DCLM Daily Manna 24 October 2023 — Chastened, Yet Dedicated
DCLM Daily Manna 24 October 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Chastened, Yet Dedicated
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Topic: Chastened, Yet Dedicated
Text: Numbers 20:14-22
15How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
16And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
17Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
18And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
19And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
20And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
22And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
Key Verse: “And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us” (Numbers 20:14).
Message
What is a Christian worker’s attitude after he is disciplined by the leadership for acts considered inappropriate? Does he plunge into a long season of sulking in reaction? Does he raise pockets of sympathisers to form an opposition among the congregation? Or does he break away to form his own assembly by claiming he has a call from God for a new fellowship centre?
Also Read: Open Heaven 24 October 2023 – The Purpose Of Prosperity
A chastened Moses took none of those steps. Staying at his duty post, though disciplined by the Lord, this humble messenger of God still obeyed divine directives. He continued serving, even if he was not pleased with the rod applied on him. He submitted to the will of God, knowing full well that His wisdom cannot be questioned. He also knew that his final destination was heaven, which could be denied him if he displayed a haughty and rebellious disposition.
Our reaction when shown the rod of correction determines the spiritual stuff we are made of. We miss the point when we do not take advantage of the period of chastisement to pray for the reordering of our lives for a higher realm of fruitfulness in the Kingdom. We should be joyful we have a loving Father, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 23 October 2023 — The Birth Of A Deliverer
Leaders like Moses and Aaron who were punished for their wrongdoings did not lose their place in the church because they saw the castigation as part of a divine plot to prepare them for a new phase of service. And God continued with them as they showed a mindset that echoed what the sweet psalmist of Israel said, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head…” (Psalm 141:5).
Thought for the day
Reproof from the Lord prepares one for higher realm of work for Him.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 7 – 9
Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2023 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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)
