DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2025: Reverential Obedience
Text: 1 Peter 1:17-21 (KJV)
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 1:17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
Dr. David Livingstone was a Scottish physician and missionary who felt a deep calling to bring Christianity and medical care to Africa. He left the comfort zone of his native country in the United Kingdom and spent decades travelling from one part of the continent to another, treating the sick, and translating the Bible into local languages. He was compelled by his love for God, and obedience to Him. He was willing to pay the price for leading others to the gospel light and salvation. Livingstone’s unwavering faith and dedication to God’s message opened doors for missionary work, rescued many lives from diseases and death, and improved countless lives across Africa.
Apostle Peter’s exhortation, in today’s text, is a call to live a life of love and obedience to God which will compel us to sacrifice all to save others as demonstrated by Livingstone. The passage draws our attention to a very critical virtue that every Christian must demonstrate as we traverse this temporary space as pilgrims. It highlights the importance of living a life of obedience and righteousness and serving God faithfully. It also reminds us that the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation makes it clear that God does not support frivolous lifestyle and carelessness; nor does the Bible give license for the so-called universal grace that encourages the absence of godly fear in our conduct and relationships with others. Reverential obedience to God naturally makes Christians live an exemplary and godly life that attracts the commendation of heaven.
We are to “pass (spend) the time of [our] sojourning here in fear.” This means that we must obey God in everything, recognising His authority over our lives and the decisions we make. For this, we need to ask for His grace to live to please Him and strive always to be more and more like Christ. This way, our lives can be more fruitful and fulfilling.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Service to God without obedience to His word is worthless.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 6-7
Daily Manna 23 May 2025
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