DCLM Higher Everyday 26 March 2023 — He prayed but too late
DCLM Higher Everyday 26 March 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — He prayed but too late
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TOPIC: He Prayed But Too Late.
Text — Luke 19:19-31
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
Key Verse: “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this place” (Luke 16:24).
Message
Death is a spoiler because it ends all opportunities to read, sing, acquire education, labor, pray or serve the Lord in any area of Christian ministry. Your spiritual state at death matters a lot as it determines your eternal destiny.
No prayer by yourself or loved ones on earth can change your destiny after death. It would have been too late as was the ‘Rich Man’ case in our Bible text. Casey Treat wrote, “All who reject Jesus will die and suffer eternal death. Dying physically is not bad or tragic. The tragic part is when you die spiritually. Spiritual death is eternal separation from the Father, no contact with God for eternity.”
The Rich Man in our text did not watch or remember Jehovah God in his happy days. He forgot to surrender his life and all he had to God for His service. He was more concerned about his life, what to eat or drink; about his body, what to wear; and living fabulously. Reality only dawned on him when he found himself in the burning hellfire.
Quote: Your spiritual state at death matters
Challenge: Be always heaven-conscious.
Prayer for today: Lord, always draw me closer to you.
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)
