself and the counsels of the enemies were brought to nought.

Storms come to life through wrong associations, wrong counsel and evil sowing. These storms come in the form of persecutions, sickness, barrenness, delay in marriage, etc. You must be a person of purpose to go through the storms of life.

Believers should take solace in the assurance of: His presence with us (Acts 27:23); His possession of us (1 Peter 2:9); His Programme for us (John 12:24-26); His purpose for us (Acts 23:11; 16:25); His Protection for us (Acts 16:25,26); His Promise to us (Acts 27:24b; Hebrew 10:23); and His Power over us (Acts 27:25); Isaiah 63:9). To enjoy all-round safety, come to Jesus, confess your sins and accept Him as Lord and Saviour.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In Christ alone dwells the fullness of grace and glory

COVER to COVER: 1 Samuel 21-24

PONDER:When self defence becomes wisdom

1. By the king's command and letter, the Ammonites and "the governors beyond the river" suppose to give Jews adequate protection. 2:7-10.
2. Instead of giving the Jews protection, they were planning to hinder and exterminate them v11.
3. Nehemiah, in addition to faith in God, did not loose his senses. He made arrangement for the protection of his people since the government of the day failed to do so v20,21.
4. Note that Nehemiah did not deliberately go to battle the adversaries, rather he made a "vigilante" kind of arrangement and continued with the work of God.
5. Believers are expected to make adequate arrangement for their security and safety even though we are not expected to hate, retaliate and fight individuals.

HYMN: Anywhere with Jesus (GHS 55)

1. Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go;
Anywhere He leads me in this world below;
Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade;
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Refrain:
Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know;
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

2 Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone,
Other friends may fail me, He is still my own;
Though His hand may lead me over dreary ways,
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise. (Refrain)

3 Anywhere with Jesus over land and sea,
Telling souls in darkness of salvation free;
Ready as He summons me to go or stay,
Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way. (Refrain)

4. Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep,
When the dark'ning shadows round about me creep;
Knowing I shall waken never more to roam,
Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.
(Refrain)

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Praise and appreciate God because He neither sleep nor slumber and His protection for you is 100% guarantee.
2. Pray that God will give you wisdom not to be careless with personal and corporate security at this time of insecurity.
3. Pray that God will expose, scatter and neutralise the activities of kidnappers, ritualists, religious fanatics and murderers in this nation.
4. Pray that the wisdom and the weapons of the Sanbalats and Tobiahs against the church in this nation will be destroyed.