07-04-2019, 03:04 PM
*CAC LIVING WATER*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Thursday, July 4, 2019.*
*TOPIC:*
*DON’T MODERNISE GOD’S WAY*
*Read 2 Samuel 6:1-8*
*MEMORISE*
*Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set (Proverbs 22:28).*
*EXPOSITION*
Modernization (civilization) is taking over every facet of human endeavours. Fields of human endeavour are being improved upon daily. This is a positive fulfillment of the Scripture (Dan. 12:4) – anticipated increase in knowledge. On the negative side, it has eaten deep into the fabrics of our relationship with God, both individually and corporately. But God is not “civilized”.
He cannot change, hence the unchanging nature of His standard, despite the changing nature of the world (Psa. 119:89-96; Heb. 13:8). We call that dynamism, but it has been taken too far in so many circles. It is good to do things in new and better ways, but beware lest you change the ancient landmark (standard) God has for what He has given us to do for Him.
The case of David bringing back the Ark of the Lord is a serious example. He was so excited being privileged to return the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:1,2), but made the terrible mistake of modernizing the divine order of carrying the Ark: he transported it on a new cart, in the Philistines’ manner (I Sam. 6:7,8), instead of allowing the sons of Kohath to carry it (Exo. 25:14,15; Num. 3:30,31).
What a great disaster that followed! (2 Sam. 6:6-8).
No wonder there are a lot of jamborees today in churches and programmes, everywhere, but there are little or no results in terms of quality and quantity. No wonder many disasters happen, even within the fold. When God’s standard of holiness, worship, dressing, music (not entertainment), carrying the Bible (hard copy) now makes you “odd”, marriage without divorce, etc. is tampered with, disaster is inevitable. Don’t modernize the standard of the unchangeable God.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, forgive us at every juncture we have tried to water down Your standard to gain more membership or make Your Gospel appealing to sinners.
2. Lord, help us to stop compromising Your holy standard.
3. Pray that God should open the eyes of those turning the Church into entertainment centres to see the dangers involved for themselves and others, and change accordingly.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Chronicles 26:10 – 29:13; Acts 8:17 – 8:38*
*HAVE A REMARKABLE THURSDAY.............. SHALOM*
*DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE*
*Thursday, July 4, 2019.*
*TOPIC:*
*DON’T MODERNISE GOD’S WAY*
*Read 2 Samuel 6:1-8*
*MEMORISE*
*Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set (Proverbs 22:28).*
*EXPOSITION*
Modernization (civilization) is taking over every facet of human endeavours. Fields of human endeavour are being improved upon daily. This is a positive fulfillment of the Scripture (Dan. 12:4) – anticipated increase in knowledge. On the negative side, it has eaten deep into the fabrics of our relationship with God, both individually and corporately. But God is not “civilized”.
He cannot change, hence the unchanging nature of His standard, despite the changing nature of the world (Psa. 119:89-96; Heb. 13:8). We call that dynamism, but it has been taken too far in so many circles. It is good to do things in new and better ways, but beware lest you change the ancient landmark (standard) God has for what He has given us to do for Him.
The case of David bringing back the Ark of the Lord is a serious example. He was so excited being privileged to return the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:1,2), but made the terrible mistake of modernizing the divine order of carrying the Ark: he transported it on a new cart, in the Philistines’ manner (I Sam. 6:7,8), instead of allowing the sons of Kohath to carry it (Exo. 25:14,15; Num. 3:30,31).
What a great disaster that followed! (2 Sam. 6:6-8).
No wonder there are a lot of jamborees today in churches and programmes, everywhere, but there are little or no results in terms of quality and quantity. No wonder many disasters happen, even within the fold. When God’s standard of holiness, worship, dressing, music (not entertainment), carrying the Bible (hard copy) now makes you “odd”, marriage without divorce, etc. is tampered with, disaster is inevitable. Don’t modernize the standard of the unchangeable God.
*PRAYER POINTS*
1. Lord, forgive us at every juncture we have tried to water down Your standard to gain more membership or make Your Gospel appealing to sinners.
2. Lord, help us to stop compromising Your holy standard.
3. Pray that God should open the eyes of those turning the Church into entertainment centres to see the dangers involved for themselves and others, and change accordingly.
*EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Chronicles 26:10 – 29:13; Acts 8:17 – 8:38*
*HAVE A REMARKABLE THURSDAY.............. SHALOM*