DCLM Daily Manna 8 March 2026: Averting Divine Retribution
Text: Philippians 4:10-13 (KJV)
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
KEY VERSE: Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” – (Zephaniah 2:3).
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Retribution is nature’s law. Emperor Babur (1483-1530), founder of the Mughal dynasty of northern India, remarked that “if you have done ill, keep not an easy mind, for retribution is nature’s law”. This quote is a powerful reminder that doing harm will eventually result in a consequence, a form of natural justice or retribution.
In the passage today, we have a clear reflection of God’s righteous ways. He calls His people to gather to repent of apostasy before judgment. He also warns the enemy of His people of imminent retribution. The patriarch Abraham painted this perspective of God’s righteousness while pleading for Sodom and Gomorrah because of Lot, his nephew. He referred to God as the righteous Judge of the earth, who will not punish the righteous with the wicked. Speaking through Prophet Zephaniah, He warned Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron, principal cities of the Philistines, of His impending judgment coming upon them for their protracted disobedience. Canaan and the surrounding suburbs around the sea coast were equally not spared in this very direct prophecy of God’s judgement.
Generally, God warns men through various means before descending on them. He employs prophets, teachers, evangelists, and other tools to warn people of impending doom for contravening His laws. He forgives those who heed the warnings and turn from their wicked ways but punishes those who rebel and continue in their sins, because they heard but refused to turn unto Him.
God is no respecter of persons or nations. All who breach His covenant must repent without delay to avert His judgment. Every individual must turn to God from idols and evil, live righteously, resist oppressing the poor, and do justly. The righteous must not fail to cry aloud, warn sinners and backsliders to depart from sin and admonish the people of God to continue in godliness.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When it comes to divine wrath, there is no shelter outside of Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 10-12
DCLM Daily Manna 8 March 2026
