DCLM Higher Everyday 21 December 2023 — A Cry From Gibeon

DCLM Higher Everyday   21 December 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A Cry From Gibeon

Read all Previous DCLM Higher Everyday Devotionals

Topic: A Cry From Gibeon

Text: Joshua 10:1-6

1Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

2That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

3Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

4Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

5Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

6And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

Key Verse: “And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us” (Joshua 10:6).

Message

The men of Gibeon sent an SOS to Joshua when their lives were threatened. They recognized their limitations and knew when to seek help and where to get it. An SOS (originally meaning “save our ship” or “save our souls”) is a distress call or message sent when one’s life is in danger. Do you know the best way of getting help in an emergency wherever you are, or if a situation is an emergency, but is not life threatening? Most countries have toll-free numbers or helplines that you can dial when faced with emergencies which include: fire, accidents, fights or facing a person with weapons, sexual assault, drowning and medical emergencies.

You can enable and activate the Emergency SOS features in your smartphone to send a message with your current location to the emergency service. A timely SOS can save the situation and save someone’s life. Endeavour to learn the helplines applicable in your country. But before you call the helpline, don’t forget to call heaven and help will come shortly.

Quote: Don’t forget to call heaven.

Challenge: Do you know the helplines in your country?

Prayer for today: Hear me, O God, when I cry unto thee.

GOSPEL REALM: STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)