DCLM DAILY MANNA 2 MARCH 2021 – NO TRIUMPH FOR THE WICKED
TOPIC: No Triumph For The Wicked (DCLM Daily Manna 2 March 2021)
TEXT: 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (KJV)
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
KEY VERSE: “Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.” – (2 Samuel 1:20)
MESSAGE:
There are tragedies we must not allow to happen. This is why we must be on our guard at all times, lest the devil take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11). The death of King Saul and his sons – especially Jonathan – was an avoidable disaster in Israel. Had Saul maintained his earlier good relationship with God and retained the likes of David in his army, he would not have plunged himself and Israel into the calamity they eventually experienced.
David knew the extent of damage the defeat of Israel by the Philistines and the death of Saul had caused the nation. He lamented: “How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle!” (2 Samuel 1:25). The tragedy of Israel’s defeat was a distressing news for him seeing the outcome of that battle might have been different had he been involved. But God kept David away so that rebellious King Saul and his household would be removed from His sight.
Nobody has ever hardened himself against God and prospered (Job 9:4). King Saul made intentional and embarrassing blunders a number of times against divine instructions and did not seek restoration of relationship with God through humility, repentance and total return to Him. He wished off all faults of his, even when they were clearly pointed out to him.
We must not harden our hearts against God and His will or run after the treasures of this life while neglecting the Giver of all privileges. The consequences are grave.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
No gain in ignoring God.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Leviticus 12-14
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)
