DCLM Sincere Milk 15 February 2024 — The Bridge Builders
DCLM Sincere Milk 15 February 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Bridge Builders
Topic: The Bridge Builders
Text: 2 Samuel 11:7-16
7And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
9But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
12And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
Key Verse: “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” 2 Samuel 7:13
Message
A bridge is described as a structure erected across a river, road or other obstacles. The people that construct bridges are called civil engineers as they have been trained on how to build solid bridges. The purpose of building a bridge is to make movement easy for travellers. The engineers build bridges to connect people from one point to the other in another place. They help to establish connection between people. In the same way, a bridge-builder is a person who establishes friendly relations between parties. He also strives to maintain and preserve such relationships. This description best captures what happens in our Bible passage.
In our Bible passage, the Lord was speaking through Nathan the prophet to David that he would not build a house for Him, but his son Solomon would build the house. God then promised to establish the kingdom of Solomon forever. Therefore, it became the responsibility of Solomon to build a house for God. He became a bridge builder. The house would serve as a place of connection between God and the people. Today, you can become a bridge builder by ensuring that you lift up those that are fallen, lead sinners to Christ through the preaching of the gospel, encourage the discouraged and be a shining example of believer to those around you.
Further Reading: 1 Kings 6:14-38
Prayer for today Lord, use me as an instrument of peace and a bridge builder.
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)
