DCLM DAILY MANNA 10 MARCH 2021 – WHEN GOD REFUSES TO LISTEN
TOPIC: When God Refuses To Listen (DCLM Daily Manna 10 March 2021)
TEXT: Lamentations 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.
3 Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day.
4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.
5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
6 He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old.
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
KEY VERSE: “Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer” (Lamentations 3:8).
MESSAGE:
The wrath of God is an expression of His righteousness, justice and holiness. When provoked by wicked behaviour of individuals, families and people, He refuses to listen. Unfortunately, rebellion, child abuse, pornography, rape, wickedness, stealing, corruption, violence, hatred, terrorism and serial killings are all over the place today. These wicked practices incur the wrath of Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Yet, He never forgets to show mercy, even to the undeserving.
Also See: OPEN HEAVEN 10 MARCH 2021 – BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS II
The lamentation of Jeremiah the prophet with special reference to our passage today furnishes us with the reward of sin and backsliding. It reveals the dark and cloudy periods of God’s chastisement of His people for transgressions. Though they had a special place in His heart because of His covenant with Abraham, Issac and Jacob, God never failed to punish them for their transgressions, except in cases where there was prompt repentance.
The punishment for sin of disobedience and repeated backsliding are heavy. This, we see in the prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed. He pours his complaints and anguished soul before the Lord. Sincere prayer and confession of sin from a contrite heart for reestablishing of cordial relations with the Lord always result in mercy and pardon from God.
Today, our hopeless or helpless situations can be changed when we open up to God in penitence and sincere repentance. It is only then that He will listen from heaven and heal our land. Whatever affects your life, be it sorrow, affliction or heavy burden, take it to the Lord in prayer. Men may be too little to solve our great problems; God is never too big to handle our smallest troubles and trials.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Sincere repentance opens the door of mercy.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 8-10
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso 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)
