DCLM Daily Manna 17 October 2021 — When The Righteous Are In Power
DCLM Daily Manna 17 October 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — When The Righteous Are In Power
TOPIC: When The Righteous Are In Power (DCLM Daily Manna 17 October 2021)
📜 TEXT:2 CHRONICLES 14:1-15📜
1 So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:
3 For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves:
4 And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.
7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.
8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.
9 And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah.
10 Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11 And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.
12 So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
13 And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the Lord came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
🔑📖KEY VERSE: “Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered” (2 CHRONICLES 14:7).
Power and authority are conferred by God on people who are to exercise such privilege for the general good of the people and peaceful running of society. If such leaders would realise they are holding the power on God’s behalf, they would be seen to be dealing righteously and the people’s reaction would be a joyful fellowship.
Also Read: Open Heaven 17 October 2021 – The Unchangeable Changer
Asa’s reign witnessed a prolonged period of peace. The reason is not farfetched. “And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves” (verses 2, 3). Obedience brings blessing. All through the Bible, leaders who obeyed God and kept His commandment enjoyed His support and miraculous deliverances.
David knew the importance of following the Lord steadfastly and so admonished his son thus: “know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind…if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).
Today, leaders and members who are implicitly obedient to God’s word and instructions are in short supply. The reason is that some pastors and leaders no longer wait for true power through the Holy Spirit’s baptism. Little wonder there is upsurge in the founding of new churches. But King Asa faithfully served the Lord who gave him and Judah rest and they built and prospered. To have peace and prosperity, we must serve God sincerely with our various gifts and talents. Those who devote their time, mind and energy to serve Him shall be rewarded in the present life and all through eternity.
✍🏽THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Serve God with all your mind and reap endless joy and blessings.
📜THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ISAIAH 46-50📜
MEDITATION
EXPECTATIONS FROM CHRISTIANS IN GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS?
1. The mission of called Christians in Governance and Leadership
Politics has to do with the activities connecting with the governance of a country, area or organization. Asa, in the text, exemplified what is expected of a Christian in government. What are the expectations of a Godly leader?:
a. They are expected to ensure peaceful coexistence among different strata of the society, v1. They should not be agents of division even though they may come from different parties or locations.
b. They are to guarantee the security of their area against external aggressions and wicked people, vv1,6,7.
c. As representatives of God (Romans 13:1,4) they are expected to make laws and enforce godliness, moral conduct and obedience to the rule of laws “according to godliness”, vv2-4.
d. Their mandate is to discourage all forms of satanism, idol worship and ungodliness; and promote the fear and worship of the only true God, v5.
e. They must have the wisdom and passion that will make their subjects to enjoy all round prosperity, v7b.
f. The security network of their government must be developed to effectively tackle any aggression, both internal and external vv8-10.
g. The Christian in government must possess and retain spiritual dynamism, faith and closeness to God at all times, v11. This is no negotiable in this evil generation.
h. They must be courageous people who cannot be intimidated, threatened or weakened by challenges of governance or wicked oppositions, vv13-15.
2. Examples of Godly political leaders in the Bible and contemporary timss.
a. Even though Israel pracriced theocracy form of governance, the spirutual condition of any leader affected their performance.
b. The fact that righteous people like Joseph did not excuse themselves from the call to serve saved nations and lot of lives from famine and destructions. Believers in government can achieve more.
c. Daniel brought glory to God and universal worship of God during his time due to his righteous rule. Believers/Christians who are called and opportuned to be in position of Power and authority should seize this to do things that will promote the glory of God in the land?
d. The acclaimed No 1 nation in the world got to exceptional prominence because their founding fathers, who were Bible believing Christians, ruled according to Christian principles. Although ungodliness is changing the narratives.
3. The message for Believers in authority today
a. The main work of believers is to convert souls and prepare them for heaven.
b. Any mindset or passion that will not directly or indirectly bring this to realization is not for believers.
c. Christian in governance is just an aspect of bringing glory to God. Not every Christian is called to it just like other careers or professions.
d. Anyone who is called to it must have the passion for the mandate above and must be someone who has grace never to compromise his faith and has the ability to “revolt” against compromise and ungodly practices.
e. He must have the grace to stand alone for the right if need be.
f. He must possess the spiritual stamina to face and defeat any occultic and satanic inclinations of the godless politicians.
g. Heaven first and other things secondary must be their mindset.
h. Christians are called to be kings and priests unto God in earth and heaven. “Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven”.✅
PRAYER POINTS
1. Pray that God will give you a revelation of His call on your life with grace never to be distracted 🙏
2. Ask God that your passion and affection will be directed to God’s plan for your life🙏
3. Pray for divine help and protection for Christians in Leadership positions and governance at all levels in your country or church who are called to obtain grace and power.🙏
4. Pray that God will raise up men and women like Asa and Deborah for end time and prepare His church for the Millennial reign of Christ which will be a reign of absolute peace. 🙏
HYMN
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SINS
1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
2. Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold–
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.
Refrain
3. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
All who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Refrain
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)
