DCLM Daily Manna 19 May 2022 — The End Matters Most
DCLM Daily Manna 19 May 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The End Matters Most
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TOPIC: The End Matters Most (DCLM Daily Manna 19 May 2022)
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 16:1-14 (KJV)
1 In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2 Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
3 There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4 And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6 Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thine hand.
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.
13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
KEY VERSE: “And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign” (2 Chronicles 16:12, 13).
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
It is expected that the nearer a person is to the end of his life, the more effort he should put to obeying God and preparing for eternity. Instead, we find many people becoming more reckless in their living and at the end, dying in such an ignoble manner. Though they may have had a good start, they end up messing up everything.
Also Read: DCLM Daily Manna 18 May 2022 — Power Of The Gospel
Such was the case of King Asa. He started off as a God-fearing king. His good deeds and trust in the Lord earned him a peaceful reign and victories over formidable enemy nations. But at the end of his reign and life, he veered off from God. Instead of trusting God when he faced a threat from a less enemy nation, he looked up to another nation for help. When he was rebuked for his foolish act, he became furious against the prophet and imprisoned him. Asa became very oppressive and aggressive on the people. Even when he became diseased in his feet, he ignored God and sought help from ungodly physicians.
We must be careful not to end our lives as Asa did. It is not enough to start well; we must ensure we end well because that is what matters most. Believers must constantly gauge their lives to see that they do not decrease in the grace of God.
To end well, we must constantly have our eyes on the prize that is set before us. We must not allow anything to derail us. Lastly, we should seek more grace to run the race successfully.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
It is not enough to start well; it is far more important to end well!
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Samuel 20-22
Also Read: Open Heaven 19 May 2022 – The Seven Seals I
DCLM Daily Manna 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)
