ESOCS Devotional 16 August
TEXT: 1 Samuel 8: 1-22
MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.’” 1 Samuel 8:7
Israel rejected God from reigning over them at a point in time. They wanted to be like the other nations that did not know God. They wanted to be their own masters. They did it again when our Lord Jesus came (Luke 17:25). Our Lord also said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition” (Mark 7:9). They rejected Paul and Barnabas and the good news of God’s kingdom, which they preached; and so, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). That has been their story till today; and may be forever too; because they are part of the human race. The world has always rejected God: the God that created them. Rather, they choose to worship other gods: the dead gods, which in truth are not gods. They crave for things that do not please God than try to obey Him.
When we choose to live unholy life, we bring ourselves under strange masters. We deny the Lordship of Jesus over us. We reject His leadership. At that time, sin would have dominion over us and rule our hearts and minds (Rom. 6:14). But the scripture teaches us: “Do you not know, that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). We should submit ourselves completely at the feet of Jesus. He would lead us in the wisdom of the Father, like the Great and Good Shepherd that He is. At that place, we would obtain grace, mercy, and pardon. Nothing can harm us there. Our lives, our times, and our possessions would be secure. At the feet of Jesus, the glorious blood would trickle down upon us and heal us. Let us crave to be found there all the time; for He will show us the path of life; and we would find the presence of the Lord there, where there is fullness of joy; and at His right hand we would have pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Like the nation of Israel, many Christians crave for the things of the world from which they had been delivered (1 Pet. 2:9). In their hearts, they return to Egypt (Acts 7:39). Like the dog, they return to their own vomit; and like the pig that is washed, they go back to the mud (sin) and wallow there (2 Pet. 2:22). They do not allow the word of God to rule their hearts and minds, and change them. The Bible describes them as people who are at ease (Amos 6:1). They are there in all the churches worldwide. To them, attendance to church services has become a mere ritual. They sit and listen to the sermon but in actual fact, it makes no meaning to them. Some pick what they feel is convenient to them and discard the rest. The scripture says such people have had their hearts hardened against the word of God: “…having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:2). We should not be like them. When they entice us, let us just walk away.
CHALLENGES
- Are you sure that you have not rejected God by the things you do?
- Is your heart truly steadfast with God?
PRAYER POINT:
- Pray that the Good Shepherd may lead you to eternity with God in heaven.
FURTHER READING: Zechariah 8:1-10; 8:11-23; Romans 8:27-39; 9:1-15
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ESOCS Devotional 16th August
