DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 LOOKING BACK TO REMEMBER TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 16:1-12.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019

LOOKING BACK TO REMEMBER

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 16:1-12.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes" (DEUTERONOMY 16:12)._

During the wilderness experience of the children of Israel as they journeyed to Canaan, the Lord instituted some festivals to help His people remember His dealings with them.

The text today records some of the festivals and ceremonies the Lord commanded the children of Israel to observe as a way of commemorating some of the important events of their existence as a nation. One of such festivals was the feast of passover. This was to help the nation remember their captivity in Egypt and their miraculous deliverance. There was also the feast of the weeks. These festivals were not just to be mere religious observances but were meant to serve as sobering moments when they recalled their own captive state, helplessness and the wonder of God's miraculous Deliverance. These observances were supposed to elicit from them, an attitude of thankfulness and their resolve to remain faithful and loyal to God who had granted them this deliverance.

We too have some ordinances that the Lord has commanded us to observe. These are water baptism and the Lord's Supper which we also know as the Holy Communion. This ordinance is not to be seen as a mere religious observance or approached with a frivolous or carefree attitude. The Lord's Supper helps us to look back at Calvary with gratitude for what Jesus did for us on the cross and forward to heaven in anticipation of the glorious feast with the Lord at the last marriage supper. These help to put a check on our Christian life.

In doing this, we will ever remain grateful unto the Lord and will never think of wandering away from Him.

✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Never forget where you are coming from and where you are headed!

COVER TO COVER: 2 SAMUEL 1-2.

PONDER:

A day to always remember

*1. The day you were saved from Egypt: The passover day* vv1-8.
a. It was a specific year, month and day v1,3.
b. To the Christians, it is the day they got born again and delivered from sin (not birthday).
c. It is a time of special sacrifice of thanksgiving and giving to God v2.
d. It is a time when there is renewed consecration to God and complete separation from anything carnal and sinful (unleavened bread, I Corinthians 5:8) v4.
e. It should not be a time of pleasurable and hilarious celebration but a time of sober reflections and solemnity v8.
f. It is a time of spiritual fellowship of dining at the Lord's table vv5-8.
*Q* Do you know the day you got saved and are you yearly mindful of remembering it with thanksgiving and renewed consecrations?
*Q* Have you replaced this important day of your salvation with birthday celebrations that has no scriptural approval?
Never in the Bible was Israel to celebrate the day she was born as a nation except the day she was delivered from Egypt.
*2. The day of harvest* vv9-12.
a. This day started counting from the day of first harvest v9.
b. To Christians, it is the day we receive our salaries, profits or physical blessings.
c. It is a time of giving freewill offerings, including tithes, as an appreciation to God v10.
d. It is a day of rejoicing with your family members in the presence of God and giving to the needy and the poor v11. It is not a day of "showmanship".
*Q* Do you rejoice and give blessings to God and the needy when you are specially blessed of God?

HYMN: O what a wonderful day

Verse 1
O what a wonderful, wonderful day,
Day I will never forget!
After I'd wandered in darkness away,
Jesus my Saviour I met!
O what a tender, compassionate friend,
He met the need of my heart!
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling,
He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus
Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away,
And my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul.

Verse 2
Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God's family divine,
Justified fully through Calvary's love,
O what a standing is mine!
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came,
Took of the offer of grace he did proffer,
He saved me, O praise his dear name!

Verse 3
Now I've a hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time,
I have a future in Heaven for sure,
There in those mansions sublime.
And it's because of that wonderful day,
When at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From his precious hand I received.

PRAYER POINTS
1. Recall the day you got saved and spend time in praising the Lord. If you are not saved, ask God to make today your day.
2. Ask God to always help you to remember the day you got saved as outlined above.
3. Ask God to give you the grace not to be conformed to the world in worldly birthday celebrations.
4. Ask God for a grateful heart for all members whenever we receive blessings from God.