DCLM Higher Everyday 9 June 2024 — The Righteous Rechabites
Topic: The Righteous Rechabites
Text: Jeremiah 35:13-19
13Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.
15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.
16Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:
17Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
18And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:
19Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.
Key Verse: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? Saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 35:13).
Message
‘Drink a little wine’ was the instruction given by Jeremiah who had the status of a pastor to the Rechabites. But they refused. Though these children of Rechab knew Jeremiah as a prophet, they refused his insistent pressure to drink wine. They refused to compromise their conviction.
Sadly, today, unlike the Rechabites, many youths are easily influenced to do what is wrong and they find it difficult to say ‘no’. Worldly pleasures and allurements coming from friends at school, at home, in church and other places are forcing many youths to change their convictions.The word of God is clear on the stand we should take when suggestions to do evil come to us: “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Proverbs 1:10). Do not agree with evil doers as they would be punished by God at the end of time if they do not repent. God expects us to remain righteous like the Rechabites until the end of our lives.If you lack the power to say no to evil suggestions, seek God’s face for salvation from sin.
Quote: Do not agree with evil doers.
Challenge: Are you righteous?
Prayer for today: Holy Father, give me power to say no to temptations, in Jesus’ name.
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)
