*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 2020* *WICKEDNESS NEVER PAYS* *TEXT:* PSALM 10:12-18.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 2020*

*WICKEDNESS NEVER PAYS*

*TEXT:* PSALM 10:12-18.

_*🔑KEY VERSE* "Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it" (PSALM 10:13).

_

Eugène Marcel Proust, a French novelist and essayist, observed that "Prosperity of wicked men runs like a torrent past, and soon is spent." Life sometimes seems to play games on us. We are pressed from all sides and at such times, help is nowhere nearby. We seem forsaken. Worse still, all the signs that surround us appear to indicate that evil people are triumphing over us. Rather than become dispirited at such times, we should turn to God for solace.

The Psalmist, for a while, could not understand why those perpetrating acts of wickedness did not seem to have any check whatsoever on their evil deeds, or why God seemed so far away at such a time. But instead of yielding to discouragement and despondency, fear and failure, he quickly assured himself that no action is ever hidden from God. Even as the victim of evil acts, the Psalmist did not forget to cry out to God to show concern and act in defence of the humble. He pleaded with God to judge the wicked for all their evil acts, show Himself as the sovereign King who answers the prayers of the humble, defend the weak and put an end to oppression.

It has been proven that those who do wickedly do not triumph definitely. The scripture is replete with accounts of those who chose to be wicked and ended disastrously. There may be times when evil people fiercely attack us. Rather than helplessly allow ourselves to be assailed, we must remember at such times to trust in the Lord.

We must pray to Him to intervene on our behalf and hold the wicked accountable for their evil conduct. Even if it seems God is distant at such trying moments, we must never lose sight; He will arrive at the nick of time to rescue us.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* The wicked shall not be unpunished.

*COVER TO COVER* GENESIS 29-31.

*MEDITATION*

Prayer against wickedness in the land

1. God is a God of mercy (love) as well as judgement Jeremiah 9:24.
2. As wickedness multiply in the land, God will only act in answers to prayers of the saints v13.
3. When there is judgement, "the inhabitants of the land will learn righteousness" and will cease from evil and oppression v18.
*The prayer* v15.
1. "Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man" in the land🙏v15.
2. Lord, expose all the hiding places of the ritualists in the land and let them not escape the wrath of the law and judgment 🙏
3. Lord, let the ground of the terrorists in the land be slippery and let their strategies and weapons turn against them🙏
4. Lord, back up all the fight against corruption in the land and let them not escape the full wrath of the law no matter their connections 🙏
5. Lord, I demand and decree that all the strategies and weapons of war against the gospel of Christ in this country be destroyed and wasted🙏
6. Lord, arise and deliver the oppressed and the poor in the nation from the hands of their oppressors 🙏
*Note* Adapt the prayer points to the challenges in your country.

*HYMN* I must tell Jesus

1
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
*Chorus*
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
2
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
And in my griefs with me He will blend.
3
Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share,
4
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus; He will enable
Over the world the vic’try to win.