DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 9 September 2024: Burn that Bridge
Text: Acts 19:13-20 (KJV)
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
KEY VERSE: Acts 19:19
“Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
It was a practice in Roman warfare to destroy bridges. Most times, the bridges were destroyed behind the Roman armies in order not to be able to beat a retreat in their fight against the enemy. It is said that the great Caesar commanded his legions to burn the bridges behind him after crossing the Rubicon in 49 B.C. It was a show of no retreat, no surrender.
According to our text, the new believers in Ephesus knew the importance of starting afresh. They confessed and brought evidence of their former lives. Those who used curious, magical and occult arts brought their books together and burned them publicly, indicating their newfound faith and total break from their past.
When a genuinely converted sinner decides to follow Christ fully, he must destroy any link that could take him back to the world. This is not an assurance of an easy new life but a confirmation of absolute faith in Christ. Sadly, some Christians today profess Christ and yet keep some of the curious arts and fetish items they once used while in the world. If you fail to burn the bridge that links you to the world, you may one day want to walk back on that same bridge to the world.
A truly converted person has no business looking back. Christ has paid it all and said, “It is finished.” Therefore, burn that bridge that once connected you to sin and Satan. All you need as a believer is in Christ – grace for righteousness and holiness, power to overcome temptations and trials, provision, protection, healing, health, mercy, favour, etc. Above all, God will give you the grace to follow Him until you see Him face to face.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Burn the bridge that links you to the world so you would not have to go back on it.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 1-2
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Daily Manna 9 September 2024
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