DCLM Higher Everyday 11 September 2023 — Right Attitude To Information
DCLM Higher Everyday 11 September 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Right Attitude To Information
Topic: Right Attitude To Information
Text: Nehemiah 1:1-10
2That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
4And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
5And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.
7We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
8Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
10Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
Key Verse: “And it came to pass, that when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4).
Message
In our text, Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah got information about the great affliction and reproach that had befallen the remnant of the Jews and the devastations in Jerusalem. His response to the news is a challenge to us as young Christians. He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Information technology with social media handles has made the world a global village and made the dissemination of information easier and faster. Without travelling outside your vicinity, information could be made handy.
Young Christians should explore the great advantages of information technology. Nehemiah did something with what he heard. He sought the face of God, for his intervention in matters concerning Jerusalem. It’s, however, surprising that instead of praying for God’s mediation concerning our nations, many give themselves to complaining and murmuring about their leaders. We can change the tide in our nations if we give ourselves continually to prayer and intercession for the land. With all you have heard and known, what are you willing to do for your nation? Pray for a positive change or spread fake news?
Quote: He sought the face of God
Challenge: Change ugly trends through intercession.
Prayer for today: Lord, baptize me with your Spirit of intercession for my nation.
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)
