07-13-2019, 05:50 PM
LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Saturday, July 13, 2019.
WHY ALL PRINCES DON’T END AS KINGS
READ: 2 Samuel 15:1-6
MEMORISE:
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it, he went up to my couch (Genesis 49:3-4)
EXPOSITION
Under normal circumstances, a son grows to become a father, servants may end up becoming masters. Every number two is expected to become number one, all things being equal. However, this is not always the case, due to some factors.
Humanly, Absalom had everything it took to succeed his father as king of Israel – charisma, wit, ambition, favourable stature, plus a noble background (a renowned prince), yet, he could not attain the throne, due to his godlessness and some other unwholesome characteristics.
Though, he came through David’s loin, he was not like his father, in every sense. He sinned against his father. In like manner, Reuben was a prince, the firstborn of his father, Israel. However, because of his silly adventure, he lost all he could have become in the house of Israel (Gen. 49:3,4; cf. 1 Chro. 5:1ff).
As believers, God forbid, that our first becomes last in Christ, in Jesus’ name. What we are witnessing today is that many people who are frontline members in the church are gradually becoming backbenchers – spiritual retrogression. The love of so many is already waning (Matt. 24:12). Another reason is because, so many of them were never converted, in the first place. They started as pretenders. Christians who will reign with Christ, eventually, must go with Him all the way. Loyalty, focus, determination, devotion, allegiance are essential ingredients for those who would be given position of authority, both immediately and ultimately.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Every evil tendency to rebel against constituted authority; depart from my life, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, heal my heart and let my love for You be stronger.
3. Lord, help the subordinates to be loyal and faithful to their bosses, and we Christians to be loyal to Christ, our Master.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Nehemiah 2:2 – 4:12; Acts 13:29 – 13:50
Saturday, July 13, 2019.
WHY ALL PRINCES DON’T END AS KINGS
READ: 2 Samuel 15:1-6
MEMORISE:
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it, he went up to my couch (Genesis 49:3-4)
EXPOSITION
Under normal circumstances, a son grows to become a father, servants may end up becoming masters. Every number two is expected to become number one, all things being equal. However, this is not always the case, due to some factors.
Humanly, Absalom had everything it took to succeed his father as king of Israel – charisma, wit, ambition, favourable stature, plus a noble background (a renowned prince), yet, he could not attain the throne, due to his godlessness and some other unwholesome characteristics.
Though, he came through David’s loin, he was not like his father, in every sense. He sinned against his father. In like manner, Reuben was a prince, the firstborn of his father, Israel. However, because of his silly adventure, he lost all he could have become in the house of Israel (Gen. 49:3,4; cf. 1 Chro. 5:1ff).
As believers, God forbid, that our first becomes last in Christ, in Jesus’ name. What we are witnessing today is that many people who are frontline members in the church are gradually becoming backbenchers – spiritual retrogression. The love of so many is already waning (Matt. 24:12). Another reason is because, so many of them were never converted, in the first place. They started as pretenders. Christians who will reign with Christ, eventually, must go with Him all the way. Loyalty, focus, determination, devotion, allegiance are essential ingredients for those who would be given position of authority, both immediately and ultimately.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Every evil tendency to rebel against constituted authority; depart from my life, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, heal my heart and let my love for You be stronger.
3. Lord, help the subordinates to be loyal and faithful to their bosses, and we Christians to be loyal to Christ, our Master.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Nehemiah 2:2 – 4:12; Acts 13:29 – 13:50