DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR W.F.KUMUYI, WEDNESDAY 22nd MAY 2019.
TOPIC: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
BIBLE TEXT: 1 Samuel 7:1-12
1. And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.2. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.3. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.4. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.5. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.6. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.7. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.8. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.9. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD; and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.10. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.11. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.12. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
KEY VERSE: – 1 Samuel 7:12.
“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.”
DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE FOR TODAY
Life is short. However long a journey is, it must surely come to an end. Most men wrongly hold that life will last forever only to discover in the long run it is like vapor seen one moment, yet evaporates the next minute.
The children of Israel had suffered much from the hands of the Philistines because of their sin. They were in bondage of fear. The Ark of the Lord captured by the Philistines had been released because of the wrath of God poured upon the idolaters. At Bethshemesh, the Lord had smitten the people and fifty-seven thousand died as a result of looking into the Ark of the Lord.
The men of Kirjathjearim came and fetched up the Ark and brought it into it the house of Abinadab, consecrating Eleazar, his son to keep the Ark. Looking back, the children of Israel were compassed about with so many occurrences of disaster, destruction and death. It was as if their future was bleak and hopeless.
Then Samuel came and preached repentance to them. They hearkened to him and returned to the Lord. Although the enemies that defeated them over the years came again, the Lord gave them a resounding victory.
Looking at your own life too, you might have passed through the valley of the shadow of death. Maybe the devil and his agents have been making life difficult for you in your family, academics and business. Don’t give up. “Prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve Him only and He will deliver you.”
God loves you. Jesus cares about you. Think of what the Lord has done for you. If the Lord has not abandoned you despite your many failings, indications are that He will perfect what He has started in you, once you make your calling and election sure.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Trials provoke triumphs which in turn midwife testimonies.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 3-5
DAILY MANNA devotional was shared via www.thedevotionals.com.ng
