Daily Manna 17 August
KEY VERSE: “And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” – (2 Chronicles 19:6,7)
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 19:1-11
1. And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
3. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4. And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5. And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6. And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do; for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
7. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren; this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11. And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters; also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
During swearing in ceremonies for public office holders in many parts of the world, such officers are usually reminded of their sacred responsibility to discharge their duties according to the rules of the land. They are made to pledge their allegiance to the constitution of the land and affirm their readiness to carry out their duties without fear or favour. But too often, we find most of these officers flout the vows they made and carry out their duties in the way that pleases them and not in the way prescribed by the laws of the land.
In swearing in the judges he had appointed in the land, King Jehoshaphat, in our text, made it clear to them that they were to judge the people as God’s vice regents. He is the Judge of all the earth and the human judges appointed over the lands are to act as representatives over His people.
As Christians, we must understand that we represent God in whatever office we may occupy, be it secular, political or religious. We are not to separate our Christian callings as lights of the world and representatives of Christ from our secular involvements. We must do our duties as though we are doing them for God. It is sad when we have those who are only Christians in the church but at home, places of work and neighbourhoods, they put on another identity and display untoward characters.
Has your conduct at work done any form of damage to your Christian testimony and the glory of God? Then, you must repent today. It is not too late to make a change and redeem your image. Where you have been unfair, unjust and corrupt, make necessary restitutions and resolve by the grace of God to always do the right thing all the time. Be conscious that you are God’s representative where you are!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Don’t misrepresent God; reflect His righteousness everywhere.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 25-29
Thanks for reading Today’s Daily Manna – Do It For God – by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi.
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Daily Manna 17 August 2020 Devotional
